Our Team

Danielle Carlson, LMFT

She/Her

Danielle Carlson, LMFT is a licensed therapist with 20 years of experience working with youth and horses. Danielle specializes in working with LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, people with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and people looking for a unique therapeutic experience. Danielle also enjoys working with adult women who desire to get back to the center of their life in order to create new purpose and joy.

From the therapist’s mouth: “Welcome to my therapy practice. I have extensive experience helping clients explore gender and sexuality, as well as addressing depression, anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, relationship issues, and family conflicts. My approach is to create a non-judgmental, safe space for clients to feel comfortable sharing their feelings and thoughts.

As a therapist, I aim to work collaboratively with you to find solutions that work for you and help you discover your true potential. Using a variety of techniques, both new and long-standing approaches with proven results, we will explore patterns that might be holding you back from living your best life and finding meaning in everyday situations.

On a personal note, I have a passion for animals and care for 14 horses, three dogs, three cats, one rabbit, and over 25 chickens. I report for duty daily to these beloved animals, which brings joy and balance to my life.”

Katie Olson, PsyD, LP

She/Her

Katie Olson, PsyD, LP, is a licensed psychologist who provides mental health therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, as well as coaching, team building, and leadership development services to employees. Her primary approach with clients is a humanistic one, exploring with them their sense of self-worth, what they value, and what they’d like to focus on to improve their life (or work) circumstances. 

Dr. Olson strives to follow her clients’ leads in terms of what they may need during a particular session, and offers them feedback and guidance often including cognitive- and dialectical behavioral techniques. She is able to administer and interpret a variety of personality, intelligence, achievement, cognitive, and neurological assessments to shed light on intra- and interpersonal dynamics that could effectively inform a treatment plan. 

On a personal note, Dr. Olson has always loved horses and did Western riding with her Palomino Quarter Horse as a teenager. She currently owns a bay Holsteiner, riding in the Hunter discipline. She finds that being in the presence of horses is often calming and encourages a deep inner feeling of peace. She is married and lives in St. Paul with her husband, three children, two dogs, and bunny.  

Rachel Allison

She/Her

Equine Specialist

Rachel joins Equine Elevated with a diverse background that led her to a passion for working with horses in a therapy setting. After healing from the loss of her second daughter, Rachel became an advocate for mental health. She found solace in her rescue horse, Keanu, and experienced the healing he provided as a companion. From that point on, Rachel has expanded her knowledge about horses and equine bodywork to give back to them, recognizing the profound healing they offer us. A horse's heart can bring immense comfort and healing to the mind, body, and soul.

On a personal note, I have a deep love for animals, including my horse, dogs, cats, chickens, and a bunny. I truly believe animals have immense love and healing to offer us. In return, showing them love and kindness is the least we can do for all they give. I'm a girl mom, military wife, fitness enthusiast, avid reader, and crochet lover. I enjoy binge-watching police shows and cheesy romance movies on Hallmark. I’ve also never met a cookie I didn’t like!

Titan

Birthdate:  1/1/2017  
Birthplace:  Nebraska
Breed:  American Warmblood
Height:  17.2 hh
My best talent is: Standing on the pedestal
My favorite pastime is: Using my big lips to open gates
My favorite treat is:  All of them!

Desi

Birthdate:  5/30/2018
Birthplace:  Lino Lakes, MN
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height:  16.2 hh
My best talent is:  Hugs
My favorite pastime is:  Sunning in the grass
My favorite treat is:  Purina Apple and Oat Flavored Horse Treats

Henry

Birthdate:  5/1/2013  
Birthplace:  Wisconsin
Breed:  Quarter Horse
Height:  15 hh
My best talent is:  kisses
My favorite pastime is:  getting belly scratches
My favorite treat is:  MAC Muffins Horse Treats

