Our clinical staff consists of licensed social workers and licensed counselors. Clinicians work closely with our highly trained equine specialists to provide clinically proven mental health and behavioral health therapy. PBJ Connections adheres to the EAGALA model of therapy, which pairs a mental health clinician, and equine specialist and horses to facilitate change in clients with a wide variety of issues. We follow strict policies to ensure the efficacy of our treatment and the safety of our clients. Many of our clinicians are also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
All employees, contractors, and volunteers who work with our clients are trained in the skills necessary to do their jobs. We follow strict policies to ensure the efficacy of our treatment and the safety of our clients. Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) background checks are required for anyone working with clients.
Our Equine Specialists have over 6000 hours of hands-on horse experience and are trained in the field of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. All have undergone a BCI&I background check, are trained in CPR & First Aid, and are dedicated to improving mental health in our community.
PBJ Connections is an LBGTQ affirming organization.
Stacia started working at PBJ Connections as a therapist in June, 2013 and has been EAGALA certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy since October, 2013. She has also been certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy since January, 2018. She provides EMDR therapy and recieved a certificate of completion in EMDR training in 2023.
Stacia has worked in the mental health field since July of 1991, when she received her Bachelor's degree from Otterbein University. She later received her master's degree from the University of Dayton in 1999, and has experience in the field of treatment foster care and adoptions, community mental health, developmental disabilities, and drug and alcohol treatment. Stacia says, "I love working at PBJ Connections for many reasons; one of the biggest reasons is that we offer a range of services, including traditional office visits, equine-assisted psychotherapy, telehealth, and even art therapy. We also offer scholarships for people who do not have health insurance or are unable to pay their insurance co-pays. Because of these things, we are able to reach and help a lot of people within our community." Stacia's hope for PBJ Connections is that we continue to grow as an organization and at the same time remain small enough to provide personalized and individualized treatment for children and families that are in need.
Stacia started working at PBJ Connections as a therapist in June, 2013 and has been EAGALA certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy since October, 2013. She has also been certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy since January, 2018. She provides EMDR therapy and recieved a certificate of completion in EMDR training in 2023.
Stacia has worked in the mental health field since July of 1991, when she received her Bachelor's degree from Otterbein University. She later received her master's degree from the University of Dayton in 1999, and has experience in the field of treatment foster care and adoptions, community mental health, developmental disabilities, and drug and alcohol treatment. Stacia says, "I love working at PBJ Connections for many reasons; one of the biggest reasons is that we offer a range of services, including traditional office visits, equine-assisted psychotherapy, telehealth, and even art therapy. We also offer scholarships for people who do not have health insurance or are unable to pay their insurance co-pays. Because of these things, we are able to reach and help a lot of people within our community." Stacia's hope for PBJ Connections is that we continue to grow as an organization and at the same time remain small enough to provide personalized and individualized treatment for children and families that are in need.
Tim Spradlin, 1stSgt (Ret) USAF, is an EAGALA certified military equine specialist. He has over 20 years’ experience training and riding western trail horses. An Iraq combat veteran, he served 30 total years military active duty and military reserve. In his civilian career he retired from over 30 years in fire rescue and law enforcement. In 2017 Tim partnered his Finally Home Farm Military EAP program with PBJ Connections “On Mission” program to serve veterans in central Ohio. Tim currently works with Greene County Veterans Service Office in Xenia.
Tim Spradlin, 1stSgt (Ret) USAF, is an EAGALA certified military equine specialist. He has over 20 years’ experience training and riding western trail horses. An Iraq combat veteran, he served 30 total years military active duty and military reserve. In his civilian career he retired from over 30 years in fire rescue and law enforcement. In 2017 Tim partnered his Finally Home Farm Military EAP program with PBJ Connections “On Mission” program to serve veterans in central Ohio. Tim currently works with Greene County Veterans Service Office in Xenia.
Elizabeth joined PBJ in 2019, first as a volunteer and soon after, as an Equine Specialist, certified through EAGALA. She also served on the PBJ Board as a member and then as President. Elizabeth has loved and been around horses her entire life. Beginning at age 10, Elizabeth worked first as a volunteer, next as a CIT (counselor in training), and finally as a counselor for Hob Haven Day Camp in Toledo, working every summer through her junior year of college. After moving to Northern Virginia, she worked as a trail guide for the J.W. Marriott cattle ranch in Hume, VA and then volunteered with the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program in Leesburg, VA. In addition to her love of horses and nature, Elizabeth is passionate about education and helping others thrive. This lifelong passion led her to an undergraduate degree in English and French from Bowling Green State University. Elizabeth was planning to be a high school teacher, until she discovered that she could stay in college forever by earning a master’s degree in College Student Personnel and Counseling Psychology at Ohio State University. After working in residence life and continuing education at OSU, Elizabeth moved to Fairfax, VA where she worked at George Mason University for over 20 years in the area of student life, which included responsibilities in orientation, academic and career advising, outdoor/experiential education, LGBTQ/women and gender studies, athletics, residence life, interdisciplinary learning, international student services, disability support, and many others. She was drawn back to her home state of Ohio by a position in college counseling at a local independent school. Elizabeth absolutely loves her work at PBJ, because it combines three of her favorite things - helping others, horses (and other 4 legged beings), and nature (no matter what the weather, although winter is her favorite!) She believes the EAGALA model, making use of an equine’s natural ability to be in the moment and offer honest, truthful feedback, is amazing in its ability to help people heal and thrive. She is inspired daily by the amazing clients and colleagues with whom she works, and finds herself on a lifelong journey of learning more and more about how equines and humans can support, nurture, and challenge each other to grow and live their very best lives.
Elizabeth joined PBJ in 2019, first as a volunteer and soon after, as an Equine Specialist, certified through EAGALA. She also served on the PBJ Board as a member and then as President. Elizabeth has loved and been around horses her entire life. Beginning at age 10, Elizabeth worked first as a volunteer, next as a CIT (counselor in training), and finally as a counselor for Hob Haven Day Camp in Toledo, working every summer through her junior year of college. After moving to Northern Virginia, she worked as a trail guide for the J.W. Marriott cattle ranch in Hume, VA and then volunteered with the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program in Leesburg, VA. In addition to her love of horses and nature, Elizabeth is passionate about education and helping others thrive. This lifelong passion led her to an undergraduate degree in English and French from Bowling Green State University. Elizabeth was planning to be a high school teacher, until she discovered that she could stay in college forever by earning a master’s degree in College Student Personnel and Counseling Psychology at Ohio State University. After working in residence life and continuing education at OSU, Elizabeth moved to Fairfax, VA where she worked at George Mason University for over 20 years in the area of student life, which included responsibilities in orientation, academic and career advising, outdoor/experiential education, LGBTQ/women and gender studies, athletics, residence life, interdisciplinary learning, international student services, disability support, and many others. She was drawn back to her home state of Ohio by a position in college counseling at a local independent school. Elizabeth absolutely loves her work at PBJ, because it combines three of her favorite things - helping others, horses (and other 4 legged beings), and nature (no matter what the weather, although winter is her favorite!) She believes the EAGALA model, making use of an equine’s natural ability to be in the moment and offer honest, truthful feedback, is amazing in its ability to help people heal and thrive. She is inspired daily by the amazing clients and colleagues with whom she works, and finds herself on a lifelong journey of learning more and more about how equines and humans can support, nurture, and challenge each other to grow and live their very best lives.
