Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 am an EAGALA-Certified Practitioner.

I partner with a local EAP barn to provide the wodner of healing trauma with horses.

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.

I am a certified EAP Mental Health Professional with EAGALA

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.

EAGALA OkCorral Natural Lifemanship Level 1 trained HERD Institute