Our Team

Vallerie E. Coleman, Ph.D., Psy.D. (PSY12592) (left) is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who has  been in practice for over 20 years.  She is the founder and Clinical Director of Stand InBalance and also has a private practice in Santa Monica, CA.  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy allows Dr. Coleman to combine her analytical knowledge with her love and respect for horses - maximizing the powerful capacity these magnificent animals have for facilitating human growth and development. Her work is grounded in a combination of object relations theory, attachement theory, and sensorimotor psychotherapy.  She has been on faculty at Loyola Marymount University and the Newport Psychoanalytic Institute. 

 Natasha Filippides, MS, MFTi. is a registered MFT intern with Stand InBalance as well as a certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).  She received her Bachelors degree in Cognitive Science and a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of La Verne. Natasha met her first horse at 5 years old, and has since trained and shown in both jumping and classical dressage. She has personally experienced the healing power of horses and is grateful to have the opportunity to share her knowledge; inspiring growth, change, balance, and authenticity.  Aside from her equine, human, and administration duties with Stand InBalance, she is somehow finding time for her Ph.D. studies at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

All Stand InBalance professionals are EAGALA certified.