Dimitri has been a part of the Windhorse treatment community for nearly a decade, starting as a Clinical Team Leader before transitioning into a leadership role. Dimitri brings a rooted psychological practice and background as well as a contemplative and mindfulness-based practice and way of living. As a Clinical Team Leader and Psychotherapist, Dimitri focused on helping a person to find their sense of balance and health within themselves to draw upon, while living their lives as fully and wholesomely as possible. As a Director, Dimitri is passionate about providing this same type of healthy, fun and peaceful environment for both staff and those that we serve. Additionally, Dimitri is dedicated to continuing to learn and to provide opportunities for others to learn and to contribute to the Windhorse philosophy, vision, and mission.

Dimitri studied psychology in both his undergraduate and graduate endeavors, with a focus on mindfulness, and the value of deep interpersonal connections on a person’s healing journey. Currently, Dimitri is engaged in a number of projects to enhance accessibility of resources, provide educational teachings, and development of alumni support programs.

Dimitri is blessed with three active boys and a wonderful wife who help remind him not to take life so seriously, to show up with his true presence, and to enjoy being in relationship with others.

As a California resident for her entire life, Dana enjoys and appreciates the natural beauty and wonder the intimate central coastal community of San Luis Obispo offers. Dana received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California Davis, conducting research on emotional intelligence and attachment, along with the impact trauma may have on the mind, memory, and perception. Dana later went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from California Polytechnic State University, in San Luis Obispo. With the knowledge and wisdom, coupled with her genuine tender heart, Dana went on to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; providing compassionate care and intensive psychotherapy to individuals suffering with and recovering from extreme mind-states and trauma related experiences.

After several years working at non-profit organizations, and opening two private practice offices on the central coast, Dana’s appreciation for the importance of deep connection and community led her to the Windhorse community. It was here, within this therapeutic community, that Dana was able to more fully integrate her academic background, years of clinical and psychotherapy experience, and her personal contemplative study and practice.

Dana has a strong contemplative approach to interpersonal relationships, engages in ongoing personal and professional study in the field of contemplative psychology, and maintains a deep commitment to her own personal self-reflection and growth through her contemplative practice. Dana believes having compassion for self, and being willing to understand one’s own mind, allows for a greater capacity to recognize another’s suffering and therefore provides a deep compassionate presence to others. While immersing herself in her community, both personally and professionally, Dana’s family has grown over the years, as she is a wife and mother of three young men. It is with her innate appreciation and respect for community, intimate connection, and family, that Dana has chosen a lifelong path of personal and professional growth and healing.

Born and raised in the South, Elaine headed west after graduating from College of Charleston in 1993. A self-proclaimed vagabond, she settled in Oregon and received her Master’s degree in sociology at Portland State University in 2000.

Elaine taught sociology at the university level for a few years before heading back to the Carolinas to be closer to her tight knit family. She fell into marketing for mental health programs unexpectedly—working first as an Alumni Coordinator for a residential program for adults, while supporting the outreach efforts of the organization. A natural “people-person” who doesn’t mind travel to far-away places, outreach felt like a perfect fit. Over the years of experience, her passion for helping families find appropriate care during stressful and uncertain times has only grown.

Elaine lives in Portland, OR but her role supports outreach for the entire Windhorse nonprofit. When she’s not traveling for the organization, you can find her outdoors—either hiking with her husband, John and their German Shepherd, Max or in her yard digging in the dirt.

Gerry Marr has been immersed in the healing arts since the early seventies. A product of experimental education since high school, he studied Gestalt and Polarity Therapy as well as metaphysics. He was an instructor of various Body Therapy modalities for years. As founder of the Touching Aids Massage Project, Gerry trained Massage Therapists to work with people living with Aids, providing hundreds of individuals with massage at no charge for nearly a decade. Gerry has studied and practiced Tai Chi Chuan for over 40 years, teaching since 1980. He offers a weekly Tai Chi group for the Windhorse community.

