Welcome to Bloom Empowerment, LLC

ChatGPT Image Sep 2, 2026 at 01_27_08 PM

Clinical Depth. Human Connection.

Andrea “Andi” Metcalf, LSCSW, PMH-C, ESMHL, is the founder and owner of Bloom Empowerment, LLC, which operates as Heartland Equine-Assisted Counseling at Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work from The University of Kansas. Following graduate school, Andi completed more than 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice and earned clinical licensure in both Kansas and Missouri. Her professional background includes acute inpatient psychiatric care, crisis intervention, intensive outpatient groups (IOP), individual therapy, and equine-assisted trauma treatment with individuals and groups.

Andi brings a steady, practical approach to her work and shows up as her authentic self (she learned this from horses and her own therapist). Clients can expect clinical expertise, honest conversations, genuine warmth, and the occasional “mom joke”—often met with an eye roll, a grin, or both. Her work is evidence-based but never one-size-fits-all. Andi believes effective therapy should feel human, practical, and tailored to the person in front of her. Depending on each client’s needs, treatment may include EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, and/or equine-assisted counseling.

Andi specializes in complex trauma, women’s mental health—including transition to adulthood, perinatal/postpartum, and the unique experiences of later life transitions and identity. Andi supports medical providers, therapists, and First Responders who experience profession-related compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.

Andi is an EMDR Certified Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant through The Touchstone Institute where she provides EMDR consultation for therapists navigating complex clinical work or pursuing EMDR Certification.

In addition to a lifelong love...obsession?....with horses, she is PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) and is trained in both EAGALA roles: Equine Specialist (ES) and Mental Health Professional (MH). Rounding out a trifecta of women's wellness + trauma healing + Horses she is passionate about evidence-based clinician training, thoughtful program development, and collaborative efforts that strengthen the quality and integrity of equine-assisted mental health services.

Horses, Humor & a Full-Circle Story

Horses were part of Andi’s story long before they became part of her clinical work. She fell in love with them early and knows firsthand how time with horses can help us slow down, regulate, and process emotions that may be difficult to put into words.

Her connection with Heartland Therapeutic Riding began in 2000, when she was 14 years old. After her mom—a physical therapist certified in hippotherapy—introduced her to equine-assisted services, Andi began volunteering at Heartland—first as a side-walker, then as a horse leader, and eventually as barn staff. Those early equine experiences shaped a lifelong vision of bringing horses and licensed mental health care together to support connection, trust, and healing beyond the traditional office—and directly in the barn! Returning years later to develop and direct the Equine-Assisted Counseling Program at Heartland has brought her journey full circle.

Today, her relationship with horses continues through her own “Empowerment Pony,” Trixie! Andi and Trixie share similarly sweet-but-sassy personalities that provide ongoing lessons about patience, boundaries, communication, and the importance of keeping a sense of humor.

Andi was raised in a family of helping professionals, including retired and active first responders, and she is also a former NICU mom. Together, these experiences give her a personal appreciation for the culture, humor, vigilance, and cumulative stress that can shape medical providers, therapists, and first responders. It also means she has been thoroughly reminded that “ignition sources” (aka candles) and “securing the perimeter” (aka locking the front door) are NO JOKE!