Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

I've co-facilitated equine assisted psychotherapy sessions since 2010 as an equine professional and since 2023 as a clinician. I've received training from organizations including PATH International, EAGALA, Natural Lifemanship, and OK Corral. The equine assisted sessions lend an organically somatic and experiential lens to sessions that is immediate and relational. Especially for clients who would rather move and do than sit and talk, it can be a highly effective way to get "unstuck."

With my team of rescue horses I aim to allow clients to engage with and enjoy horses in varying levels, from sitting and watching them from afar to brushing and walking them with consent. The focus is on relationship and trust building.

Horses have been used for therapeutic purposes since the time of the ancient Greeks. The Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine," wrote about the therapeutic potential of horseback riding. Equine-assisted psychotherapy incorporates horses into the therapeutic process. People engage in activities such as grooming, feeding, and leading a horse while being supervised by a mental health professional.

Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) / Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) -Accepting new clients for EAP beginning March 1, 2023

If traditional talk therapy has not been beneficial for you in the past, it doesn't mean that therapy may not be a helpful option for you. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) provides an alternative approach that can facilitate healing in the presence of horses, tapping into the innate human-animal bond. The presence of horses can create a unique and therapeutic environment where individuals can explore and process emotions, experiences, and challenges.

Equines are extremely intuitive, crave connection, and can hold a conversation without words. Allow me to introduce you to these beautifully healing creatures.

Utilizing horses in the therapy session allows for a unique way to address internal feelings and communication. The horse(s) joins the session in a way that fits the specific needs of each client, whether it is building self-esteem, working through anger issues or developing healthier communication skills.

I am trained in level 1 and level 2 of Natural Lifemanship I have experienced working with PATH and EAGALA

EAP is an experiential approach to therapy. Rather than talking about what has happened, we use expressive tools and activities to recreate or reenact emotional experiences. As you build a relationship with a horse, your patterns of interactions with others surface so we can see where you need to heal your relationship with yourself and with others. People learn to have healthy boundaries, connect to their bodies and emotions, and have connected relationships!

Our in-person therapists specialize in Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

I utilize trauma focused equine assisted psychotherapy in conjunction with other modalities with my clients.