Kimberley Wideman

Kim is a Certified Child Life Specialist, and has successfully completed the Trauma Certificate program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Kim has also completed her training in Somatic Experiencing® with Dea Parsanishi, MEd, SEP. Kim has received her SEP designation. Kim has over 13 years of experience providing mental health support and case management to victims of crime and tragic circumstances as a Client Service Coordinator and Crisis Responder with Victim Services. She has completed training in Mental Health First Aid and the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. Her strong commitment to trauma-informed care and honing her skills in trauma-specific practice with humans and horses is evident through her extensive career and continuing education in both areas.

A member of the Professional Association for Equine-Facilitated Wellness, Kim is committed to upholding its ethics and standards of practice related to working with horses and humans in a therapeutic capacity. She has completed the Explorations training and Focus trainings 1 and 2 in Equine-Facilitated Wellness with Deborah Marshall, MA, RCC. Kim is also completing the EQUUSOMA® certificate training with Sarah Schlote, MA, RP, CCC, SEP, which integrates Somatic Experiencing® and trauma and attachment neuroscience in horse-human interaction programs. She is currently a training assistant for EQUUSOMA® as well as Program Liaison.

Horses and Humans, Healing Together
Kim’s scope of practice is as a dually trained equine-facilitated wellness professional and equine specialist, offering horse-human interaction services for over 9 years. She works with children, youth, adults, families, and groups facing trauma, stress, grief and loss, life transitions, anxiety, depression, abuse, and violence. Kim is dedicated to providing a safe container for two- and four legged participants to heal, grow, explore, be curious, and be fully present in the moment. She is not qualified to offer services to clients in areas in which she does not have training or sufficient experience, such as working with unstable persons with psychotic disorders or addictions.

Kim currently runs her practice, Roots & Wings, at Dream Chaser Equestrian Centre in Kilsyth, Ontario. At this facility, she works with a maximum of three clients and two or three safe horses in the arena, a round pen, or field. Additional team members are added for groups of more than 3 individuals as needed. Kim’s work is covered under professional liability insurance. Kim is also a certified yoga teacher and has completed training in trauma-informed yoga. She enjoys both studio instruction as well as teaching yoga in the calming presence of horses.

Education
Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology – University of Waterloo
Post Graduate Diploma in Child Life Studies – McMaster University
Certificate in Applied Counselling – Conestoga College