by Lisa Schauer
Nestled in the woods of a 300-acre farm on the Virginia state line, Twilight’s Holistic Healing has opened on U.S. 522 south of Berkeley Springs.
Owner Erin Harris-Smith, a licensed professional counselor and yoga instructor, practices trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and youth ages five to 18.
The business is located on Twilight Farms, formerly owned by Frederick and Twila Michael, grandparents of Harris-Smith’s husband. Hence the name, Twilight, came into being.
Harris-Smith incorporates nature, and a holistic, mind-body approach to help heal childhood traumas.
Occasional yoga classes, nature walks, and painting activities are also offered at Twilight’s Holistic Healing, emphasizing the mind-body-spirit connection.
“Nature is a connector. You can ground yourself in nature,” said Harris-Smith, who uses play therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, and animal companions in her counseling sessions.
“Animal companions are comforting. They can read your energy,” she continued, driving a Side-by-Side down the hill from a log guesthouse, where she meets with clients.
Harris-Smith pulls up to a herd of eight myotonic goats, commonly known as Tennessee fainting goats, or stiff-leg goats, after a hereditary condition called myotonia congenita that may cause them to stiffen or fall over when excited or startled.
In addition to visiting the goats, where they can learn about resiliency building, children can also collect eggs from the chicken coop, and interact with emotional-support dogs on the farm.
Remote therapy is offered at Twilight’s Holistic Healing, as well as in-person family counseling.
Harris-Smith is also involved in Empower U West Virginia, a group of young women in Morgan County seeking to empower, create awareness, and encourage one another. The group meets at Warm Springs Middle School.
