A Place of Refuge

The Farm

Poorhouse Farm was purchased by my father 50 years ago. He envisioned the farm as a place of refuge for his children and grandchildren. This vision has proven to be prescient.

Some years ago, the farm became a place of refuge for me when I moved to Troy from Richmond. I became a commuter, working in Richmond and living on the farm. Eventually, I opened an additional solo practice in Charlottesville and went back and forth for a few years.

In 2020, COVID-19 upon us all, I began to work from the farm. I worked outside, under the trees, and sometimes around the campfire, bundled up. I also worked by phone, as the Internet was too weak to handle video conferencing. Eventually, I closed my offices, both in Richmond and Charlottesville.

Today, I continue working from my new farm office, 50 feet from my front door. It is a repurposed and reconstructed shed I bought on the side of the road. Some might say it resembles a she-shed, which works for me. Nature and calm define the space, both inside and outside.

My Farm Office

Many clients continue to trek to the farm, down a long dirt and gravel road. Here, they find quiet beauty and serenity. Nature serves the important function of grounding a restless spirit. My father would be pleased to know that the farm has become a place of refuge for his family and many other people in these stressful and complicated times.

Other clients, I have never met in person. We have sessions over the phone. Believe it or not, the phone seems to be as effective as in-person, maybe as a result of how I work. Many clients do a combination of both, depending on the demands of their time. I now have workable Internet and can do video sessions, but I prefer in-person or by phone. I’m flexible. Whatever works for you.

My Associates 

I have lots of dogs and chickens, who seem to live forever because the farm is the perfect place to grow up and grow old. 

  • Doodle

    Doodle is a lover and will give you 100 kisses. But his middle name should be Houdini—he is an escape artist! It’s probably how he wound up at the Fluvanna County SPCA where I found him.

  • Hudson

    Hudson and Oscar were rescue puppies from Pennsylvania. They joined the farm in 2017.

  • Beanie

    Beanie walked up to the farm in 2013 looking for a home. He is an ass.

  • Oscar

    This is Hudson’s brother, a Basset Hound - Hound dog mix. Oscar lives in Richmond, but visits regularly.

  • Birdie

    Birdie is extended family. She lives in New York, but visits the farm frequently.

  • Lucy

    Lucy walked up to the farm in 2008, scared and starving. She is the mom of the group and nurtures everyone.

  • Pearl

    Pearl walked up to the farm in June of 2021 in need of a home, and she has settled right in with her farm friends.

  • Humphrey

    Humphrey is the flock protector. I got him from the Fluvanna SPCA in 2008.

  • Petunia

    Petunia is a rescue dog that was found pregnant in the Smokey Mountains. She wound up at a rescue with her puppies, and I adopted her. She is a sweetie pie. Petunia has one rule, which is don’t smoosh me.

Then there are “the girls,” laying hens acquired at the onset of the pandemic. 

  • Henrietta

    Henrietta is my Martha Stewart chicken, a Buff Orpington. She’s a beauty queen.

  • Naughty Chicken

    Naughty is aptly named because she constantly escapes her large chicken pen. But, she knows her name and comes when called. She is my favorite, and I think she might be a genius.