Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole.
Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My professional journey began at an early age. At just 19, I felt a clear calling from God to serve children and women, a calling that would shape the course of my life. This led me to spend several years volunteering both internationally and locally in human trafficking rehabilitation centers, domestic violence shelters, and orphanages. These experiences planted the foundation for my deep commitment to advocacy, healing, and justice.
After earning my master’s degree in clinical counseling, one of the most formative chapters of my career began when I became a child sex trafficking crisis response advocate. Walking alongside survivors profoundly reshaped my understanding of trauma and the complexity of healing. I witnessed firsthand how many of the children I served struggled in traditional office-based therapy settings.
However, many of the children were willing and even excited to try alternative approaches such as equine therapy. In search of these services for my kiddos, I became aware of a major gap. Access to specialized, holistic services for this population was limited.
Recognizing this need, a realization began to unfold. I already had the pieces to help fill that gap. I was a professionally licensed counselor with extensive experience working with vulnerable populations. In addition, I had a four-acre ranch that was home to a herd of my rescued horses. It was in that intersection of calling, experience, and environment that The Therapy Ranch was born. A place where trauma-informed counseling, nature, and animals come together to offer safety, connection, and hope.
Today, I partner with nonprofit organizations and serve families in the community. I am continually moved by the quiet, powerful healing that happens when compassion leads the way and people are met exactly where they are.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all.
To develop a truly multidimensional and professional perspective, experience is essential. My experience was formed while witnessing some of the darkest realities within our city. Seeing the pain children endure was both heartbreaking and life-altering. Along the way, I learned the critical importance of strong self-care and a solid support system. While we are trained and equipped to hold space for difficult stories, we are also human, and we feel the weight of that pain too.
I am deeply grateful for the hands-on experiences that shaped me, as they were essential in preparing me to do this work with integrity and effectiveness. Building an equine psychotherapy practice has brought its own set of profound responsibilities. Caring for horses is demanding work however caring for rescue horses can extend the demands. Each of our horses carries a story and trauma of their own. Earning their trust has taken years of patience, consistency, and compassion.
While the work is hard, it is also incredibly rewarding. Watching both people and horses rediscover safety, trust, and healing inspires me daily. I learned, as one local nonprofit once said so beautifully, “We can do hard things with soft hearts.” That phrase continues to guide everything I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Therapy Ranch is a counseling private practice specializing in equine-assisted psychotherapy and nature-based counseling for children, teens, families, and individuals impacted by trauma. Our work is deeply rooted in trauma-informed, experiential approaches, with a specialized focus on at-risk youth, including survivors of child sex trafficking and complex trauma.
What sets The Therapy Ranch apart is its commitment to serving vulnerable and often overlooked populations, including teens, survivors of trafficking, and families navigating complex trauma. Programs are intentionally designed to prioritize safety, dignity, and emotional connection.
Healing at The Therapy Ranch extends beyond individual sessions. Through parent–teen programs, workbooks, and community trainings, we equip families and professionals with practical tools that support long-term growth.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of my favorite books helpful to equine psychotherapy is Horse Brain, Human Brain, which explores the neuroscience behind the human–horse connection. Ongoing education and research are essential in this field. In order to have safe, ethical and effective work, I highly recommend future equine psychotherapist seek hands-on learning experiences in working with horses.
For those interested in supporting child survivors of trafficking, I highly recommend Traffick 911. This nonprofit provides specialized training, resources, and volunteer opportunities in the DFW area. They are the only organization in North Texas dedicated exclusively to child trafficking initiatives and play a critical role in survivor advocacy and education.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thetherapyranch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetherapyranch?igsh=cjN1N2g4MTZhejYy&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FoE9L1aCt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Photos except profile photo are credited to Photographer: nleeimages
