Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Cleveland
Hi Justine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been very much being led and following my desire to help others. I found myself as a child helping others in 4-H club and church and any little animal I found that needed me. My love for animals, especially horses, started very young as well. There are definitely those little girls who have a connection to horses and never really grow out of the “horsey girl” phase. That was me! In my professional path I started pursuing social work because of wanting to serve those in need. That degree led me eventually to clinical social work and providing therapy. After many years doing intensive in-home therapy for families, I felt the call of the horse again very strongly. I was feeling burnt out and in need of care for myself. It is funny that those who help others often avoid helping themselves. Horses allowed me to care for myself in their presence and I knew this is what my clients needed as well. I started a private practice partnering with horses after much research on a model of therapy that fit well with my values. Horses have a way of supporting and healing that I feel in session as well and I have not looked back on burnout since. I am four and a half years into that practice and love it more everyday! I am honored to help others heal through trauma and find connection with themselves and others that they may have never had.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business is very hard and makes you look at your sense of trust. When funding sources were talking longer than expected to come together it was hard to trust that this is journey was meant for me. My perspective is, I trust that God has put me on this path for a reason. Every time I challenge myself to do something new in my business I feel old beliefs being stripped away as I grow. That can be painful of course! As an example I am starting to branch into the world of retreats and community healing events. Doing something new is hard and doesn’t always go “perfect.” Using those challenges as opportunities to grow is the key.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wholehearted Herd Counseling, LLC?
I provide equine-assisted psychotherapy to individuals struggling with relationships and trauma. In my practice I have horses as partners. They have their own voice, choice, and personhood that we respect and value. This may set me apart from other kinds of equine therapy where the horses are made to preform certain tasks for the client. I believe that process of making requests is important for the client to embody and the horse has the right to have a voice in that process. In addition to individual therapy, I have a group for mothers parenting children who’ve experienced trauma. So much of the nervous system is changed for those children that more attuned, therapeutic parenting is needed. However our own wounds and old ways of parenting can get in the way (I am speaking from personal experience as an adoptive mother myself). The group is centered on self-compassion and filling our own “cups” to then pour into our children. Retreats and meditation nights are another offering I am excited about that I offer seasonally and for organizations who reach out. I love blending mindful horse interactions with creative invitations to explore personal growth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe “luck”, blessings, and strong intentions are all speaking the same language of describing a connection to a force higher than ourselves. For me that has been tapped into through a daily prayer practice and gratitude. I also set intentions for my business and day through spiritual practices like recharging in nature and wearing crystal gems that represent a reminder for me to think on as often as I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.wholeheartedherdcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholeheartedherdcounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wholehearted-Herd-Counseling-LLC/100035421536357/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/wholeheartedherd
Image Credits
Delta Rae Photography