Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

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 is an experiential, or hands-on, approach. It moves past, or in conjunction with, traditional talk therapy. It is effective in treating a variety of difficulties from anxiety and mood disorders to interpersonal and relationship conflicts. It is not therapeutic riding and is done completely or mostly from the ground. It involves building relationships with horses and completing various tasks with them in order to achieve your goals. This can be used with children and adults.

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.

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.

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

If traditional talk therapy has not been beneficial for you in the past, it doesn't mean that therapy may not be a helpful option for you. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) provides an alternative approach that can facilitate healing in the presence of horses, tapping into the innate human-animal bond. The presence of horses can create a unique and therapeutic environment where individuals can explore and process emotions, experiences, and challenges.

Porter's House Inc. is excited to be working in collaboration with Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center, located in Bristol, to offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to our clients! 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.

Horses are one of nature's most intuitive & empathetic animals. They can mirror an individual's emotions which makes them a great therapeutic assistance. Equine-Assisted-Psychotherapy (EAP) assists in emotional regulation, increasing cognitive skills, reducing stress & easing symptoms of PTSD, trauma as well as depression. EAP also assists individuals when it comes to destructive behavior, habits and relationship patterns. Come try EAP out with me today!

I am a certified EAP Mental Health Professional with EAGALA

In partnership with Serenity Oaks Equine Sanctuary, I bring client out to meet their new best fur friend. Through different exercises and skills, clients make incredible gains in finding calm and connection after a history of trauma and anxiety. All sessions are on the ground (no riding, sorry!) to support growth and connection. While I only schedule visits at the farm one day per week, clients beg to come for multiple sessions per week.