Just a handful of years ago, Elizabeth Wise had no idea that she’d grow such a passion for horses, but she’s now starting 2026 as a newly licensed clinical mental health counselor specializing in equine therapy at Walk With Me Healing Steps, a Conover-based nonprofit.
Walk With Me Healing Steps, located at 4170 LB Propst Drive in Conover, has a mission to provide equine-assisted and nature-based mental health and wellness services. Founder Jennifer Brandy started the organization in 2017.
Wise first got involved with the organization a few years ago when a woman who was babysitting her son at the time suggested taking both their daughters to the local farm to ride horses.
While there, Wise overheard Brandy on the phone, talking about what the nonprofit does.
“At that time, I had a little boy that I was getting ready to adopt, and I was very interested in trauma and how it affects the brain and how to help, because he had a lot going on,” Wise said.
After speaking with Brandy, she learned the organization was in a bit of a lull, so she offered to spearhead a Christmas event at the farm, which was a big success.
She and her children then began visiting the farm more often to interact with and ride the horses, which she said benefitted her kids greatly.
“My older son came to get services, he was struggling with some behavioral things, and he loved the horses,” Wise said. “Then I watched my daughter. She was kind of depressed and anxious, and just her being around the horses in general, she transformed into this whole different person.”
At the time, Wise had a bachelor’s degree in sociology and was working as an early intervention specialist. But she ultimately decided to pursue her master’s to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor, graduating in December.
She’s also working to become Natural Lifemanship-certified.
“At our farm, we partner with our equine partners to explore how we show up in relationships, with ourselves and with others,” Wise said. “Horses offer immediate, honest feedback, and help clients build awareness around boundaries, communication, emotional regulation and trust.”
Wise said she’s aware it may sound silly to think equine therapy can be life changing, but until people experience it, they won’t get it.
Most of the work they do is ground-based, building relationships with the horses and interacting with them. There is also a riding piece, calling rhythmic riding, which Wise said is not for everyone, as it requires the rider to give up control and focus on themselves and their senses.
“People that you would never know that it would affect them the way it does, they just break down crying,” she said.
To participate in equine therapy, no riding experience is required, and office-based sessions are available for those who prefer that setting.
Wise said her style is warm, collaborative, strengths-based and person-centered.
Wise is also working to become credentialed with major insurance companies, but for now, she accepts self-pay clients only. However, other providers are available who can accept insurance. The cost is $200 for intake and $165 per session.
“If you are ready to hear it, and you’re ready to make changes, the awareness that (the horses) bring forward is immediate, because there’s no judgment,” Wise said. “They’re just reacting within the relationship. So, whatever you bring into the arena is what they’re responding to.”
Walk With Me Healing Steps also provides free services to veterans, including one-on-one sessions and workshops, made possible through grants and community support, Wise said.
“Therapy with me is not about ‘fixing’ you, it’s about understanding your story, building insight and developing tools to create healthier, more connected relationships,” Wise said.