Banksy

Birthdate: 06/07/2008 
Birthplace: West Virgina
Breed:  Friesian Heritage
Height: 15.2 hh
My best talent is:  Taking off Ziggy’s fly mask
My favorite pastime is: Playing tag with Boomer
Our favorite treats are:  German Horse Muffins

Ziggy

Birthdate:  2/1/2016  
Birthplace:  Florida
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height:  16.1 hh
My best talent is:  playing soccer
My favorite pastime is:  goofing around with the boys
My favorite treat is:  MAC Muffins Horse Treats

Banksy

Birthdate: 06/07/2008 
Birthplace: West Virgina
Breed:  Friesian Heritage
Height: 15.2 hh
My best talent is:  Taking off Ziggy’s fly mask
My favorite pastime is: Playing tag with Boomer
Our favorite treats are:  German Horse Muffins

Hugo

Birthdate:  5/2013  
Birthplace:  Wisconsin
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height:  16.3 hh
My best talent is:  Jumping
My favorite pastime is:  playing with fridns
My favorite treat is:  MAC Muffins Horse Treats

Aspen

Birthdate: 06/16/2015 
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height: 16.2 hh
My best talent is:  Jumping!
My favorite pastime is: Napping with Desi
Our favorite treats are:  Peppermints

Bailey

Birthdate:  12/7/2015  
Birthplace:  Ohio
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height:  16.2 hh
My best talent is:  Frolicking
My favorite pastime is:  playing with fridns
My favorite treat is:  MAC Muffins Horse Treats

Fiyero (Rio)

Birthdate: 3//10/2017
Birthplace: Hemet, CA
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height: 16.2 hh
My best talent is:  Jumping!
My favorite pastime is: Playing with the other boys in the pasture
Our favorite treats are:  Poptarts

Ruby

Birthdate: 2014
Birthplace: Florida
Breed:  Thoroughbred
Height:  15.3 hh
My best talent is:  connecting with people
My favorite pastime is:  Eating grass
My favorite treats are:  Purina Nicker Makers Horse Treats and Peppermints

Oberon

Birthdate: 6/15/2018
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Goldendoodle
Best talent is:  play guard dog
My favorite pastime is: Sleeping in the sun and going for walks
My favorite treats are:  peanut butter and bones

Penny

Birthdate: 6/19/2003  
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Miniature Horse
Height: 9 hh
My best talent is:  Seeing through my forlock
My favorite pastime is: eating
My favorite treats are:  Purina Nicker Makers Horse Treats and Peppermints

Acorn

Birthdate: 2003
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Miniature Horse
Height:  10 hh
My best talent is:  Prancing
My favorite pastime is: Playing with Penny
My favorite treats are:  German Horse Muffins

Grogu, the Rabbit

Birthdate: 12/2021
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Silver Fox Rabbit
My best talent is:  hugging
My favorite pastime is:  cuddles, eating, sleeping
My favorite treats are:  carrots, watermelon, and garden salad

Murphy

Birthdate: 4/14/2019 (Murphy)
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Golden-doodle
Best talent is:  Pouncing
My favorite pastime is: Sleeping in the sun and going for walks
My favorite treats are:  peanut butter and bones

Joobie

Birthdate: 11/2020
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Ninja Cat
My best talent is:  catching chipmunks
My favorite pastime is:  napping
My favorite treats are:  Salmon Temptations

Juniper

Birthdate: 6/21/2024
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
My best talent is:  Dancing and cuddling
My favorite pastime is: Playing with everything
My favorite treats are:  Milk Bone Minis (they are mini just like me!)

Apollo

Birthdate: 7/5/2021
Birthplace: Minnesota
Breed:  Cat with 6 fingers
My best talent is: Cuddling
My favorite pastime is: Napping in the sun
My favorite treats are:  Fresh Salmon

Toebeans (Kitty Mama)

Birthdate: 11/2020
Breed: American Shorthair
My best talent is: catching mice
My favorite pastime is: hunting and napping
My favorite treats are:  canned cat food