Equine Assisted Services
Equine-Assisted Services
At Cross Keys Equine Therapy, our equine-assisted services are divided into Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP™) and Trauma-Informed Equine-Assisted Learning (TI-EAL). While both programs incorporate horses into the healing process, each serves a different purpose and is designed to meet unique goals.
Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP™)
Our Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP™) sessions are conducted by a licensed or license-eligible mental health professional alongside an equine professional and one or more horses.
We provide psychotherapy in partnership with horses using the Natural Lifemanship® process, integrated with other natural horsemanship approaches, including the Carolyn Resnick Method. Through experiential learning and meaningful relationships with horses, clients have the opportunity to explore patterns of connection, build healthier relationships, and develop practical skills that extend into everyday life.
Unlike traditional office-based therapy, equine-assisted psychotherapy offers the opportunity to learn by doing. Horses naturally provide honest, immediate feedback, creating opportunities for self-awareness, emotional growth, and lasting change.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy can be beneficial for people of all ages and may help with:
- Nervous system regulation
- Emotional awareness and expression
- Trust and attachment
- Developing healthy boundaries
- Learning self-regulation skills
- Grounding through sensory awareness
- Connecting with the present moment
- Building confidence and resilience
- Creating healthy, connected relationships
- Safely building a partnership with your horse using principles that can be applied to healthy human relationships
Interventions may include:
- Relationship work on the ground, including building bond, trust, willingness, respect, and focus
- Leading horses on or off lead
- Observing horse and herd behavior
- Boundary-setting activities
- Self-regulation exercises on the ground and, when appropriate, on horseback
- Grooming and connection exercises that explore attachment, relationships, and the impact of past experiences
- Psychoeducation for clients and caregivers
- EMDR when clinically appropriate
Areas of Focus
Our work often emphasizes:
- Nonverbal communication
- Nervous system regulation
- Trust and attachment
- Emotional awareness
- Grounding through sensory interaction
Individual, Family & Group Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
We offer individual, family, and group psychotherapy sessions using the TF-EAP™ model described above.
Sessions are tailored to each client’s unique goals and may address a wide variety of emotional, relational, behavioral, and trauma-related concerns. Depending on individual needs, sessions are typically scheduled weekly, biweekly, or monthly and generally last between 50 and 90 minutes.
If you are interested in receiving services, or a professional referring a client for services, please fill out this form and a staff member from CKET will contact you as soon as possible!
Trauma-Informed Equine-Assisted Learning (TI-EAL) – Team building, Leadership and Communication Workshops for Groups, Families and Social Organizations
Trauma-Informed Equine-Assisted Learning (TI-EAL) incorporates many of the same experiential activities used in psychotherapy but focuses on personal growth, communication, leadership, education, and team development rather than mental health treatment.
These sessions are ideal for organizations, schools, businesses, families, and community groups looking to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and develop healthier group dynamics in an engaging, hands-on environment. If your organization is struggling with communication, needs a fun way to build positive group dynamics, or a way to develop a stronger, more cohesive team, we can help!
Programs may include half-day or full-day workshops that are customized to meet your group’s specific goals.
TI-EAL may focus on:
- Leadership development
- Team building
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Relationship building
- Self-awareness
- Trust and collaboration
- Healthy boundaries
Interested in Services?
Whether you’re seeking services for yourself, a family member, or referring a client, we’d love to hear from you.
Please complete our referral and inquiry forms, and a member of our team will contact you as soon as possible.
Contact Us
Phone: (540) 607-6910