Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

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.

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."

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

Professionals guide clients through activities with horses. There are different kinds of equine programs, and they have different goals for the people involved. Some programs are part of mental health treatment. In other cases, clients ride horses as part of a physical or occupational therapy regimen. Equine therapy programs can help treat: behavioral problems, relationship issues, grief, anxiety, depression, ADHA, addiction, eating disorders, and more.

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.

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.

EAP (EQUINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY) is a form of experiential therapy where the participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses. Horses in EAP are used for growth, learning, and healing.

We, at Porter's House Inc., are excited to be working in collaboration with Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center in Bristol, CT to provide clients with Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)! 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.

PATH International Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning (ESMHL)

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.

I utilize trauma focused equine assisted psychotherapy in conjunction with other modalities with my clients.