Oasis Counseling & Equine
Assisted Therapy
Our Mission
Sanctuary of Peace Therapeutic Horse Center is dedicated to providing therapeutic services incorporating equines including psychotherapy (individual and family, horseback riding, driving, groundwork, and related equine activities for individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) with mental health issues/diagnoses, intellectual, physical, and emotional disabilities, including the veteran population in Northeastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia as well as international visitors.
The goals of psychotherapy incorporating equines and equine-assisted activities include:
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Improve emotional/social, and academic/vocational functioning as evidenced by reduction or discontinuation of psychiatric symptoms.
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Improve self-awareness to create mind/body connections for holistic healing.
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Improve self-regulation of emotions and coping skills through the horse/human relationship.
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Improve the ability to form attachment in relationships through transfer of the bonding in the horse/human relationship.
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Improve a positive sense of self through success/competency in tasks in interactions with the horse.
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Increase muscle strength, flexibility and coordination in the physical activities of groundwork or riding the horse.
Located in Northeastern North Carolina, we are committed to creating a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive.
Meet Wendi D. Nixon, PhD
National Certified Counselor
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-S
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Dr. Wendi Nixon graduated in 2023 from Regent University in the PhD program of the School of Counseling and Psychology, in 1989 from Regent University with a Master of Arts in Counseling, and in 1985 from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling.
She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and qualified supervisor (LCMHC-S), and a rostered provider of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in private practice in Elizabeth City, NC.
Dr. Wendi D. Nixon is certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. as a National Certified Counselor #54448 and is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-S #4201. Since 1990 she has been working with individuals and families to overcome issues of trauma. Dr. Wendi Nixon has also completed training provide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a year-long cohort provided by Duke University in 2008.
She works with individuals, families, and children and has been a certified therapeutic riding instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International since 2013, offering equine-assisted therapy to the community.
Board of Directors
Karola Daughtry
Charles Daughtry
Karen Mulford
Anthony Mulford
Sherreen Batts