Our Staff
Alicia Burns
Executive Director and Founder
It is always amazing to look back and see how God has worked in our lives through the years, and the way he brings things together that are better than one could ever imagine! My husband, Bruce, and I have been married for 36 years. We have two grown children, Collin who is married to Lupita, and Christianne who will soon be married to Dallas. We also have a daughter in heaven, Zara. Bruce and I have had experience working together in business since we got married – he is the entrepreneur, and I am the one that keeps the paperwork in order. On the farm side of things, I am the horse lover, and he is the one that keeps everything around here in order! We founded Cross Keys Equine Therapy in 2011 with the dream of walking alongside people working through trauma in a beautiful, peaceful setting, with horses. We understand firsthand the havoc that trauma can cause internally and the effects that can have on our relationships, and we also know the redeeming work of Christ and the perfect plan he has for all of us. I have a quote on my desk that reads “the prevenient grace of God is such that there is no event in our life without which we would be better off.” I don’t know who said it, but I know that there is life on the other side of trauma. I also know that we need people to walk alongside us on the journey. I’m not sure who is blessed more – our clients or we who get the privilege of working with them! Our clients are so incredibly special and so brave. And all those who have come alongside to join us in this work are such an integral part of making it happen. Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). There are a lot of people in this world that are struggling – thank you for being a part of helping them through their troubles! We are so thankful for you!
Austin Francis
LPC, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Integrated Somatic Trauma Therapy Practitioner
Austin Francis, LPC, CCTP, C-DBT, has worked with CKET since 2013. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Houghton University. Since moving to Virginia, with her own horse in tow, Austin earned her masters in Professional Counseling in 2016 and completed her residency in counseling as a lead clinician in Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) programs in middle and high schools in the Shenandoah Valley. Austin currently splits her time with CKET and Aurora Counseling, a private practice in Harrisonburg. Austin is trained in equine assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA, trauma-focused equine assisted psychotherapy (TF-EAP) through the Natural Lifemanship Institute. She is also certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), is a certified HeartMath Biofeedback Clinical Professional, and holds a certificate in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy from The Embody Lab. Austin is a member of the Virginia Counselors Association (VCA), the local chapter Central Valley Counselor Association CVCA, Natural Lifemanship, and The Embody Lab.
Sarah Matus
LMSW, LCSW, Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner
Sarah Matus has worked with CKET since 2014 when she started as a volunteer and has served on their board and leads the nonprofit’s fundraising and event planning efforts. Sarah earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Siena Collage and later earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Sarah has worked as a school social worker for a local school division since 2012 and completed her supervised clinical hours as a mental health professional at Cross Keys Equine Therapy. She earned her LCSW in 2021 and is passionate about growing her skillset as a clinician and Supervisor for Supervisees in Social Work. Sarah’s unique blend of educational and clinical perspectives, contributes to her whole-person approach. Sarah is trained in trauma-focused equine assisted psychotherapy (TF-EAP) through the Natural Lifemanship Institute, and is certified as a Trauma and Resilience Practitioner. Sarah is a member of the Virginia Association of School Social Workers and Natural Lifemanship.
Savannah Robb
MSW, Supervisee in Social Work
Savannah is a Virginia native who has always enjoyed all of the outdoor recreation opportunities that this area has to offer. As she got older, she began learning more about the connection between mental health and time spent outdoors. Savannah earned her degree in Psychology with a concentration in Life Coaching from Liberty University, before pausing my pursuit of education to start my family. She earned her masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and began seeking opportunities to provide therapy in an outdoor setting. Cross Keys Equine Therapy has been an answer to prayer! She is so thankful to have found a place that is dedicated to supporting people through their mental health journey using such a meaningful approach in an outdoor setting.
Rayah Secrist
Resident in Counseling
Rayah has a clinical background working with college students; however I am open to working with people of all ages and all backgrounds. She is passionate about incorporating nature-based interventions into the therapeutic experience, including “Walk & Talk” and outdoor sessions when working with clients with anxiety, depression, and interpersonal/relational issues. At CKET Rayah provides both Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy as well as traditional talk therapy. She primarily works from a person-centered, humanistic theoretical approach. Therefore, her main objective in her work with clients is to create an open, nonjudgemental space in which clients can share and process freely. Rayah believes the therapeutic relationship between counselor and client is vital to healing and growth. Thus, I work to ensure that my clients feel seen and understood in sessions and that the counseling environment is a safe space.
Jenna Bryant
Resident in Counseling
Ariana Freeman
Administrative Assistant, Equine Professional
Originally from Northern VA, Ariana fell in love with the Shenandoah Valley after earning her degree in Health Services and Business from James Madison University. She started working with Cross Keys Equine Therapy as an intern, and was responsible for handling administrative and bookkeeping tasks. During that time, she found my passion for working alongside a mental health professional to support clients through equine-assisted psychotherapy. Outside of CKET, Ariana manages the on-site boarding facility, Haven Stables, where she also trains horses and riders. She has two personal horses of her own, as well as a dog named Dakota, who is always there to happily greet you at the farm. With a lifelong background in working with horses, she has seen firsthand how these amazing animals help people form deep connections, gain personal insights, and navigate life’s challenges, fostering personal growth along the way.
Stefanie Gettle
Equine Professional, Thrive Coordinator
