Our Team

Sherry Simon-Heldt, M.S.
Licensed Addiction Therapist
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist
Certified Equine-Assisted Therapist

Sherry has been in the counseling field since 1988, having worked in educational and community health settings before opening her own psychotherapy practice in 2002. She specializes in working with individuals and couples who present addictions, trauma, grief, and relationship issues.

Sherry's involvement with horses began as a young girl. Getting off the bus at summer camp each year, the first activity she signed up for was horseback riding. For years she held to a dream of someday having her own horse, and living in a ranch environment.

That dream became reality when, in 2004, Sherry made the major decision to purchase her first horse (Roco) and after that, “life totally shifted,” as she often says. She and her husband,Tim, went on to pursue education and training in the field of equine-assisted psychotherapy & learning (EAP, EAL), and  one-by-one, Cochise, Cabo, and Cisco came into their lives.

In addition to having served clients throughout Tucson, Sherry established an equine-assisted therapy program at a residential treatment center in Belize, Central America. She also facilitates workshops for therapists and other helping professionals, as a way to introduce them to EAP. 

Tim Heldt, EAGALA-certified

Our Special Horses

The main assisting horses of Equine Explorations are Sherry and Tim's three Quarter geldings-- Roco, Cochise, and Cisco-- and their pony, Cabo.

Along with the primary herd, other specially chosen horses of varying breeds, ages, and personalities sometimes join in assisting participants in the EAP experiential process.