Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an experiential treatment method that involves clients interacting with horses. EAP has been used to treat issues including ADD, abuse, depression, anxiety, drug abuse, eating disorders, and more. In an EAP session, a client will typically groom, feed or walk the horse while the therapist observes the clients' reactions to the horse's behavior. Therapists that utilize EAP often believe that horses provide instant and accurate feedback of a client's thoughts and feelings, which can help both the therapist and client become more aware of these emotions. Horses are nonjudgmental, which can help clients connect with another living being that accepts them – making it easier to learn to trust, and easing the path into having trusting relationships with other people. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s EAP specialists today.

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Meet the specialists

 

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.

— Cornelia Seiffert, Clinical Social Worker in Pasadena, CA

I provide a somatic based approach to EAP. Horses can be powerful healing facilitators for clients. They are able to reflect back emotions to the people engaged with them whether the people are aware of their own emotions or not. This provides a great way to be able to externalize and work through various struggles in life. Horses are great with helping set boundaries, building self-awareness, developing healthy communication styles, and so much more.

— Kodie Mobbs, Associate Clinical Social Worker in Liberty Lake, WA
 

Equine Assisted Life Coaching holds a variety of opportunities in connecting with your inner child, your inner playfulness and innocence, increasing your own self awareness, and learning to enhance your communication in relationships. Equine is a great therapeutic activity for those who have low self esteem, have relationship issues, have difficulty communicating how they are feeling, have been engaging in substance use, or are interested in connecting to animals and nature as a coping skill.

— Angela Shankman, Therapist in Agoura Hills, CA

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.

— Katie Dolinsky, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Westbrook, ME
 

Equine Assisted Life Coaching holds a variety of opportunities in connecting with your inner child, your inner playfulness and innocence, increasing your own self awareness, and learning to enhance your communication in relationships. Equine is a great therapeutic activity for those who have low self esteem, have relationship issues, have difficulty communicating how they are feeling, have been engaging in substance use, or are interested in connecting to animals and nature as a coping skill.

— Angela Shankman, Therapist in Agoura Hills, CA
 

I combine my expertise as a therapist and social justice educator to offer equine-assisted psychotherapy rooted in the ethical inclusion of horses in human treatment. I can help you learn how to shift your perspective from a human-dominant framework to one of connection, dialogue and choice.

— Julia Alexander, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in ,

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.

— Lauren Petrilli, Clinical Social Worker in Tyngsboro, MA
 

EAP incorporates the mighty, empathic, and spiritual presence of horses into psychotherapy. Horses outwardly mirror what we feel inside in a way that is nonjudgmental, sensitive, and pure. They bond with us nonverbally in a special relationship that leaves many feeling profoundly seen and understood. I worked with youth survivors at a horse ranch and rescue for over 6 years before completing 3 years of clinical internship at an Equine Assisted Therapy program for youth in crisis.

— Rory Valentine Diller, M.A., Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA

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.

— Ariel Namowicz, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Elm Grove, WI
 

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.

— Bethaney Clark, Professional Counselor Associate in Gresham, OR

I am a Level 2 trained clinician in Natural Lifemanship, specializing in trauma-focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

— Shannon Brock, Therapist in Fort Edward, NY
 

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.

— kazmiera miller, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Attica, NY

Our therapist, Shannon Brock, LCSWR, is a Level 2 Clinician with Natural Lifemanship and she specializes in Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

— Adirondack Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, LCSW, Therapist in Fort Edward, NY
 

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.

— Heather Hanlin, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Marble Falls, TX