Tina is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (Accredited through the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada) who has expanded her capacity to empower women as a Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning® (FEEL) practitioner, Intentional Creativity® Teacher, 2 time co-author of Pursuit: 365, and an Animist. Utilizing these abilities and her connection to the natural world, Tina supports women to reclaim their voice so that they can discover the path that is uniquely theirs and walk it with authenticity and courage. She approaches her work through a lens of co-creation, curiosity, and gentleness, customizing her support to each client as they move forward on their journey together. This approach mirrors that which Tina has taken on her own journey, and the way she continues to lead her own self-discovery and articulation in the physical world.Â
Horses have been a common thread throughout Tina’s life. After High-school graduation, Tina and her red-headed thoroughbred mare, Lucinda, traveled to Florida and Virginia where Tina worked for and learned about upper level Three Day Eventing. Though Tina was thrilled at this opportunity, she also came to recognize that her love of horses was not tied to competition but went deeper: Lucinda was her heart horse and it was simply spending time with these powerful creatures that filled Tina’s heart. During their time together, Lucinda acted as a mirror for Tina, revealing the sadness and pain that Tina kept hidden from the world. Upon returning from their trip, Tina started hanging out with a different group and in time, pressure from the group led to an incident that would affect Tina for years.Â
Burying her pain, Tina channeled her energy into becoming a Farrier which gave her a way to work with horses and create with her hands. Tina apprenticed with many of the top Farrier’s in British Columbia, achieved Journeyman Designation, a title few women acquired, and built a successful business, Lucinda by her side. Though incredibly rewarding, Tina also recognized the toll this profession was taking on her body and knew the pain she hid within this work inevitably needed to be addressed.Â
Embarking on a healing journey, Tina studied Herbal Medicine on Salt Spring Island, working with plants and learning to listen to her own body. In her time on Salt Spring Island, Tina was introduced to sacred ceremony and enrolled in Shamanic Practitioner training, blending her love of Plant, Spirit and Animals together to help others. Throughout this journey Tina rekindled her relationship with herself, coming full circle.
By 2016 the physical demands of being a Farrier had taken their toll and Tina knew it was time to move on. Wanting to continue a path of service to others, Tina became certified as a Registered Therapeutic Counselor.
It was around this time that Tina faced her toughest moment – saying farewell to Lucinda. Her death signified an end to her past, and Spirit had something to say about Tina’s future. She was introduced to a new way of being with horses – FEEL, Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning®. Training at Mystic Waters Ranch, Tina learned how to partner with horses as teachers to help others heal and grow. The journey reawakened other passions Tina had forgotten, including art.
In 2020 Tina was introduced to Intentional Creativity® via a course called Artifact taught by Shiloh Sophia. It was then that she re-discovered her love of art and the way it can heal. Becoming fascinated by the way Intentional Creativity® helped Tina heal herself and change the way she thought, she decided to become an Intentional Creativity® Coach and Teacher which gives many tools that a person can use daily. Literally only needing a pen, paper and a curious mind.Â
Having reached a state of peace with herself - past, present, and future - Tina draws on her personal experience and many tools acquired along the way to support women on their path toward authenticity and a courageous existence in this world.Â
Tina has partnered with Doug McLean to create Inpsirit Horsemanship.Â
Inspirit Horsemanship is a unique approach to understanding and healing the relationship between horse and rider. It combines F.E.E.L.® principals with Tina’s over 30 years experience in the equine world including training up to third level Dressage and competing in upper level Three Day Eventing, registered as a coach with Equestrian Canada, and time as a Journeyman Farrier. Together with her co- founder Doug McLean, Tina & Doug focus on building an emotionally intimate partnership between the horse and rider where the greatest connection and sovereignty can be found.
Left: Tina with Morgan at a Dressage CompetitionÂ
Right: Tina and Lucinda on Cross Country
Comments