Our Team
Tiffany Sauls, MD
Director and Founder of Asheville Integrative Psychiatry
Tiffany Sauls MD (she/her) is a board-certified child/adolescent and adult psychiatrist who specializes in integrative treatments for mental health. Originally from Atlanta, GA, she attended undergraduate at Davidson College in Davidson, NC, and medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. She completed a residency in Triple Board (Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry) at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY, and is a Diplomate with the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). Dr. Sauls' research includes the use of wilderness therapy as a treatment modality for at risk adolescents. She has served on a healthcare providers advisory committee for the Children and Nature Network and led a Prescribing Nature program for pediatricians across the United States. She has subsequently worked in both residential and outpatient settings with a continued focus on experiential and nature based therapies. Her path to psychedelic medicine came from an early curiosity about the healing potential of plants and nature. Dr. Sauls has completed training through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to provide MDMA assisted therapy to patients with treatment resistant PTSD. She is also trained in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of therapy. She is excited to bring psychedelic medicine combined with nature immersion both to the Southeastern United States and to the forefront of psychiatry. ​She lives on the edge of Pisgah National Forest in Asheville with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of pets. She makes beautiful stained glass flowers and plays outdoors when she can.
Stephanie Rice, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Stephanie (she/her) is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who is passionate about a holistic and integrative approach to care. With over a decade of experience as a critical care cardiac nurse, she bridges the gap between the medical model and natural medicine. Stephanie holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington, as well as an Associate Degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. She is also pursuing her 200-hr RYT yoga teacher certification to enhance mind-body integration in her practice. Life and work experiences have instilled in her a deeply rooted purpose to support the resilience of those recovering from trauma. She believes in the restorative powers of nature and community to invigorate the human mind, body, and spirit. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys hiking, running, playing guitar, and spending time with her dog, Dolly Farton.
Tandy Wells, LCMHC-A
Therapist
Tandy (he/him) is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor who has a passion for working with survivors of trauma and assisting people who struggle with addiction. Tandy has a master's degree from Western Carolina University and a BA in Psychology from North Carolina State University. As a graduate student, Tandy focused his studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy and its implications for addiction treatment. Tandy believes healing can occur by repairing disconnection with nature, the body, and the present moment. He hopes to help others reestablish these relationships by cultivating mindfulness, self-compassion, and radical acceptance. He is informed in the Internal Family Systems approach and incorporates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. During his leisure time, Tandy finds joy in hiking with his wife and daughter, foraging for edible mushrooms (maitakes are his favorite), mountain biking, snowboarding, yoga, and playing the banjo.
Kaity Horseman, LCSW, LCAS
Clinical Director of Ketamine Services; Therapist
Kaity Horseman (she/her) is a nature-based, experiential therapist who specializes in the treatment of trauma, depression, and anxiety for adults. Kaity received a bachelor’s degree from Georgia College in Outdoor Education with a minor in Business Management and a master’s degree in Social Work from Western Carolina University. Kaity engages with clients through a person-centered, embodied approach. She believes that each individual possesses inherent strengths and inner knowledge about what they need to adapt, survive, and connect. Her approach to therapy engages the limbic system of the brain and brings the whole body into the experience (head, heart, and gut) through a range of methods including: mindfulness, somatic therapy principles, experiential learning, use of metaphors through activity, rituals, or ceremony, attachment sciences, EMDR or Brainspotting, and psychedelic medicine assisted psychotherapy. Kaity resides in Asheville, NC with her husband and two dogs. Together they spend ample time in the mountains exploring and recreating.
Sandra Dowd, MCMHC, NCC, LCMHC
Clinical Therapist
Sandra (she/her) has a Bachelors Degree in Child Development at Central Michigan University and a Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. Sandra engages in attachment therapy, trauma healing, family systems & parts work, somatic reprocessing, integration through play and subtle shifts. She has over a decade of experience working in nature based settings orienting people back to play and connection with the natural world, using these as a pathway toward symbiosis, resilience through hardship, and attachment to love and belonging. Her outlook is to find wonderment in the simple nuances of life, to notice the interplay of light and shadow, and to explore metaphorical wisdom unlocked by the medicine. She hopes this teaches all of us how we can rest at home in our bodies, be at peace with ourselves while also moving our energy out into the world to create the life we want.
