Shannon Brock, LCSWR, Director, Clinical Supervisor, She/Her/Hers

Natural Lifemanship Level 2 Trained; Certified Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist

Shannon is a licensed therapist who formed Adirondack Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, LCSW, in 2014, alongside Jim and Sue Hooper of Haven Oaks farm. Shannon’s approach is holistic, supportive, and client-centered. Shannon offers an eclectic, somatic, attachment-based approach to therapy, and specializes in the treatment of trauma and recovery from narcissistic abuse. Shannon is a two-time breast cancer survivor and offers insight and compassion to clients who have also dealt with breast cancer.

Kathleen Durivage, LCSWR, Clinical Supervisor, She/Her/Hers

Kathleen is a recently retired school social worker of 20 years from a public middle school.  Prior to this, she worked almost 20 years within the foster care system, providing case work and counseling services in residential care facilities.  Kathleen brings her robust clinical experience to the Adirondack EAP team as a clinical supervisor to support LMSWs on the staff. In her free time, Kathleen enjoys traveling, reading, being active, and spending time with friends and family.

Emily Sherman, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Emily specializes in treating anxiety, depression, life transitions, mood disorders, interpersonal relationship conflict, stress management, and trauma. She utilizes various treatment modalities based on the individual client’s needs. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, supportive therapy, among others. Emily’s goal is always to help clients feel safe and supported, with lots of tools and strategies to bring into their everyday life. Emily offers a warm, non-judgemental space for clients to grow and heal by utilizing a positive, holistic, collaborative, strengths-based approach.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Alyssa Fountaine, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Alyssa has a lot of experience working with both kids and adults. She specializes in helping people with anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, ADHD, stress management, parental separation, exploring gender identity, grief and loss, exploring sexuality/gender, trauma, and challenging life transitions. Alyssa has specialized training in working with people with Autism and enjoys working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+.

Alyssa believes in a person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach with strong values of empathy, compassion, and collaboration. She utilizes an eclectic mix of therapeutic interventions, tailored to a client’s individual needs, including CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Erin Murray, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Erin specializes in treating adults, adolescents, and children with concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress management, trauma, life transitions and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Erin uses a compassionate, strengths-based person centered approach utilizing a mix of treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution focused therapy. Erin believes in an empathic, trauma informed approach and in creating a safe non judgemental space for clients to process, heal, and grow.  Erin works collaboratively with clients to support them in exploring their experiences and emotions and to empower them in learning new skills to help manage life stressors. Erin has worked in sexual assault and domestic violence victim advocacy, home based family visiting programs, forensic social work, community mental health, and school based settings.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Josie Moore, LMSW, Therapist, She/They/Their

Josie’s areas of focus include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, PTSD, trauma, identity exploration, ADHD and autism in both children and adults, and exploring the self within family systems. They are committed to creating a supportive and affirming space for individuals from all walks of life, with a focus on those who grew up, or are still living in, rural communities. Whether you are navigating identity exploration, processing trauma, or seeking guidance through life’s transitions, Josie’s goal is to meet you where you are and help you uncover your strengths and potential. Josie draws from a variety of therapeutic modalities to support my clients, including equine assisted psychotherapy, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, strength-based therapy, trauma-informed care, and family systems therapy.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Kirsten Spero, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Kirsten warmly welcomes children, teens, and adults to her practice. She enjoys working with people experiencing grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and everyday stressors. Kirsten utilizes many therapeutic interventions, including supportive therapy, CBT, emotional freedom techniques (EFT) – Tapping, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and strengths based perspectives. Kirsten welcomes people from all backgrounds, including people who are LGBTQIA+.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Amy Farrell, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Amy has a wide range of experience with diverse populations and especially enjoys working with people with interpersonal conflict within relationships, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, instability in self esteem, personality disorders, and fears of abandonment. Amy strives to practice cultural humility and welcomes people from all backgrounds. Amy utilizes an eclectic mix of therapeutic modalities, including CPT, CBT, DBT, ACT, Behavioral Activation and Motivational Interviewing.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Kathleen Durivage, LCSWR   Kathleen@AdirondackEAP.com

AEAP Director Contact information: Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Laura Garcia, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Laura particularly enjoys working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma histories, including child sexual and physical abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence, body image, and day to day obstacles. Laura provides a warm, welcoming and compassionate space to be yourself. She is trained in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Kathleen Durivage, LCSWR   Kathleen@AdirondackEAP.com

AEAP Director Contact information: Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Shannon Lynch, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Shannon’s goal as a social worker is to help teens, adults, families, and couples live their lives radically and authentically as they heal from trauma. She uses a range of practices such as Trauma Systems Therapy, DBT, and Family Therapy through a feminist and health at every size lens. She primarily works with clients who may struggle with trauma-related disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, and depressive disorders. She also enjoys working with clients who are queer, neurodiverse, and or polyamorous/Non-Monogamous. Shannon has worked in victim advocacy, substance use disorder treatment facilities, group home, home based, and in a community health setting.

Clinical Supervisor Contact information:  Kathleen Durivage, LCSWR   Kathleen@AdirondackEAP.com

AEAP Director Contact information: Shannon Brock, LCSWR   Shannon@AdirondackEAP.com

Desiree Mather, LMSW, Therapist, She/Her/Hers

Jim and Sue Hooper, Owners of Haven Oaks Farm

Sue Hooper, Equine Specialist. She/Her

Sue Hooper is a Riding Master graduate of Meredith Manor International Equestrian College. She also holds a B.S. in Equestrian Studies from Salem College. Jim, her husband, helps out whenever needed and always has a treat for the dogs!

