We provide Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) for individuals and partner with the non-profit Unbridled to offer Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) for groups.
The Approach
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EAT is an experiential modality that moves the clinical process from the office to the arena. We utilize a collaborative team model consisting of a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and the horses. Because horses are highly sensitive to non-verbal cues and emotional energy, they act as a “mirror,” providing immediate, honest feedback that helps clients identify patterns and process emotions in real time.
Our Services
- Individual Therapy: An experiential alternative for those looking to move beyond the limitations of office-based counseling.
- Provider Collaboration: We partner with external therapists to help “unstuck” clients. When traditional therapy plateaus, the arena offers a physical environment to work through clinical goals that may be difficult to access in a seated session.
- Group Learning: Through our partnership with Unbridled, we combine a collaborative approach with horses and a custom strengths-based, values-driven, neuroscience informed model curriculum. Participants will explore emotional regulation, relational awareness, and purpose-centered growth. The group curriculum examines how stress responses (fight, flight, freeze) influence behavior and includes experiential engagement promoting self-regulation techniques, and introspect into clear, values aligned decision making. The curriculum was created by Unbridled and Freedom Reins Counseling provides the mental health component of the Equine Assisted Learning group.
Clinical Standards
Our clinicians and specialists are trained in the industry’s most rigorous models, including:
- EAGALA: A solution-focused, ground-based global standard.
- OK Corral Series: Developed by the founder of EAP, focusing on authentic equine/human observation.
- Natural Lifemanship: A trauma-informed approach based on neuroscience and the psychology of relationships.
Sessions take place in a safe arena environment, focusing on ground-based activities rather than riding, ensuring the focus remains on the therapeutic relationship and personal growth.