Meet the Staff:
Corey Armentano (Founder and director of the Creative Growth Center) – Undergraduate studies in Psychology, formerly EAGALA certified level 2. Current certification and continuing education with the O.K. Corral Series with the founder Greg Kersten. His years of equine experience include training, competing, ownership and equine facility management. Corey’s extensive hands on experience as an Equine Specialist includes 2 years employment at Rawhide Residential Treatment Center, followed by 2 years facilitating individual, family, group, and specializing in eating disorder clients at an equine therapy program in Illinois. Currently, Corey facilitates individual, family, group, and corporate team building. He has also developed an after-care/horsemanship program providing the opportunity for previous clients to have continued support.
Hilary Holsteen (Co-founder) – Undergraduate studies in Social Work, formerly EAGALA certified level 1. Current certification and continuing education with the O.K. Corral Series with founder Greg Kersten. Her years of equine experience include ownership, competing, and equine facility management. Hilary founded Harnessing Hope in 2003 and currently working in conjunction with the Creative Growth Center for the past 2 years. Her Equine Specialist experience includes a variation of individual, family, group and corporate team building.
Lynette Spencer (Program Therapist) – Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Corporate Coach (RCC), and O.K. Corral certified. Lynette’s extensive experience in the mental health field includes in patient, out-patient, and partial treatment. Currently, she works in private practice counseling children through adult with all levels of care. Lynette has been involved with Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning since 2004, facilitating individual, family and group therapy as well as corporate team building seminars. She also conducts Equine Assisted educational trainings at the Creative Growth Center.
Sarah Lloyd (Program Therapist) – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC), and Level 1 EAGALA certified. Sarah works with adolescents, couples, women and families on issues relating to depression, anxiety, self-injury, eating disorders, behavioral and emotional difficulties, relational conflicts and challenges, parenting, and alcohol and drug abuse and dependence. Her approach encourages holistic healing and recovery that utilizes creative and collaborative methods to support the development of a greater level of insight, empowerment and an optimum level of health. In her previous positions, Sarah gained extensive experience through her work experiences at a community mental health center, counseling agency, women’s counseling center and residential facility. Sarah has wide-ranging experience in transitioning adolescents, adults and their families from crises to healthier functioning; implementing goal and action-oriented supports for individuals, couples and parents; and providing services relating to women’s issues. Sarah is available for Equine Assisted Therapy and Equine Assisted Learning seminars with individuals, families, and groups.
