Leeanna Rice, originally from Southeast Idaho, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Idaho and attained her Master of Social Work degree, with an emphasis in military mental health, from the University of Southern California. She has had a license to practice clinical social work since 2017. Leeanna’s interest in a mental health profession was sparked by observing her father’s struggles with PTSD after two tours in Vietnam.
A horse lover, Leeanna came to The Shea Center in 2021 when looking for an equine facility that provided services to veterans and their families. What she found at the Center was an organization that was inspiring and always looking for new and unique ways to serve and help its clients progress.
Leeanna comments, “I am passionate about helping my clients grow and learn skills to live a healthier life. I am constantly awestruck by my clients who make incredible breakthroughs in their own mental health treatment when they work with their equine partners in situations I could never create in an office setting. The growth they experience is also faster and more significant than many traditional settings.”
She continues, “The biggest accomplishment of my professional career has been creating this unique Shea Center mental health program from the ground up. I am devoted to my clients and their journey toward healing, and I’m rewarded by my work with active duty or prior service military members with military related trauma. I also enjoy working with teenagers and adults who suffer from anxiety, depression and mood disorders.”
Involved in the mental health field for nine years, Leeanna began working with horses in the profession in 2018. Her certifications include a Master’s in Social Work (MSW); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL); and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)
Leeanna’s hobbies include hiking with her dogs, going to the beach, snowboarding, and going to the mountains in the winter. She also loves traveling and seeing new places, and trying new foods.
