Equine Assisted Coaching and Learning
Equine Assisted Coaching and Learning incorporates horses experientially for personal and professional growth and team-building. This means that you will learn about yourself and others by participating in activities with the horses and then processing or discussing thoughts, beliefs, behaviors and patterns. It is a collaborative effort between the horses, a mental health professional, certified coach, or professional educator and an equine specialist. The team works with you to achieve specific goals, personal transformation, and/or business development.
Experiences are structured in order for participants to take initiative, make decisions and be accountable for results. You will be actively engaged in posing questions, investigating, experimenting, solving problems, assuming responsibility, and constructing meaning throughout the process. Opportunities are nurtured to explore and examine personal values. The results of the learning are personal and form the basis for future experiences.
Team building activities with the horses motivate your team to work together, identify strengths and improve productivity. We offer groups the opportunity to step out of the office and interact with horses to increase personal awareness, thus improving your team dynamics to work together interdependently for a common goal.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an experiential and metaphorical modality of mental health treatment, meaning what you experience with the horses has meaning for you outside of the farm as well. It is a joint effort of a professional facilitation team consisting of horses, a mental health professional, and an equine specialist. The team approach ensures both the physical and emotional safety of all. Your mental health treatment goals, objectives, and interventions are the focus. Sessions are structured around the each individual's treatment plan.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy addresses many mental health concerns including, but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and coping with grief. The primary reason we partner with horses for therapy is because a horse will react or respond to a person's behavior in much the same way that another person will. You will gain insights and can then make changes in yourself to improve relationships in more complex human interactions. People who do not feel comfortable in a traditional office setting, or who feel stuck in their current treatment may find Equine Assisted Psychotherapy especially beneficial.
Equine Alliance for Transformation and Healing offers a non-judgmental space for you to learn about yourself and others by interacting with the horses and experiencing the tranquility of the farm. You do not have to be familiar with horses to have a powerful session.
Equine Assisted Learning, Coaching and Psychotherapy is participant driven. There is always an equine specialist and licensed/certified professional along with you and the horses in each session. The role of the professional facilitators is to ensure your physical and emotional safety as well as that of the horses. Our team will set up experiences, support you and your group, and facilitate the learning process. The sessions may occur in the barn, pasture, arena or woods so it is suggested that you dress accordingly.
During the sessions, the professional facilitation team may move around to observe the horses’ interactions and behaviors. The observations may be discussed with you at the conclusion of the session resulting in personal reflection and insight. There is no specific way sessions are to unfold.
Workshops and individual sessions are geared towards adults, ages 18 and over.
