About us!
Therapist
Michaela Uttley (she/her), MS, LPC, CCTP
Michaela 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.
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, playing guitar, writing/reading poetry, and spending time in nature.-particularly the mountains. She is also attuned to both human and animal Reiki and offers Reiki sessions as a complementary practice to support overall well-being.
Therapist
Darby Pistilli (she/her), MS, LPC, CCTP
From the time she was twelve, Darby’s career goal 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.
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!
Guinea Pig Partner
Cynthia (she/her)
Cynthia is one of Darby’s guinea pigs! She was rescued at 7 weeks old with her fellow herd mate, Charlotte! Cynthia lives in a herd of 7 guinea pigs. Cynthia joins in on some of Darby's virtual appointments. She is trained to model behavioral trauma responses and assists in co-regulation. She is also chronically ill, so she is also able to showcase how to adapt skills to fit one’s needs.
Cynthia has a BIG personality. Cynthia loves exploring with her fellow guinea pigs, especially her sister Charlotte (they have let themselves out of their enclosures a time or two). She also loves playing with her toys and sleeping in cozy hides. Her favorite foods are cilantro, apples, and pea flakes!
Overall, Cynthia is one of Darby's most bubbly and chaotic guinea pigs who radiates pure happiness and curiosity
Equine Partner
Nora (she/her)
Nora’s journey to her forever home was marked by resilience and transformation. Originally from Europe, she was once valued for her potential as a competitive jumper. However, following an injury that prevented her from continuing at higher levels, her previous owners chose to sell her. She was brought to America with hopes of becoming a broodmare, but after experiencing a pregnancy loss, she was sold again.
That’s when Michaela found her and gave her the safe, loving home she had always deserved. Now, Nora plays a special role in equine-assisted therapy and learning sessions. With her grounded and nurturing presence, she supports clients as they explore themes such as co-regulation, attunement, relational safety, consent, and healing from long-held attachment wounds. Her energy is often described as motherly and comforting, with just the right amount of sass to keep things interesting.
Nora also has a fondness for snacks! Some of her favorite treats include apples, carrots, bananas, ginger snaps, cinnamon-sugar Poptarts, and peppermints.