Ongoing studies of Polarity Therapy ultimately led to pursuit of a Masters Degree in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Gerry worked at CALM, Child Abuse Listening and Mediation, for ten years. His traineeship included individual, group and family therapy for survivors of abuse and domestic violence. He provided Intensive In-Home Therapy and worked with the Spirit Wraparound Team in conjunction with Santa Barbara County Children’s Services as a Child and Family Specialist.

The contemplative approach and spiritual environment drew Gerry to Windhorse. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo County, Lacey graduated with her Master’s Degree in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University. She moved south and began her career in San Diego County, where she had the opportunity to grow and experience a wide range of clinical opportunities. In addition to offering psychotherapy to adults, Lacey has worked with children and adolescents, providing educationally-based wellness counseling in the schools of San Diego County.

Her strong love for her family and home county of San Luis Obispo eventually brought her back to the central coast in 2012. Since returning, Lacey has maintained a private practice and has worked within the Foster Care system and Conditional Release Program. Lacey holds a strong belief that having even one single, supportive, and loving relationship can make all difference in the world. This enthusiasm for healing through relationship is what ultimately led Lacey to the therapeutic community of Windhorse. Ask Lacey about her professional home and she’ll tell you it is here, at Windhorse.

When she’s not working, you can find Lacey playing with her nephew, running her goldendoodle, Tyler, and spending time with family and friends.

Born and raised in India, Manoj moved to the United States 15 years ago. He received a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara in 2016 and two years later moved to Santa Maria to work as a clinician at the Lompoc ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) program run by Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA).

Manoj’s work with clients is guided by humanistic and existential therapy models and he incorporates mindfulness and eastern philosophies to help people in their recovery journey towards self-development. He believes that through the realization of Self a deeper sense of peace can emerge. Manoj’s deep affinity for his own spiritual growth informs his belief that clients can also benefit immensely by developing a connection to something bigger than themselves. Grounded by his experiences in spirituality and meditation, he was drawn to Windhorse because of the contemplative foundation of the approach.

In his free time, Manoj likes to sing Indian music, play drums and keyboard, and read books related to spirituality.

Kristin grew up on the Central Coast and recently returned to her roots, landing among the Windhorse community where she feels right at home. A graduate of University of LaVerne, Kristin received a Master’s degree in educational counseling with an emphasis in school and family-based counseling. Her clinical direction is steeped in a deep passion for postmodern psychology. Kristin is naturally compassionate, believes in the resiliency of people and is deeply committed to collaborative counseling practices—this combination helps others safely pursue their preferred ways of living when faced with life’s challenges.

Inspired by ecological communities like the ocean or a copse of oak trees, in her spare time you can find Kristin taking to the great outdoors and having dignifying conversations with friends and family among all the flora and fauna.

Raised in a military family in the Antelope Valley (Lancaster, CA), Amanda followed in their footsteps as an adult, but left her career in the military to pursue the study of psychology after a significant life event. Amanda holds a Master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis on depth psychological studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Amanda’s focus within the framework of counseling is to create space for one to explore and connect to their own meaning and purpose in life.

Amanda draws personal inspiration from journaling and writing poetry. She enjoys bird-watching, hiking, cooking meals with loved ones, and buying way too many plants.

Mary has lived on the Central Coast for the past ten years after living and traveling many places throughout the U.S. and overseas. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in English and having a stint as a librarian, she found her true calling to be in psychology. She graduated with her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute with an emphasis in Depth Psychology. Mary had previously worked in the non-profit sector in school-based counseling with children and families, and has also volunteered her time in community-based counseling and grief counseling.

When Mary isn’t working, she enjoys cooking wholesome meals for her friends and family. You will find her most at home when she has her hands in the dirt of her garden while singing to her plants. She also enjoys reading and will get lost for hours in used book stores and libraries. She is an avid and curious life-long student, and is currently studying ancient astrology. When her nose isn’t in a book of some sort, you may find her on the Central Coast trails either hiking, running very slowly for long distances, or practicing yoga.

