Our Team

Meet the Heart and Soul of Golden Willow Retreat

Get to know the passionate and caring team behind Golden Willow Retreat, each committed to guiding you on your unique journey of healing and self-discovery.

Author, Founder & Executive Director

Ted Wiard, LPCC, CGC
LPCC

Jim Lengerich
LPCC, CGC

Karsyn Lahann
Operations Manager, CGC

Rebecca Ford
Caretaker, CGC

Alexandra Augustine

Author, Founder & Executive Director

Ted Wiard, LPCC, CGC

Ted Wiard along with his wife, Marcella, created Golden Willow from a combined vision of compassion and healing towards all life. Ted is a licensed clinical therapist, certified grief counselor, an ordained minister, a New Mexico certified schoolteacher and a certified tennis professional. Ted’s passion for working with grief, in its many forms, arose from his own personal losses in which he realized there were very few places that offered support and healing from grief.  While working at Betty Ford Center, Ted counseled individuals and families with clinical and spiritual support through the recovery process, realizing that many individuals rarely touch the underlying conditions that led them to their dysfunctional behaviors. He has written numerous articles on the subject of emotional healing, grief, loss, trauma and the connection verses disconnection of spirituality in grief, loss, life transitions as well as addiction and relapse prevention.  His book, “Witnessing Ted, The Journey to Potential Through Grief & Loss”, is a sensitive guide on the six aspects of grief and the journey to a wiser more authentic life.  He is sought out for speaking engagements nationally to offer his inspirational and dynamic message of hope and healing.

LPCC

Jim Lengerich

Jim has been a full-time resident of the Taos area for over 40 years. He obtained a Masters Degree in Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe and am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). He has been working with individuals, couples, families, and groups for over 17 years both in private practice and as a contract counselor/therapist for various nonprofit retreat centers including Golden Willow Retreat and the National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center. The focus of his work has been varied but mainly around issues of grief and loss, trauma (PTSD), addictions and overall personal growth mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My work includes Mindfulness, Body-Centered Therapy, Brainspotting which is most effective in treating and healing victims of trauma and PTSD, Energy work, Shamanic Practice and leading healing ceremonies and rituals. I have trained extensively with various indigenous elders, shamans and medicine people from North, Central, and South America in the healing potential available from Spirit through ceremony and ritual. The ceremonies and individual work in my practice assists people to work through their issues and awaken to one’s true essence with a deeper sense of connection to themselves, nature, their families, communities, and Spirit.

LPCC, CGC

Karsyn Lahann

Born and raised in Southern New Mexico, Karsyn quickly fell in love with the beauty and culture that is Taos County and its people. Karsyn is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and obtained her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico State University. She is also a Certified Grief Counselor. Karsyn has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. Karsyn’s primary background has been in acute mental health and substance use, with a focus on how loss and trauma impact both respectively. Karsyn utilizes a person-centered and psychodynamic approach with the hopes of helping individuals work towards their true authentic self and healing the mind, body, and soul.

Operations Manager, CGC

Rebecca Ford

Rebecca Ford is our Operations Manager at Golden Willow Retreat. She is a visionary business leader with over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership and business development for top Fortune 500 companies. Rebecca became a Certified Grief Educator through the David Kessler training program in the Summer of 2022. She is currently enrolled in Adams State University’s masters program for Clinical Mental Health, is completing her Trauma, Grief and Renewal Certificate Program through Southwestern College New Earth Institute, and is certified by John Hopkins University in Psychological First Aid. Rebecca has years of experience with team building and business management that has required her to demonstrate active listening and communication skills. Rebecca’s goal is to foster team collaboration that ensures all guests of Golden Willow Retreat are cared for in a kind, gentle manner and that they feel seen, heard, and valued on their path with grief, loss, and transition.

Caretaker, CGC

Alexandra Augustine

Since recognizing the similarity between the vast unknown of outer space, the mystery of humanity’s inner spaces, and their inextricable connection at a young age, the nature of existence and being, have been a constant focus in Alexandra’s life. Confronted with a succession of losses early in life, she sought out the diverse systems of meaning and purpose throughout humanity. Alexandra moved to Taos in 2015 to study integrative massage therapy, holistic healing arts, and myofascial yoga at UNM Taos. She also has an extensive background in horticulture, biodynamic agriculture, native plants, nutrition, healing arts, food alchemy, vipassana, and mindfulness meditation that informs her work and practice. On any given day you can find her communing with wild herbs, foods, and waters in the forest or high alpine desert, listening to music, or honing her healing arts practice. Alexandra joined the team at Golden Willow Retreat in the autumn of 2020 and was struck, knowing this was an opportunity for study and growth even further into life and the unknown.