Melissa Francis, LCMHC
Melissa Francis is a clinical mental health counselor in the state of North Carolina, specializing in providing support for grief, anxiety, depression, adjustment related concerns, and trauma. Melissa is committed to helping individuals navigate their emotional wellbeing by offering compassionate support utilizing person-centered approach, and evidence-based strategies. Melissa previously worked at Hospice of Lincoln County as a grief counselor providing support to children through adults in individual and group settings. Melissa is committed to helping individuals navigate the challenges they face today in providing a safe space for emotional healing and inner peace.
Melissa is a mother of two boys. Her youngest son is currently in the AirForce living with his wife in Arizona and her oldest son Jonathan is preparing to be married in December. Melissa enjoys spending time with her two adult sons when she can, 4 dogs, her friends, and traveling.
Melissa is honored to facilitate a 30 and over singles ministry at The Pointe church in Belmont, helping others in this season of their life to find God’s purpose and love for them.
Mindy Millsaps, Equine Professional, Wellness Coach and Program Director
Mindy brings a wealth of riding and training experience to Bit of Hope Ranch. She began taking English riding lessons at 10 years old and competed hunter/jumpers for over 10 years. Having started riding at a young age she understands how horsemanship teaches direction and responsibility which are important building blocks for today’s youth. She has a passion for working with people and horses and knows the special connection they can share. When she is not at the Ranch teaching she enjoys her time cooking, hiking and camping with her husband Scott and two children.
Laura Layton, Wellness Coach M.Ed, LPC, NCC
Contact Laura: lauralayton@bitofhoperanch.org
Laura is a National Board Certified Counselor, Certified Life Coach, & has a certificate in Biblical Counseling. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in GA & SC for over 10 years, & is currently seeking NC licensure in order to serve at Bit of Hope. She has dreamed of being part of such a place since first getting involved with Animal-Assisted Therapy almost 20 years ago. She currently resides in SC with her husband of 21 years, her 17 y.o. son, 2 dogs, 2 cats, & a rabbit.
Laura is passionate about helping individuals, marriages, families, & small groups to uncover & remove obstacles to a more abundant life... Whether through education, counseling, coaching, or intensive retreats, she is always honored to partner with people who are bravely seeking something better. Because each situation is unique, Laura offer a variety of services to encourage Mind-Body-Spirit & Relational health. Get in touch to talk about what's right for you!
Jim Snyder, MS, MA, NCC, LCMHC, LCMHCS
Jim received his Masters of Arts in Counseling from Colorado Christian University and has relocated from Colorado to North Carolina following God’s call to help. He enjoys working with men, women, and their families who struggle with the complex issues that people face these days. Jim volunteers at the Cleveland County Rescue Mission preaching regularly as an ordained minister.
Jim's fondness for horses run deep into his childhood where he rode daily during the summer months. This led him to seek out his Eagala training to combine his love of horses and love of helping people. By drawing on existential components and coupling them with cognitive behavioral perspectives, Jim is able to discover the deep rooted issues that are hindering growth.
Jim has written a book on overcoming masculine passivity and utilizes the techniques he has documented in helping men becoming more engaged. The book is called “Resurrection of Your Inner Hero: Rendering Passivity Obsolete“.
When Jim is not counseling, he can usually be found fly-fishing on a river or enjoying time with his family and "house ponies" aka Great Danes.
Megan E. Spraw Doyle M.A., LCMHCA
Contact: megandoyle@bitofhoperanch.org
Megan is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA), licensed in the state of North
Carolina since 2013. In addition to her education and training as a counselor, she also completed a year
long residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and served as a hospital chaplain. Megan also has
experience working in full-time Christian ministry as a campus minister as well as elementary and high
school education and sports coaching. She has also previously worked for a non profit agency as a
bilingual counselor and summer camp director, serving those affected by domestic violence, sexual
trauma, and human trafficking.
Believing people are complex beings created to be “whole” and capable of growth and change, Megan
believes in incorporating a holistic approach to come alongside clients and partner with them to pursue
healing and whole-ness. She enjoys working with all ages, individuals, families, and groups through
therapy, briefing/debriefing related to overseas ministry/travel, camps, and retreats. She loves having
the opportunity to incorporate faith, the outdoors, and our animal friends at the ranch in her work.
