Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

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.

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.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy combines evidence based counseling methods with a "hands on" therapeutic experience in a beautiful outdoor setting to help you get out of your head & practice real change in the moment. All activities are ground-based, there is no riding and no horse experience is necessary. Perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors & recognize the powerful therapeutic potential of animals & nature.

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 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 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.

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.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy utilizes the horse as a tool in the therapeutic process. I am a PATH certified therapeutic horseback riding instructor as well as EAGALA trained in EAP.

I offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy at a facility nearby.

Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) / Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) -Accepting new clients for EAP beginning March 1, 2023

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.