Take Heart Counseling & Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy is experiential and metaphorical in nature. Studies are proving it to be an effective alternative or addition to traditional therapy. Some sessions may be more learning-oriented, meaning you may practice skills which translate into other situations you may be facing. Some sessions will be more psychotherapeutic, in which deep healing through corrective experiences may occur. Working with horses provides an organic environment for experiencing, understanding, and discussing one's feelings and behaviors, in which individuals are challenged to grow and change.

Horses live "in the moment," and have distinct individual personalities. As herd animals, they are extremely relationship-oriented. Horses intuitively and honestly mirror the emotions of those around them, creating opportunities for us to increase self-awareness and practice building relationships.

Bonding with horses facilitates a process in which clients can gain insight into their circumstances and how they currently interact in them through experience, as well as practice change in a forgiving environment. Along the way, clients develop confidence, patience, mutual respect, responsibility, problem-solving abilities, healthy coping techniques, and other life skills through interactions with the horses.

Session activities are tailored to fit a client's needs and will vary. Each session will end with a time of processing and discussing the activities.

Therapists Meagan Good, M.A and Sarah Walter, M.A. have been inspired by horses throughout their lives, and work to integrate Christian Counseling and the healing power of the horse-human bond through equine assisted therapy.