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Abbie Chesney, MA, LPC
Eating Disorder Specialist

Abbie's philosophy on life goes something like this: If it's not working for you, try something new. If you make a mistake, own it and care for it. Mistakes can be the greatest thing we ever do.

Born and raised right here in Dallas, Abbie came out of Southern Methodist University with a double degree in Business and Biology and the realization that her earlier plans of becoming a veterinarian were unlikely to materialize. After a little soul searching and collectively finishing up her undergraduate psychology hours from Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas, Abbie ended up working on her Masters in Counseling at Dallas Baptist University.

Abbie is a licensed professional counselor. She enjoys counseling all different people, Abbie was drawn to counseling from her own experiences with an eating disorder. She enjoys working with those who are ready to change the behavior patterns. Eating disorders start for a multitude of reasons and can cause damage to the body of the individual participating in the disease, damage to the family system, and damage to functioning in every day life. Abbie feels strongly about unveiling the relationship with the eating disorder and reconnecting her clients to their families, friends, and support systems. Coming to counseling with the knowledge of what it is like to stand in her client's shoes, she can offer a genuine, yet pointed approach to dealing with those who are suffering from an eating disorder. In addition to working with eating disordered individuals, Abbie works with adolescents and adults who are dealing with a variety of issues, including anxiety, addictions, depression and co-dependency.

Abbie is also responsible for the newest addition to LifeWorks, Horses Heal. As a rider since the young age of eight, Abbie is now able to join together her fascination and companionship of horses with her excitement for the field of counseling. Abbie was certified by EAGALA in 2004.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used by therapists, treatment facilities, and human development courses around the world. But EAP has the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings.