Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
What is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine-assisted psychotherapy is a therapy session with a psychologist and horses. The therapy session happens with a herd of horses who are at liberty (meaning they are not haltered). This gives the horses autonomy to engage in various ways within the session if they choose to.
Generally sessions will have a mix of talking and observing and engaging with the horses. All work is done on the ground, there is NO riding in sessions. Activities that could be integrated include grooming, haltering, moving, petting and leading the horses.
Horses are prey animals and are attuned to energy, and physiological changes in people (who are predators) to protect themselves. This can be very helpful in therapy by helping us start to recognize our own physical changes and responses to stress, trauma and various emotions because horses will often act like a mirror to our internal state.
You do not need to have any experience with horses to do equine therapy.
Where can I do Equine-Assisted
Psychotherapy?
The location I have access to do equine-assisted psychotherapy is located between Bentley and Rimbey, Alberta (about 45min from Red Deer).
Who can do Equine-Assisted
Psychotherapy?
Equine-assisted psychotherapy can support clients with various concerns. I currently work with individuals (16+), so this is not something I can offer to children or preteens.
If you are interested, in equine-assisted psychotherapy, you can reach out and we will schedule a time to talk about what you're hoping to work on and we can determine if equine-assisted psychotherapy will be an appropriate fit.
There is also an option to do both therapy in office or virtually and do some equine-assisted sessions as well.
How much does Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy cost?
The cost for equine-assisted psychotherapy is $230/session. If your benefit plan covers services with a Registered Provisional Psychologist it should also cover an equine-assisted psychotherapy session since this is a regular therapy session with an equine component.
How Can I Book Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
All equine sessions must be booked directly with Brooke and cannot be booked online. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy New Client Consultations can be booked through online booking or emailing me at bdaltonpsychology@gmail.com
Meet the Herd
From left to right: Gem, Chat, and Beezie.
All three horses are Quarter Horses and have lived together for 18 years.
Brooke knows these horses very well and understands their herd dynamics and knows their individual personalities so she can maintain and support safety in the therapeutic space.