Our Staff
Therapists
Chris Moran, LSCSW, Clinical Director
Chris is the founder of Hope and Healing Academy and President of Advanced Behavioral Health Care, Chartered. Chris has over 25 years of experience providing mental health services for children and adults. He specializes in working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and other behavioral disorders. Chris provides psychotherapy to HAHA clients and is the Clinical Director.
Elizabeth Hover, LSCSW, Equus Bellator Specialist
Elizabeth has been a social worker for seven years, working mainly with the military population. She is an Army veteran with experience and specialty training working with clients who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts. A lifelong rider and horse enthusiast, Elizabeth is passionate about combining traditional psychotherapy methods with experiential therapy and sharing the power of horses with her clients.
Mariah Sidesinger, LMSW
Mariah Sidesinger is a licensed master’s level social worker. She graduated from Washburn University with a master's degree in social work. She has been riding horses since she was 10 years old and has loved horses all her life. As a therapist, Mariah combines two of her passions: working with horses and working with people. If you have any questions about the program or the horses, you can always come to her for any questions; she would be happy to answer them.
Mandy Nestler, LSCSW
Mandy has been working in human services for 20 years. During her career, she has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities in educational, vocational, and residential settings, and she has provided early childhood development and parenting support to families using home visits. Mandy looks forward to offering in-home therapy to HAHA clients and their families.
Her therapeutic interests center around working with individuals and families who have experienced trauma. Mandy is passionate about trauma-informed care and believes in the use of experiential therapy to incorporate the mind, body, and spirit in the therapeutic process.
Marley Dinwiddie, LMSW
Marley is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) looking forward to providing psychotherapy to clients. She graduated from Washburn University with her master’s degree after finding her true career path working as a riding instructor for HAHA. As an avid horse lover, Marley values the self awareness, self-regulation, and mindfulness one learns when working with horses. She enjoys assisting clients in finding creative ways to translate these skills into every day life.
Support Staff
Lisa Bruner, Equine Program Director
Lisa started taking horseback riding lessons at 9 years old and has been involved with horses ever since. She serves as the Equine Program Director, training and supporting riding instructors, as well as exercising the horses and overseeing their physical and mental well being. Lisa follows a non-forceful and natural horsemanship method, creating a solid horse training program based on trust, rapport, and clear lines of communication. She finds equine therapy very rewarding, using her knowledge and insights with horses to help people be happier and healthier.
Kim Moran, Program Director
Kim Moran, wife of Chris Moran and mother of Mariah Sidesinger, is the Program Director for HAHA. In this role, she handles administrative tasks, such as managing the budget, contacting and scheduling clients for intake and therapy, contacting and training new volunteers, and organizing fundraisers. One of her most important jobs is taking care of the horses and the HAHA barn crew, including the donkey, goats, cats, and chickens.
Her favorite part about HAHA is catching the “lightbulb” moments when a client makes a connection with their horse partner: “It’s so special to watch a client discover how to communicate with their horse and understand how their horse is communicating with them.”
Joy Bancroft, Development Director
Joy is a member of the Board of the Directors, the coordinator of volunteer paperwork and curriculum, the webmaster, and pretty much anything else she can think of. She's been volunteering at HAHA since September 2015. She dedicates time and energy to the program because she believes in the healing power of horses and the hope that HAHA offers to clients. She's pictured here with Ollie, one of her favorite therapy horses.
Additional Riding Instructors
Brandy Bedford also serves as a riding instructor.