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.

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."

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.

EAP is an experiential approach to therapy where we include horses to help us learn boundaries, healthier relationship and attachment behaviors, regulation of our emotions and survival responses, and mindfulness practices. I have attended multiple Natural Lifemanship trainings focusing on EAP as an intervention for difficulties with feeling safe and connected in relationship, past trauma processing, and present moment regulation and mindfulness.

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.

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.

Equines are extremely intuitive, crave connection, and can hold a conversation without words. Allow me to introduce you to these beautifully healing creatures.

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

I received a graduate certificate in Equine Assisted Mental Health and have worked in the equine assisted therapy field in some capacity for over ten years. I am trained in equine assisted EMDR through equilateral. I am also a PATH intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor.

I am now offering equine assisted therapy in West Chester, PA!

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.