Olivia Rooke, Office Manager/Equine Specialist.  Natural Lifemanship Level 1 Trained. She/Her

Olivia is a 2015 graduate of SUNY Adirondack with a Liberal Arts Math/Science degree and started with AEAP in 2022. A natural leader with a gift for compassionate communication and impeccable organization, Olivia quickly became an integral part of the team. When she’s not working, you can find her tending to her plants and caring for her horse, Honey.

Therapy Horses:

Miss Hy Hu Hickory (Misty)

Miss Hy Hu Hickory (Misty) is a 16 yo Quarter horse mare. Misty and her owner Kristina enjoyed competing in Western Pleasure, Equitation, Horsemanship and Showmanship at local open horseshows prior to Kristina’s untimely passing in 2020. Misty is a sweet girl who is loved by many!

Hero

Hero, a quarter horse born in 2007, is the newest member of our equine therapy team. He joined us at Haven Oaks Farm on Christmas Eve, 2017. He has quickly become acclimated to his job, and seems to think that being a therapist is the best job ever! Photo by TC Photography of Saratoga.

Bluegrass Flag (Angel)

No discussion of the Adirondack EAP team would be complete without mentioning Angel!  Angel, a thoroughbred filly by Bluegrass Cat, out of No More Flags (Lucy), was foaled at Haven Oaks on April 16, 2014. She rocked a very impressive racing career, with multiple stakes wins, and is now retired as a broodmare for her owners, Tom Albrecht and Vinnie Fusaro. Although Angel is not officially a therapy horse, her owners are very kind and allow us to visit her over the fence while she’s in her paddock.  What can we say? She’s an Angel! Photo by TC Photography of Saratoga.

Inherit the Gold (Harry)

Harry is the Big Man on Campus at Haven Oaks and is the star attraction! A multiple stakes winning OTTB with almost $500,000 in winnings, Harry is a favorite of all who meet him. Harry is not an official therapy horse but he has been known to offer a strong shoulder and a kind hug over the fence.

Blue Suede Sue (Stella)

Stella is the first foal out of Bluegrass Flag (Angel) and she is a very special old soul. A Nyquist filly, Stella has a gentle demeanor and kind spirit. Although she is a racehorse and not a therapy horse, she comes home for visits and is a popular favorite of our therapy clients (and staff!) when she visits us over the fence.

Deputy Flag (Desi)

After five years of racing, 30 starts, and over $153,000 in earnings, Desi retired from racing on October 28, 2022. Desi was foaled at the farm and was very special, right from the start. Despite being claimed and changing hands many times, Shannon always kept track of him, finding contact information for each of his owners, and making sure they knew that she would take him back when he retired. That dream has been realized and Desi is a gentle, sweet boy, who adores attention and connects deeply with the clients who are lucky enough to work with him.

Dogs, Cats, Chickens, and other fun farm animals

Nugget and Tucker

Bundles of absolute, pure joy, Nugget and Tucker love to interact with therapy clients. They are both in training to be certified therapy dogs and practice with our clients regularly!

Gretchen

Gretchen was adopted by Sue Hooper in November 2019 and she has spent her days brightening up the farm ever since. Gretchen is very acclaimed in the show ring with Sue and she is also a certified therapy dog. She loves to visit with clients and take a few zoomies laps with Nugget! Where Gretchen goes, smiles follow.

THE CHICKENS!

One of the highlights for many clients are the sweet hens! Each one has her own personality (and her own shade of egg). The chickens provide endless entertainment and joy. We call it Chicken TV. *Please do not chase or try to pet the chickens.

In Memoriam:

This Trick’s a Pro (Matilda)

This Trick’s a Pro, aka Matilda, was foaled at Haven Oaks Farm and after a successful racing career, retired from racing in 2008 with 7 wins out of 36 starts and earnings of $80,000.  Owner Brenda Stark trained her in dressage and in her first dressage show in the fall of 2013, she earned the Reserve Champion award. Matilda went on to change mange lives, capture many hearts, and lead a life of authenticity and connection. Matilda died suddenly on January 1, 2023, due to a sudden injury. Matilda will always be part of the farm, and will live on in our hearts.

Marley

Marley was our official greeter, supplier of tail wags and purveyor of belly scratches! Marley brought joy and happiness wherever he goes and was an integral part of the Adirondack EAP team. Marley died on June 15, 2021 after a long life filled with love. While we miss him terribly, we are also so glad that he was able to be a part of the farm family for so long. Marley knew only love for his entire life and his memory is a blessing.

Jack

Jack, a registered QH, had a gentle, relaxed personality, and loved to be part of sessions. Jack came to the farm after being a riding horse for children with TBIs and  fit right in as a therapy horse. Jack died suddenly as a result of colic in June 2022 and he is sadly missed.
Photo by TC Photography of Saratoga.

Chief

Chief, a Morgan pony, came to Haven Oaks after his pasture buddy passed away at his owner, Jennifer Comisky’s, farm. It became clear quite quickly that with his sweet, friendly, curious disposition that Chief would make a wonderful therapy horse. Chief enjoyed spending his days with his friends, both human and horse, and looked forward to his connections with clients.

Chief died peacefully in November 2020 after a very long life filled with lots of fun, lots of love, and lots of carrots.

Ahugaroundtheneck (Hug)

Ahugaroundtheneck, aka Hug, is a thoroughbred mare.  She retired from racing with 2 wins out of 25 starts and earnings of $99,000.  After her racing career, Hug had 2 babies and then, after a difficult birthing, became a riding horse for an 8yo child. In spring of 2013, Hug returned to Haven Oaks Farm and began her fourth career as a therapy horse, and riding horse for young family members. Hug died on November 10, 2016, just shy of her 21th birthday, and while we miss her very much, her legacy lives on in all that we do.