Most of all, Mary believes that connection with one another is a vital aspect of being human, and that it is through our relationships with others that healing may occur. This philosophy is alive and well at Windhorse, and Mary feels honored to be a part of this community.

Raised in Long Beach California, Michael moved to San Luis Obispo for college in 2004. While pursuing his B.S. in mathematics, Michael started practicing Tai Chi at the Wushu Tai Chi Center. After graduation, he traveled multiple times to China to practice Tai Chi and later traveled through Europe and Asia attending various meditation retreats to study Buddhism.

After his travels, Michael returned to San Luis Obispo and worked for the Youth Treatment Program as a Residential Youth Counselor. It was during this time, that Michael began his career at Windhorse– first as a therapeutic housemate. Inspired by Windhorse’s compassionate approach, he returned to university and is currently working towards a Masters Degree in Psychology at Cal Poly.

Alex originally grew up in Northern California in the foothills of Sacramento. After discovering the central coast, he relocated to attend California Polytechnic State University where he earned a bachelors in psychology. With his open-mindedness and commitment, he hopes to create relationships that invoke healing and personal growth. Alex’s main focus is to simply help people by allowing them to be themselves in a safe and honest relationship. When he’s not working, you can find him hiking, swimming, or relaxing at the beautiful beaches of the central coast.

Alana grew up on the central coast and attended UC Santa Barbara for her undergraduate degree where she studied Studio Art and English. Following the days of her youth in the charming beach community of Isla Vista, she lived in Lake Tahoe and traveled for a few months in Costa Rica and Panama before landing back home in San Luis Obispo to pursue her Masters degree in Special Education at Cal Poly. She spent her free time reading books, take courses, and listen to podcasts in the realms of psychology and eastern spirituality. After three years teaching elementary special education, Alana realized her passion was leading her elsewhere—she decided to return to university and is currently a student at Pacifica Graduate Institute working towards her Masters in Counseling Psychology.

When not writing papers and digesting enormous amounts of reading, Alana enjoys frequenting local beaches and laying in the sun, perusing coffee shops (Kin and Scout are her favorites), teaching herself to play harmonium, reading people’s astrological birth charts, practicing yoga, and buying over-priced candles. You can also find Alana at Harmony House Yoga in Pismo Beach where she leads public yoga classes.

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Raised in southern California, Jamie grew up with a strong interest in psychology. After diving into her psychology studies in high school, she moved to San Luis Obispo, CA and got her associate’s in psychology from Cuesta College. Driven by a compassion to help others, she spent most of her time caregiving.

Wanting a more holistic approach to mental health, she attended the two year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Certification Program by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield through UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. With a blooming interest in holding a caring and compassionate space for others she got multiple certifications over the past four years in various movement and meditation modalities meant to help aid empowerment, mindfulness, and relaxation. 

During her spare time, Jamie can be found at the beach, finding animals to pet and snuggle with, hiking, listening to live music, and soaking in hot springs. 

Bio Forthcoming.

Susannah Fletcher grew up on the Central Coast. She has been working in the healthcare field for the last ten years. She often can be heard singing in the office. She loves life, people, music, and her goose. Yes, she has a pet goose named Jemmima. Many Windhorse details go through her loving hands.

Annie lives in Northampton, MA but her role as fiscal manager supports the entire nonprofit. Annie brings with her over 30 years of fiscal experience gained from working in a variety of for-profit and nonprofit settings. She has served on the board of directors of her church. You might also see her contra dancing, selling her own unique line of handmade skirts, or singing for peace and freedom in the Amandla Community Chorus.

Claire grew up in Northern California and attended Southern Oregon University to study Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She deeply values connections with people, animals and the larger world, making her a great addition to the Windhorse community—Claire’s the friendly face that will make anyone feel welcome when they walk through the door.

If you ever see Claire outside of the Windhorse office, she’s most likely petting a dog or out on a hiking trail enjoying the fresh air.