Meet Kristin

Kristin Mason, MA, CMHC

Rostered Psychotherapist

I started Reining Hope in 2012 because of my passionate belief in the healing power of horses, other animals, and nature. I could see that moving therapy outside of the four walls of an office was a really valuable alternative to conventional psychotherapy services. This passion grew even more clear as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Vermont and I reflected on what the current needs of the community might be in this “new normal.”

I have been working with horses and their humans since 1995. I have a long history teaching both therapeutic and traditional riding as well as other horsemanship programs. I am a PATH International Certified Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor, a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) , a PATH Intl. Mentor, a Reiki I Practitioner, a Shamanic Apprentice In-Training, an Equi-Myo certified Equine & Canine Trigger Point Myotherapist, and an Animal Communicator.

My life-long love for horses (and all animals) has led me to believe that nearly any human can learn and benefit from time spent with horses – regardless of whether or not we have had horse experience. Horses help us better understand ourselves, our relationships, and our internal and external landscapes.

Educationally, I hold a B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Vermont (1988), an Associate’s degree from Community College of Vermont (CCV) in Human Services (2016), a Certificate of Addiction Studies from CCV (Fall 2016), and I graduated in May 2018 with my Master’s in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addictions Counseling, through Northern Vermont University (f/n/a Johnson State College).

My philosophy has always been that we need to look at the world with soft eyes to see what is beyond our frame of reference and that what is in front of us is not always what we need to see in the moment. Trauma is opportunistic and can either damage us or make us stronger. Trauma comes in many degrees of harm. Trauma can be manageable – even the worst of trauma – with support, patience, empowerment, confidence, and a sense of self.

Areas of Specialization

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