Although originally from Ohio, Megan has also lived in the upper Midwest, overseas, and in the
Carolinas for over 18 years. Currently, she resides in South Carolina with her three children and rescue
dog. In her free time, Megan enjoys spending time with her kids, exploring new places, being outdoors,
and sewing.
Gabrielle Montez MA, LCMHC
MA, LCMHC
GabrielleMontez@bitofhoperanch.org
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Biblical Theology from Continental Theological Seminary in Belgium where I graduated with honors in 2010. It was through my time spent in seminary that I felt called to minister to people in a different capacity by working with individuals to heal the soul wounds caused by the world that we live in and its effects. With this dream, I then went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA in the Spring of 2017. Upon graduation I moved back to my hometown in North Carolina to gain experience in the field of mental health.
My clinical experience in mental health counseling includes working with children, adolescents, and adults in both the individual and group setting. I have worked with clients in areas of intake, psychological testing and assessment, managing depression and anxiety, PTSD and trauma, stress management, life skills coaching, issues of parenting and family counseling, and de-escalation techniques. I began my work with children, ages 9-13, primarily in the group setting, with a focus on both life skills, and social skills for children who carry mental health diagnosis. I went on to work with adults diagnosed with mental disorders in long-term residential treatment for a year. Following my work in long-term residential I worked as a Qualified Professional in a group home for adolescent boys diagnosed with co-occurring disorders for nearly a year. Following my work in the group home I provided intensive in-home services for children ages 5-18 and their families using the Family Centered Treatment model over the last 2 years.
I am currently working in an outpatient capacity providing comprehensive clinical assessments and outpatient counseling for adults, children, adolescents, and families. I utilize a person-centered view of individuals as they are inherently capable of growth and change. It is also important to note that a person-centered approach allows for treatment to be client led. It is my privilege to partner with individuals on their journey of mental wellness and to witness these individuals make their goals a reality. I also believe in taking a holistic approach to mental wellness that addresses the entirety of an individual, mind, body, and spirit. A holistic approach also considers the biological, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of a person to include the family system they are born into and as such these are all elements that we will reflect on in our work together. I also take a trauma- informed approach to counseling which means that I believe adverse experiences in the past have an influence on how an individual navigates their present circumstances. In particular, an individual’s beliefs about themselves and the world, and the values they place on each, are crucial to any discussion related to behavioral change. I am thrilled to now be able to enhance my skillset and interventions by incorporating animals into my therapeutic practice. I have long believed that animals are often more aware of how we are feeling than we are aware of. Research has shown that positive interactions with animals are often beneficial for the mind and body by way of reducing stress and contributing to a more balanced emotional state. Plus, it is FUN!
I spend my free time hanging out with my husband and our two fur babies. You will see me at my most content taking a walk in nature, soaking up the sun, or hanging out in the barn.
Sara Wyatt M.A., LCMHCA
LCMHCA, NCC
Sara is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. She completed her master’s in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May of 2022. She also spent one year as a counseling intern at Bit of Hope Ranch during her schooling.
Sara is passionate about helping clients of all ages find their inner strength and confidence. She enjoys incorporating other modalities into equine therapy such as art and play. She loves to be in nature and believes that nature is healing. Before she came to Bit of Hope Ranch, Sara had never spent any time with horses. Now, she cannot imagine her life without these special creatures. It was her love of nature and passion for helping others that led her to Bit of Hope Ranch.
When Sara is not at Bit of Hope, she can be found spending time with her family and friends, reading, or crocheting with her dog, Doodle Bug, next to her.
Mackenzie Murr, Equine Professional and Wellness Coach
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor from Winthrop University. I attended Appalachian State University for undergrad with a bachelors of science degree in psychology. I am currently certified in the Natural Lifemanship and EAGALA models of equine therapy and am an equine specialist at Bit of Hope. I have been at the ranch for about 5 years, starting as a counseling intern. I have two horses of my own that I compete in dressage and eventing. When I am not at Bit of Hope or riding my own horses, I can typically be found cuddling and playing with my two Great Danes and my daughter, Noa.