Equine-assisted psychotherapy can help children connect with others. A horse and a child can build a very special bond through consistent interaction.
Horses have similar behaviors to humans and will show empathy to your developing child. They will give your child immediate feedback in a way they can understand. A child therapist who uses equine therapy as a tool to help your child grow is giving them an experience that will last their entire life.
A horse can mimic the feelings of your child, allowing them to see their own behaviors. Your child will not only develop a relationship within themselves but with those around them. Most children find it easier to open up to a horse than other people. There is no fear of reprisal, anger, or judgment when interacting with a horse.
Brittany Rice, LCSW is a therapist and a counselor. She is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker. Brittany is on the national list of Child-Parent Psychotherapy Clinicians and is licensed with the state of Florida. She is also Eagala Certified for equine therapy.
How Serene Trails Therapy Utilizes Equine Therapy.
Brittany’s office is located in Wellington, Florida which is known for some of the finest horse stables in the country. There is no better location to offer your child the finest equine therapy possible! She will offer your child professional experiential therapy designed to change their outlook on life.
Brittany Rice, LCSW partners with Vinceremos, an innovative and welcoming facility, to provide services optimized for the well-being of your child. This is a safe, hands-on experience that offers your child real-time feedback. They will be given a list of goals to complete, such as grooming or feeding the horse. Brittany will then discuss their thought process for accomplishing the task given.
There is no horseback riding involved. That’s right, the horse is your child’s team member and there to interact face to face. Equine therapy happens on the ground with your child being shown the horse as a metaphor for their own experiences.
Talking with your child about the task at hand allows them to improve their language skills. This will also improve their ability to listen, ask questions, and follow directions. The goal of equine therapy is to allow your child’s therapist to help them work on various issues and develop life skills. Some of these may include:
- Responsibility
- Regulating emotions
- Developing self-confidence
- Empathy
- Social Interactions with peers
- Trust in others
- Impulse control
- Developing/maintaining relationships
- Trust in self
- Problem-solving
- Emotional awareness
What Are The Benefits of Using Horses and Equine Therapy?
Horses are highly sensitive creatures and have the innate ability to foster trust with children. A horse won’t judge them or misinterpret the things they say and your child will sense that. They will mimic the feelings and emotions your child displays in front of them. This allows your child to work through whatever is causing them to struggle in life by being able to see it and identify it on another level.
Equine therapy provides your child with an environment that might feel more inviting than a traditional therapy session. Children can find it hard to understand painful experiences and the emotions associated with them. For many children, equine therapy offers a new way to open up and grow.
Using a horse allows the therapist to give your child a way to externalize painful experiences or negative emotions. They will associate their experience with what the horse is experiencing at that moment. This is a powerful tool that makes these experiences easier to not only approach but to process.
Equine therapy is sometimes used to support children who are experiencing:
- ADHD
- Selective Mutism
- Phobias
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Adjustment Disorders
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
Serene Trails Therapy Can Help!
If you feel your child could benefit from equine therapy, give Brittany a call. She'll talk with you about whether equine-assisted psychotherapy is a good fit, and she focuses her treatment on children of all ages. Brittany will first and foremost listen - listen to your concerns regarding your child and their mental health. She will then provide a customized treatment plan best suited for your child and for the well-being of your family.
Call Serene Trails Therapy of Wellington, Florida, for a free phone consultation - (561) 335-6658.
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Have questions? Contact Serene Trails Therapy for a free phone consultation.