The HEAL Team
Leigh Shambo, MSW, LMHC
Leigh Shambo is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a full time practice at the HEAL Ranch in Chehalis, Washington USA. Leigh is widely recognized for authoring HEAL-sponsored research on Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and is regularly invited to teach and facilitate throughout the US, Canada and Europe. Formerly a professional horse trainer, Leigh discovered that the horses could be teachers in their own right, when tragedy required her to face a journey of emotional healing.
HEAL news release about President and Lead Therapist Leigh Shambo.
Read about research funded by HEAL and conducted by Leigh Shambo into the efficacy of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
A collection of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning (EFPL), human-equine psychology, natural horsemanship, and related equine and equestrian articles published by Leigh Shambo.
David Young
David Young is a researcher, scientist and horse trainer with HEAL who has studied EFPL extensively. David has started several colts from scratch and he has developed a unique training approach for therapy horses that honors instincts, enhances limbic connectivity, and develops their capacity for seeking, problem solving and communication with humans. David’s strength as a researcher and interest in heart-based biofeedback informs the HEAL Model™ of EFPL with the latest discoveries in the neuroscience of emotional and relational functioning in humans. David serves as an equine specialist for groups, and for marital or family sessions. Leigh and David, who are married, frequently work as a team in Leigh’s full time EFPL practice and in HEAL therapy groups and workshops.
Ricki Martin, BS
HEAL Operations Manager Ricki Martin supports HEAL clients and students from their first contact with HEAL and beyond. A graduate of Stephens College with a BS in Equestrian Business Management, Ricki is truly an invaluable “Jill of all trades” for HEAL. Ricki works directly with the horses as herd manager, and is assisted in barn and grounds duties by Khrista Engelhardt.
As administrator of the HEAL office, Ricki handles inquiries and registrations, maintains the website, helps publish the quarterly newsletter and assists HEAL graduates with their listing on the HEAL website and other ongoing communications support. In her free time – guess what?—she rides and also breeds her own herd of quarter horses. Ricki’s HEAL email address is ricki@humanequinealliance.org and she is happy to help with any HEAL inquiries or scheduling.
