Equine Therapy

At Your Next Chapter Counseling, we hope to provide you with a variety of treatment modalities and options that fit your needs and interests for your therapy experience. We are excited to add Equine Therapy as an option for those who would like a unique and powerful experiential approach to therapy.

Equine therapy is an experiential approach to therapy sessions that take place in the presence of horses. Working with horses in the context of therapy is useful for two main reasons. First, the brain of a horse closely resembles a human brain that has experienced trauma. Horses are prey animals, so they are consistently aware of their surroundings and may shift quickly into “fight or flight” mode when they sense danger (or perceived danger). Those of us who have experienced trauma may have a shared experience, where we deal with consistent worry or hypervigilance, or generally feel “on edge.” Second, horses are incredibly sensitive, not only to our actions but also to our emotional state or “energy.” By paying attention to how horses respond to us, we can learn about how we may be showing up in our human relationships. Horses are really good at showing us who we are and can provide us feedback as to how we might want to change something. Being in relationship with horses isn’t about changing the horses - it is all about bringing up different parts of ourselves. Equine therapy uncovers our greatness and shows us what we need.

Equine sessions are run by a therapist and an equine specialist. We have partnered with Terry Kozak at You Are Herd to offer this unique experience. In a typical equine session, we will ask you, “What do you want to do?” or “What do you want to work on?” You then get to choose the focus of the session and what you would like to do with the horse. For example, you might want to try and get a horse to approach you or walk next to you. Or you may simply want to have a session in the presence of horses to see how you feel and what you notice. Throughout the session, the equine specialist will provide you with observations or suggestions, and your therapist will be there to help support you with whatever emotions arise. 

Equine Therapy

Sessions will be held at Terry Kozak’s farm in Weaverville, NC.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need to know anything about horses to participate in equine therapy?

    No! Being in relationship with horses is about us, not the horses. No prior experience with horses is needed. 

  • Will we be riding horses?

    No. All of the work done in session is ground work.

  • What if I’m scared of the horse?

    That’s okay! Lots of us feel scared or nervous around horses. Doing equine therapy when we are scared creates an opportunity to explore that discomfort with professionals present. You will never be forced to do anything during an equine session. Sometimes just being in their presence (even standing far away from them) can create powerful conversation with your therapist.

  • What if the horse is scared of me?

    Because horses are prey animals, they are familiar with fear. If they are scared or hesitant to work or interact with you, we can learn ways to show up for them in ways that are less threatening and more inviting. Horses give us information about how we are showing up and then we can try different ways of being in order to build that relationship.

  • Will the horse bite me?

    Just like in human relationships, we can set boundaries around what behaviors are unacceptable or that we are “not available” for. The equine specialist can also talk to you in the beginning about basic safety considerations around the horse and how to read a horse’s body language to reduce the risk of things like being bitten.

  • Can children participate in equine therapy?

    Yes. Your child’s therapist can let you know if equine therapy is appropriate for your child. 

  • Can couples or families participate in equine therapy?

    YES! Equine therapy is a fantastic way to explore dynamics between partners and family members. Additionally, if you have children, equine therapy can bring awareness to important parenting dynamics that may be occurring between us and our kids.

  • Will my insurance cover equine therapy? If not, how much does it cost?

    Insurance will cover the cost of an individual, couple, or family session as it would in the office, and there is an additional $100 fee applied to equine sessions that cover the costs for the equine specialist and the facilities. For example, if you have a $0 copay, the total cost for an equine session would be $100. If you have a copay or are paying towards a deductible, the total cost for an equine session is your copay + $100. 

  • How long does a session last?

    Equine sessions are typically between 50 - 60 minutes, just as a regular in-office therapy session. If your therapist recommends more time be allotted for the session, they will inform you ahead of time. 

  • How often would I need to participate in equine therapy?

    The frequency of equine sessions depends on what your therapist recommends as well as what you would prefer. Some may prefer to do equine once a week, and some may prefer to do an equine session once a month or less often. 

  • Do I need to have a history of trauma to participate in equine therapy?

    You do not need to have a history of trauma or a diagnosis of PTSD to participate in equine therapy. Equine therapy can be appropriate for many different presenting issues and concerns. Another important similarity in horses and humans is that they rely on connection for survival. Just as we are built to be in community, horses are meant to be in herds. 

  • What are some reasons that equine might not be appropriate for me?

    Most often, there are ways to make accommodations so that everyone is safe, physically and emotionally, whether that is just staying on the outside of the fence and watching and being with horses. We love getting creative, so if you want horses in your life in some kind of way, let’s talk about it! 

  • Where are equine sessions held?

    Sessions will be held at Terry Kozak’s farm in Weaverville, NC.