A graphic with overlapping circles, a horse illustration, and the text 'The Mission: At Brite Beginnings, we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing space where connection, healing, and growth are rooted in compassion and inspired by the calming power of nature and animals.'
Two horses, one chestnut and one gray, touching noses in a grassy field under a cloudy sky.

Welcome to Brite Beginnings

Therapy doesn’t have to happen in a sterile office or under fluorescent lights. My practice is rooted in a peaceful, nature-rich setting—with a quaint office nestled in the woods and the calming presence of animals close by. Whether we’re walking under the trees, sitting with a horse, or talking beside a therapy cat, the space is intentionally designed to foster regulation, connection, and a deep sense of emotional safety.

Clients often describe my space as "magical" and tell me they feel seen, grounded, and safe here—many for the first time in a long time.

If you’re looking for something different, something deeper, and a place where healing unfolds naturally—you’re in the right place.

Brite Beginnings Offers:

Why Choose Me:

Clients who come to Brite Beginnings can gain:

  • Greater Nervous System Awareness & Regulation: Lean how to identify signs of dysregulation and build skills to return to clam, safe states using principles of Polyvagal Theory.

  • Healing Through Nature & Animals: Experience the powerful calming and grounding effects of nature and animal-assisted therapy, including equine interactions that foster connection, reflection, and emotional insights.

  • Improved Boundaries & Self-Compassion: Develop a healthier relationship with productivity, worth and relationships — letting go of perfectionism and learning to show up authentically.

  • Support Through Grief & Life Transitions: Navigate loss and change with compassionate support and tailored tolls to process complex emotions.

  • A Safe, Non-Judgemental Environment: Work in a peaceful, wooded setting that clients often describe as “magical,” where healing can happen at your own pace.

  • Holistic Growth: Reconnect with your body, emotions, and values in a way that supports long-term emotional wellness, not just symptom relief.

Brite Beginnings offers more than therapy — it’s a space for transformation, grounding, and rediscovering your inner resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions
A woman smiling next to a large black and white dog trained in trauma response and healing.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience guiding individuals through some of life’s most complex emotional challenges. After earning my degree in Mental Health Counseling, I began my career in community mental health, supporting individuals struggling with addiction. I then spent eight years working within jail systems, providing care to incarcerated populations, before opening my private practice in 2018.

My greatest passions lie in grief counseling—particularly around pet loss—and in helping clients regulate their nervous systems to foster lasting emotional resilience and healing. I integrate animals into my therapeutic work, including horses, mini horses, donkeys, goats, dogs, and cats. I’ve personally experienced the profound calm, connection, and unconditional love animals offer, and I deeply believe in their power to heal. Throughout my life, animals have been a steady source of comfort and safety—especially during times when human connection felt out of reach. Their presence offers a unique, grounding connection that supports nervous system regulation, emotional release, and a deeper sense of peace.

I’ve trained with the Polyvagal Equine Institute, the Grief Recovery Institute, and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association). I’m honored to walk alongside others as they navigate loss, trauma, and the many transitions life brings—helping them find meaning, regulation, and healing along the way.

Meet Heather:

Dan Brite sitting outdoors in a green field.

Brite Beginnings Origin Story:

On January 1st, 2018 our community experienced yet another devastating loss in law enforcement. In an instant, countless lives were altered—some forever. And this pain… this “why”… is exactly why I am opening the gates to the next chapter: Brite Beginnings.

Named in honor of Dan Brite, whose story lit the path forward for me, Brite Beginnings offers equine-assisted psychotherapy and animal-based grief support to law enforcement, first responders, and their loved ones.

Bring us your sorrow, your silence, your exhaustion. Let our compassionate team—dogs, cats, goats, minis, horses, and me—help you rediscover the peace and connection that trauma may have taken from you. Let us walk beside you as you learn to believe again: that you can face each day with peace… and even joy.

Contact Me

My Client Promise:

I promise to walk beside you—through the pain, the doubt, and the quiet moments in between. At Brite Beginnings, my mission is to create a safe, compassionate space where healing feels possible.

I am committed to helping you grow through life’s struggles, rediscover your strength, and gently move toward the life you envision. With the support of our team—two- and four-legged—you won’t be on this journey alone.