Spring Wood, LCMHC-A
Therapist
Spring (she/her) has an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Carolina University and a BS in Environmental, Soil, and Water Science from the University of Arkansas, but values the lessons learned in the school of life perhaps most of all. Prior to beginning a career as a counselor, she worked as a raft guide, a bus driver, a seller of Christmas trees, and an environmental specialist for the US Antarctic program, among other things. Spring believes in the healing power of connection between individuals and to community, acts of creation, time in nature, humor, and exploration of one’s authentic self. When she’s not working, Spring enjoys reading in a hammock, whitewater canoeing, video games, turning wrenches, and laughing deeply with her loved ones.
Erika McClung, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Erika McClung (she/her) earned a masters in Mental Health Nursing from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner trained in conventional mental health care, who received holistic and integrative mental health physician supervision to begin to bridge the gap between worlds. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner Erika provided patient-centered psychiatric mental health nursing care for over 9 years in inpatient child adolescent psychiatric treatment, summer camps, and community mental health settings caring for marginalized youth using a trauma focused approach. Erika’s interest in holistic health and her relationship with the more than human world led her to a training with The Equine Growth and Learning Association, she became EGALA certified as a mental health practitioner for Equine assisted psychotherapy in 2020.
Dave MacDonald, LCSW
Therapist
Dave (he/him) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing privately in Asheville, North Carolina. He holds a BA Degree in Philosophy, an MSW Degree and a Certificate in Artistic Blacksmithing. His clinical background is grounded in Psychoanalytic Oriented Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with complimentary training in body-oriented models of psychotherapy and trauma processing. He has a strong understanding of addictions and their relationship to trauma and has focused most of his 35+ year career honing his skills to treat Traumatic Stress in adults. His clinical skills include advanced training in EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and HeartMath BioFeedback. In 2019 he began formal training through MAPS to provide MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for Complex PTSD. He provides Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and is in ongoing training (of course) to deepen these skills. Finally, Dave is a mycophile, a synthesizer lover and an Artist Blacksmith. He creates trauma processing music and psychologically themed metal sculpture which speaks of trauma and healing.
Jess Toan LMBT, MA, Wellness & Recovery Coach
Bodywork, Mindful Movement, and Breathwork
Jess Toan (she/her) is a bodyworker, yoga instructor, and ordained ceremony officiant. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of healing arts. With a bachelor's degree in Religious Studies and a graduate degree in Health Arts and Sciences, she offers a holistic and intuitive approach to wellness, healing, and connection. Jess is trained in trauma-informed bodywork and yoga therapy, oncology massage, breathwork, Esalen massage, acupressure, hot stone therapy, and energy work. Nature is her church; her biggest teacher and healer. When she isn't working, she is hiking, mountain biking, or stand up paddle boarding with her husband and daughter.
Elizabeth Stafford, LMBT
Massage, Bodywork, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
A graduate of the Western North Carolina School of Massage, Elizabeth combines her training in Neuromuscular Therapy, Therapeutic Relaxation Massage, and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy to thoroughly attend to areas of tension, while supporting clients in creating more presence and ease in their bodies. She is especially passionate about supporting people moving through grief, and facilitating a sense of safety and choice in every session. She loves community singing, somatics, and learning how to re-enchant her relationship with the world.
Josh Short, MD
Owner, Integrative Physician, Client Services
Josh (he/him) completed medical school and residency in emergency medicine at the University of Kentucky and has practiced emergency medicine across the country, primarily in rural areas.  He has been a Diplomate with the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) since 2012 and is a site physician for the Expanded Access use of MDMA for PTSD. Dr. Short maintains an interest in trying to fix problems before they end up in the emergency room by connecting people to nature and their own ability to heal themselves.
Isabelle McKenzie (Izzie)
Marketing Coordinator
Izzie has always been passionate about art and creative outlets, and got her start working in graphic design and marketing at 14 when she volunteered to help create promotional materials for her family's non-profit centered around family health. She is currently the head creator at Lemon Lane Creative where she focuses on collaborating with mission-centered brands and companies with mission-based causes. Izzie is an advocate and strong supporter of holistic health and living, and has a personal background utilizing practices like mindfulness and meditation which drew her to the work being done here at AIP. She understands the importance of reflective mind body learning and is excited to be a part of such a fundamentally transformative community. In her spare time, Izzie spends most of her days rock climbing and hiking, and making a positive difference through advocacy in her volunteer work with local and national organizations such as the Sunrise Movement for environmental and social change.