Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs
Equine-assisted therapy involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, communication skills, and trust-building in addiction recovery. Horses provide non-judgmental feedback and opportunities for healing.
Found 300 treatment centers offering equine therapy across the United States.
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Showing 6 of 300 equine therapy treatment centers
Dare U to Care Outreach Ministry, situated in Los Angeles, CA, provides a range of treatment options for individuals facing substance use challenges, alongside transitional housing services. This facility focuses on long-term residential care, offering 24-hour support tailored for adult men and women, as well as young adults who have encountered intimate partner violence or domestic violence. The center’s approach includes specialized programs that emphasize 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief interventions designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. With a strong commitment to delivering quality care, Dare U to Care Outreach Ministry aims to support clients in their journey towards lasting recovery and in the process of rebuilding their lives.
Situated in Pasadena, California, Dedicato Treatment Center provides a range of substance use treatment options aimed at both adults and young adults. The facility offers a variety of programs, including intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient services, and outpatient day treatment. With an emphasis on evidence-based practices such as 12-step facilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and anger management, the center customizes its programs to address the unique circumstances of each client. Dedicato Treatment Center is particularly focused on serving adult men and women, as well as individuals who have faced traumatic experiences, and it provides gender-specific care to enhance the treatment experience. These varied approaches contribute to a supportive environment for individuals seeking tailored addiction recovery options in the Pasadena community.
Deaf Community Services of San Diego, situated in San Diego, CA, provides dedicated substance use treatment for both adults and young adults. The facility emphasizes intensive outpatient programs, as well as both outpatient and regular outpatient services, employing evidence-based practices such as 12-step facilitation, brief intervention, and cognitive behavioral therapy. It offers customized programs designed for adult men, adult women, and individuals who have faced trauma, ensuring that the care is sensitive to the unique needs of each client. The center fosters a welcoming environment for both male and female participants, committed to providing supportive, inclusive treatment that focuses on personalized care to aid individuals in their recovery process.
Crossroad Transitional Inc, located in Northridge, CA, provides a range of rehabilitation services designed for adults and young adults who are experiencing substance use issues alongside co-occurring mental health disorders. The facility has specialized programs catering to active duty military personnel as well as adult men and women. Among the services offered are hospital inpatient detoxification and various treatment methodologies, including 12-step facilitation, anger management techniques, and brief interventions. With a commitment to personalized care for both genders, Crossroad Transitional Inc aims to create a welcoming environment for all clients. The center prioritizes quality and individualized treatment, making it a resource for individuals in search of compassionate support during their recovery journey.
Curry Senior Center, situated in San Francisco, CA, offers outpatient treatment for substance use and specialized services for adults facing serious mental health challenges in tandem with their substance use issues. This center employs methods such as brief intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing in its regular outpatient programs. Furthermore, it features specialized support for those who have encountered intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and trauma. Catering to adult clients of any gender, Curry Senior Center emphasizes a personalized approach to treatment that fosters holistic healing and recovery. The facility is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for individuals in need of support and rehabilitation.
Crossroads Foundation, located in San Diego, California, provides long-term residential treatment designed for adults dealing with substance use disorders alongside serious mental health concerns, as well as for children experiencing significant emotional disturbances. The facility ensures around-the-clock care and employs therapeutic techniques, including 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief intervention strategies. Although the program primarily focuses on adult women, it also accommodates seniors and young adult females. Crossroads Foundation is recognized for its individualized care plans and the extensive support it offers to individuals facing multifaceted challenges, fostering a supportive atmosphere conducive to lasting recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Equine Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy (also called equine-assisted psychotherapy or equine-facilitated therapy) involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing in addiction recovery. Facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists working together, this experiential approach provides unique opportunities for insight, trust-building, and personal transformation.
Why Horses?
Horses are large, powerful prey animals with highly developed social awareness and sensitivity to emotional states. They respond authentically to human emotions and energy, providing immediate, honest feedback without judgment or hidden agendas. Horses mirror human emotional states, react to incongruence between words and feelings, and respond to genuine, calm presence. This makes them powerful partners in therapeutic work.
Therapeutic Activities
Equine therapy sessions might include:
- Grooming and Care: Calming, meditative activities building relationship and responsibility
- Leading Exercises: Navigating obstacles together, practicing boundaries and clear communication
- Liberty Work: Allowing horse to choose whether to connect, exploring themes of trust and relationship
- Ground Exercises: Activities addressing specific therapeutic goals like teamwork, patience, or emotional awareness
- Observation and Reflection: Discussing experiences and insights applicable to recovery
What Equine Therapy Addresses
Working with horses helps develop trust (essential for recovery relationships), set healthy boundaries, communicate authentically, regulate emotions, build confidence and self-efficacy, practice responsibility and consistency, develop patience and present-moment awareness, and process trauma in experiential rather than purely verbal ways. Metaphors from horse interactions apply directly to recovery challenges and relationships.
No Horse Experience Needed
Equine therapy typically occurs on the ground without riding. No previous horse experience is required or expected. Professional equine specialists ensure safety, teach necessary skills, and work alongside therapists. Initial nervousness around horses often becomes therapeutic itself - learning to manage fear, ask for support, and build confidence through gradual exposure and successful interactions.
Integration in Treatment Programs
Equine therapy works best integrated into comprehensive treatment programs alongside traditional therapies like CBT, individual counseling, group therapy, and other evidence-based approaches. The experiential, outdoor, nature-based format provides balance to office-based talk therapy. Many find equine therapy uniquely powerful for accessing emotions and insights difficult to reach through conversation alone.
Equine therapy resources: