Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Horses are HEALING! Come experience the transformative power of horses through our equine therapy program. With gentle, guided therapy, our horses provide a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to connect, heal, and rediscover their inner strength. Whether you're seeking personal growth, or emotional healing, our program helps foster deep connections that promote lasting change. Our horses offer a unique opportunity to overcome challenges, build confidence, and embrace the healing process.

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."

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.

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.

I am trained in and practice Embodied Equine Psychotherapy™, which is an experiential, somatic and relational approach to working with clients and horses. I combine this approach with my knowledge of relationships, connection and trauma to create a unique and healing experience for my clients.

A horse is a beautiful majestic creature, and when one interacts with you there is a sense of awe. But horses can also be opinionated, stubborn, quirky, reluctant, many of the same things that might challenge you. Horses don't sit there worrying about these things, they just are who they are. And they can help us see ourselves for the rich beings we are too, strengths and flaws alike.

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!

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

In partnership with Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary, I bring client out to meet their new best fur friend. Through different exercises and skills, clients make incredible gains in finding calm and connection after a history of trauma and anxiety. All sessions are on the ground (no riding, sorry!) to support growth and connection. While I only schedule visits at the farm one day per week, clients beg to come for multiple sessions per week.

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

I am a certified EAGALA mental health specialist and am also trained in Natural Lifemanship.

My equine practice is located at the beautiful Wildsong Ranch in Longmont. This is a wonderfully supportive modality for those who prefer working in the environment and being surrounded by nature.