Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

I am a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. I offer in-person equine-assisted psychotherapy in Pasadena, CA. I have over 40 years of experience with horses and believe they can teach us a great deal about ourselves. Equines are partners in my treatment and you will be outside and in nature which also adds to your healing.

I have worked with horses for over 35 years and incorporating them in therapy is my passion. I have been trained in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in multiple modalities including the Human Equine Relational Development (HERD) institute, The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), and the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). I teach this subject at the university level and have presented at many conferences over the years.

Porter's House Inc. is excited to be working in collaboration with Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center, located in Bristol, to offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to our clients! EAP is the combined use of horses, a licensed therapist, and an equine specialist to support clients in making progress towards individual treatment goals. The client's relationship with the horse can be utilized as a tool to mirror real-life experiences and to explore patterns in their own relationships.

Horses are one of nature's most intuitive & empathetic animals. They can mirror an individual's emotions which makes them a great therapeutic assistance. Equine-Assisted-Psychotherapy (EAP) assists in emotional regulation, increasing cognitive skills, reducing stress & easing symptoms of PTSD, trauma as well as depression. EAP also assists individuals when it comes to destructive behavior, habits and relationship patterns. Come try EAP out with me today!

I am certified in and practice Equine-Assisted Therapy in addition to traditional services. This experiential mode of therapy allows clients to explore healing in a unique and relational way with both human and horse facilitators. I have grown up around horses and adding them to my counseling work has integrated well into my professional life.

I am currently in the process of certification in Natural Lifemanship EAP and help previous certification in EAGALA EAP. I have a lifetime of experience with horses and know firsthand their impact on our emotional states.

EAP is an experiential, or hands-on, approach. It moves past, or in conjunction with, traditional talk therapy. It is effective in treating a variety of difficulties from anxiety and mood disorders to interpersonal and relationship conflicts. It is not therapeutic riding and is done completely or mostly from the ground. It involves building relationships with horses and completing various tasks with them in order to achieve your goals. This can be used with children and adults.

I earned a Certificate of Completion for Level 1 Embodied Equine Psychotherapy™ in 2021. This approach encourages growth and healing through an embodied, experiential, and relational approach with the equines as co-therapists. It is a foundation for my continued learning within equine facilitated psychotherapy.

I provide equine assisted psychotherapy (or horse assisted therapy). This part of my practice, however, is private pay rather than insurance based. Equine-assisted psychotherapy is therapy that features interactions with horses. EAP is facilitated by a Mental Health Professional and an Equine Specialist. All EAP is done through ground work and there is no riding of horses. EAP instead focuses on caring for and working with horses to achieve goals similar to those of traditional psychotherapy.

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