HERD Institute

JULIA ALEXANDER, LCSW

Dr. Megan McRae is a clinical psychologist currently working in Northern New York. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and has been integrating equine facilitated psychotherapy groups into her practice for the past three years, as well as integrating animal assisted therapy through therapy dogs into her practice for the past 10 years. Megan graduated from The HERD Institute Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy program in 2018 and specializes in working with adolescents in rural communities. She also offers workshops in pet loss and grief. 

Rebecca Hubbard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Texas. Rebecca has over two decades of experience working with adults, children, and families who have experienced trauma. Rebecca’s clinical experience spans working in clinics, in-home, and community settings, as well as a first responder providing psychological first aid to individuals and families who witnessed or were victims of violent crime or experienced a natural disaster. Rebecca has also provided various training in assessing and treating individuals who have experienced trauma and training and supervision in specific treatment models, such as Natural Lifemanship, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Child Parent Psychotherapy. Rebecca is an affiliate member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and co-owner of Pecan Creek Ranch, an equine assisted psychotherapy and learning facility in Georgetown, Texas.

Erica started working with PBJ Connections in May 2014 as an equine intern while enrolled in The Ohio State University's animal sciences program. She provided support in sessions while learning about the EAGALA therapy model. When her internship ended, she contracted as an equine specialist to continue working with PBJ Connections. In January 2015, she became the Assistant Director. 

Erica also has an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Certification through PATH International. As a Ohio State University graduate, she participated in the 2019-2020 Ohio State Young Alumni Academy to focus on leadership.

Erica has been focused on developing skills to elevate the voices of the horses in sessions and encouraging professionals in the field create more equal relationships with equine cofacilitators. She hopes to continue to be involved in more research of equine assisted therapy as a way to help others heal beyond Central Ohio.

Charlotte Surface is an Equine Specialist at Horse Sense of the Carolinas, with a Bachelors of Social Work from Warren Wilson College. She is EAGALA certified, is in the process of being certified in TF-EAP through Natural Lifemanship, and is a Parelli Level 1 graduate. Charlotte works with a wide range of populations at Horse Sense and is most passionate about supporting queer women and youth on their journey to finding healthy and connected relationships with themselves and others.

Terry Chase, ND, MA, RN, CEIP-ED is a Professional Coach-Speaker-Author. Dr. Chase is Associate Professor, Nursing-Mental Health at Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colorado and has introduced over 100 BSN students to the EFL experience. Terry is HERD Institute EFL Level 1 graduate and is a self-motivated, highly educated individual living fully with spinal cord injury for 30 years active in all things outdoors.

Internationally-recognized author, educator, and experiential psychotherapist, Leif Hallberg, has made it her life’s work to explore the myriad of health benefits that can be gained from engaging in respectful, relational, and mindful interactions between horses (and other animals), humans and the natural world. As an innovator, pioneer, and leading expert in the area of equine-assisted mental health and equine-assisted learning, Leif has developed a reputation over the past 20+ years for her broad-reaching and objective study of the industry, her scholarly rigor, her passion for equine welfare, and her unwavering dedication to ethical practice and increasing provider competency. Her books are used by colleges and universities around the world as teaching texts, and professionals consider them essential resources for research and clinical practice. Leif offers personal and professional development training, consultation, supervision, and coaching services.