Faculty

Duey Freeman, MA, LPC

Duey Freeman is a licensed psychotherapist, teacher, consultant and administrator. He has extensive training and experience in gestalt therapy, family therapy, bioenergetics, and therapy with children and adolescents. He joined and revived the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies in 1982 and continues to teach extensively at GIR as well as presenting nationally in the area of Gestalt Therapy and Development. 

In 2005, Duey Freeman and Joan Rieger founded the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies. Duey and Joan travel across the US and throughout the world teaching and helping others establish Institutes and learn this style of therapy.
www.dueyfreeman.org

Joan Rieger, MA, LPC

Joan Rieger, MA, LPC is a licensed psychotherapist with her Masters in Counseling from Naropa University (2001).  She is currently in private practice in Lafayette, CO specializing in trauma & abuse, attachment issues, couples counseling, depression, and grief.  She offers both psychotherapy and equine psychotherapy for individuals and couples.  Along with being a faculty member at GIR, Joan is also the co-founder of the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies.  Prior to becoming a therapist, Joan spent 10 years in customer business development at Procter & Gamble.  Once a therapist, she worked extensively with families and adolescents as the clinical director at a wilderness therapy program.   She was also the clinical supervisor for the Medicine Horse Program, and an adjunct faculty member for Naropa University teaching the masters level Gestalt class.  Joan has traveled extensively to Australia, New Zealand and England to co-facilitate trainings and teach the Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy model.  Joan is certified as a Gestalt therapist from the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies, and trained in Level 1 Somatic Experiencing.  ​​

Erika Friess, MA

Erika Friess, MA, is a registered Psychotherapist who received her Masters Degree in Counseling from Naropa University. Erika also has a Level One Trauma Training Certificate from the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and is certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist from the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies (GEIR). Erika is pursuing her dream of having her own private practice which incorporates her passion for serving others and working with horses. She believes that horses can teach us a great deal about ourselves. They are beings who constantly live in the present moment. This way of living provides a great opportunity for us to be in the present with them. Upon doing so, we can see how our lives are unfolding.

Erika started working with GEIR as an intern three years ago and is now a part of the GEIR faculty. She is a member of both the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association (RMQHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association(AQHA). Some of her achievements through competing in western pleasure include showing up to the national level while in college through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and receiving the title of the National Western Shock Show Champion through the United States Equestrian Federation.