Our Staff
Our Director
“Please keep Mended Hearts in mind, we are a locally ran, non-profit, Therapeutic Riding and Counseling Center who has been helping families, adults, and children for over 15 years! We rely on donations to help our families in need and to support our therapy animals!”
Julie Sellner
B.S.N., R.N, M.A., NCC, LCPC, Level 1 EFT Therapist, PATH Int. Member
Julie has earned certifications and completed training in many areas such as:
- * Addictive Disorders
- * Addiction Issues
- * ADHD/ADD
- * Anger Management
- * Autism/Related Disorders
- * Bipolar Disorder
- * Body Image/Self-Esteem Issues
- * Bullying/School Related Problems
- * Child/Adolescent Mental Health (broad spectrum of disorders)
- * CPR/First Aide
- *Critical Incident
- * Depression/Anxiety Management
- * Developmental Disorders/Disabilities
- * Divorce Issues
- * Eating Disorders
- * Equine (horse) Facilitated Mental Health Therapies
- * Family Counseling
- * Gender Identity Issues
- * Individual Counseling
- * Mood Regulation
- * Marriage Counseling
- * Personality Disorders
- * PTSD
- * Relationship Issues (family/couples)
- * Sand Tray/Play Therapies
- * Sexual Issues
- * Sexual Trauma Issues
- * Spirituality based counseling upon request
- * Suicide Prevention
- * Team building for Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- * Violence/Abuse Issues
Our Staff

Dr. Baker
During his doctoral training in clinical psychology, Dr. Baker specialized in the treatment of medical and health-related issues. He was a research assistant at: Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and Northwestern University Medical School Department of Psychiatry. Following completion of his doctoral coursework, he completed his Doctoral training at the University of Chicago Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Baker is a Member of the American Psychological Association and a member of the divisions of: Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, and Psychotherapy. He has given presentations at conferences including: The American Psychological Association, the Society of Behavior Medicine, and the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy.
Please contact 309-383-4323 or 309-688-HRSE for Dr. Baker’s availability.

Kim Scardina
Areas of Experience:
Women’s Issues
Adjustment Issues with Children and Teens
Eating Disorders
Body Image
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship Issues
Education:
Bradley University 2010
Bachelor of Science
Illinois State University 2008
Selected Activities and Continuing Education:
May 12 & May 19, 2018
Self-Compassion Tools for Teens: Overcoming Shame and the “Inner Critic”
March 23, 2018
The Ethical Treatment of Eating Disorders
June 9, 2017
Facilitated a bimonthly “Mind and Body Wellness Group” at Knox College
Spring 2016-Summer 2017
Addressing Modern Sexual Issues in Therapy: Effective Clinical Strategies for an Evolving World
November 18, 2016
Created and presented “Staying Out of the Swamp: A Metaphor Technique for Group Therapy” workshop for the annual ANAD Wellness, Not Weight Conference
September 25, 2015
Completed Illinois Clinical Supervision Training Requirements through IMHCA
November 2014
Counseling For Couples: Understanding and Improving Love Relationships
August 29, 2013
Over 75 Quick, On-The-Spot Techniques for Children with Emotional and Behavior Problems
April, 2, 2012

Frank Disney
M. Div.
Frank received his Master’s of Divinity in 1994 and served 12 years as a pastor. He has 7 years of experience as a foster care supervisor, with an additional 10 years of experience assisting clients to locate and engage in services. Frank was certified in 2017 in the Mandt System for de-escalation techniques.
Areas of Experience:
- Conflict Resolution
- Stress Management
- Communication Skills

Gabriella (Gabbie) Sloan
M.A, QMHP, NNCC
M.A. QMHP, NNCC
Gabbie graduated with her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2020. She is a nationally certified counselor and a qualified mental health professional. She has an undergraduate degree in Modern Language with a minor in psychology. During her years of graduate work, Gabbie worked primarily with the University of Florida’s PALS Thrive program, which is an organization dedicated to supporting adolescents in Central Florida. Through PALS, Gabbie was able to work as an intern at a local Florida high school, where she treated 20+ students over the course of a semester and led a LGBTQ+ support group. Gabbie also spent a semester working as an individual and group therapist at the University of Florida’s Psychiatric Hospital, where she worked with a team of physicians and counselors to treat severe psychiatric illnesses in adults and children alike. Gabbie also had the opportunity to work at a drug rehabilitation center while she lived in Florida, where she worked with women with various mental health concerns.
Gabbie’s primary methods of therapy include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Expressive Art Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders.
Areas of Interest:
Addictive Disorders, Anxiety and Panic Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorders, LGBTQ+ Support, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and issues relating to Childhood Abuse and Sexual Trauma
Carla Guiher
B.S. M.A. NCC MAC
Carla Guiher is a retired Counselor and college professor who has had a love of animals since childhood. She was the President of Counseling Clinic, INC in Overland Park, KS as well as an Adjunct Professor at Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS. After retiring she retuned to central Illinios to be closer to family. Carla has three Golden Retrievers, all of whom participate with WOOFS Thearpy Dogs. She will be combing her many years of experience in tghe counseling field along with her love of animals working as a volunteer therapist at Mended Hearts.
Carla earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Park Administration from the University of Illinois. After raising a familoy she graduated from Bradley University with a Master of Arts degree in Human Development Counseling. Focusing her research on Infertility Issues. While in Kansas, Couseling Clinic focused primarily on Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence. After completing Mediation Training for Child Custody in Divorce and Visitation she incorporated Child Custody Evaluations into the program, as well as marriage/divorce counseling. At Johnson County Comunity College she taught Psychology, as well as Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence for the Department of Criminal Justice.
Carla has earned Certifications as both a National Certified Counselor, and Masters Addication Counselor. Her practice will focus on Adults. Areas of concentration include personal growth, career counseling, marriage and divorce, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Carla’s approach to thearpy is holistic; combinging mind, body, and spirituality to creat a safe positive enviorment for healing. She will facilitate this by incorporating cats, dogs, and horses into sessions with clients. Her dogs will be available for in office sessions if requested.

Kevin- Ranch Manager/Volunteer
Angeleena Kern – Stable Handle

Angeleena Kern – Stable Handler
Desire Wilson - Stable Handler

Olivia Wilkie – Stable Handler
Olivia Started in August, 2020
Olivia Wilkie - Stable Handler
Emery Shaheen – Stable Handler
Emery started in December, 2020.

Zachariah Swords – Stable Handler

Our Board of Directors
Julie Sellner R.N., M.A. Executive Director (left)
Sue Barth R.N., M.S.N. Director (right)
Sally Perry Director (not pictured)
Clifton Perry Director (not pictured)