About us!
Therapist & Co-Founder
Michaela Uttley (she/her), MS, LPC, CCTP
Michaela is the co-founder of Whole Hearted Healing. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with a longstanding passion for equine-assisted therapy. Her early love for horses evolved into a meaningful avenue for healing and personal growth, ultimately shaping her path toward a career in counseling.
Michaela specializes in integrating equine-assisted psychotherapy with traditional counseling methods. She draws on extensive training in Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems, and Natural Lifemanship to support clients in navigating relational trauma and emotional wounding. In addition to her work in equine settings, she offers in-office interventions that include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic experiencing as well as EMDR intensive therapy.
Her clinical focus includes the treatment of trauma, PTSD/cPTSD, and eating disorders. Michaela is committed to fostering safe, attuned therapeutic relationships as a foundation for lasting healing and transformation.
Outside of her professional work, Michaela enjoys exploring new music, writing/reading poetry, and being in the mountains. You are most likely to find her at the horse farm, though! She is also attuned to both human and animal Reiki and offers Reiki sessions as a complementary practice to support overall well-being.
Therapist & Co-Founder
Darby Pistilli (she/her), MS, LPC, CCTP
Darby is the co-founder of Whole Hearted Healing. From the time she was twelve, Darby’s dream was to be a therapist. She found herself searching the internet tirelessly in an attempt to absorb all of the information that she possibly could, never fully knowing her dream would one day come to life.
Several years and life experiences later, she found herself pursuing that dream of being a therapist. Through time, she found the modalities she is most passionate about today: EMDR, attachment theory, internal family systems, and somatic experiencing. Darby’s specialty areas include: trauma, PTSD/cPTSD, eating disorders, addiction, PANS/PANDAS.
In her free time, Darby loves spending her time with her guinea pigs, friends, crafting, and playing her guitar. She also hangs upside down in her free time and is an aerial arts instructor!
Visit Darby’s author page here
Tahseen is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) who is passionate about supporting individuals through their healing journeys. She began her studies in Psychology at the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, and later earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University.
She works with clients experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), grief, and relationship challenges. As an EMDRIA-trained EMDR therapist, Tahseen integrates this approach with other evidence-based methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). She has also completed CBT training through the Beck Institute, strengthening her ability to support clients with complex concerns.
Tahseen’s approach centers on providing a supportive and culturally sensitive space where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered.
Outside of her professional work, Tahseen enjoys journaling, taking walks, and exploring new places (especially historical places). These personal interests reflect her belief in inner reflection, growth, and curiosity, which she brings into the counseling process.
She is fluent in both English and Urdu languages, and she is dedicated to making therapy accessible and meaningful for clients from diverse backgrounds.
Tahseen ur Rehman, MS, LAPC, NCC
Therapist
Danica Flinchbaugh, MA, NCC, LPC
Therapist
Danica is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has a passion for making meaningful connections and supporting others on their journey toward healing. She specializes and uses a Cognitive- Behavioral approach in addressing anxiety, depression, emotional/mood difficulties, grief and chronic illness. Danica values building strong therapeutic relationships and strives to create a safe, compassionate space where clients can gain clarity, understanding and peace in their lives.
In her down time, she enjoys reading murder mysteries, going plant shopping, being with close friends & family along with her Golden Retriever, Josie.