Equine Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy

What do you think of when you picture therapy? Is it a small room with someone you barely know analyzing your thoughts while you sit on a couch?  That would be a fair guess, but Equine Assisted Therapy is a bit different. 

How is it different

Equine Assisted Therapy takes place at a barn, with a horse and a team of helpers. While that may not seem like the traditional method of therapy, many people find it helpful for 

• Behavioral problems

• Relationship issues

• Grief

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

• Addiction

• Eating disorders

• Therapy Resistant clients

Many times clients that would generally resist therapy, or have struggled to get better in traditional therapy do better with Equine Assisted Therapy.  Clients can reach healing faster or easier with the opportunity the horse provides, though non-verbal communications, to create a deeper connection. This connection develops a feeling of trust that allows the client to dig deeper, learn empathy and create new, healthier behaviors and relationships.

How is it the same

Although equine therapy can be different from traditional therapy, it also has some things in common. Equine Assisted Therapy still involves a fully trained and licensed therapist. It also still uses many of the same processes that your traditional “couch therapist” would use like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness. Equine Assisted Therapy can also leave patience with improved self-esteem, self-awareness, confidence, and empathy much the same way that traditional therapy can.