Healing Beyond Words with

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

near Horace, ND

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It feels like you are barely surviving day to day, but you feel anxious, pressured, or frustrated at the thought of having to talk about it.

Many of my clients feel disconnected from themselves and others, unsure how to trust others, and highly anxious. They describe feeling constantly on edge, overthinking every interaction, and wondering why life feels so relentlessly difficult. The pressure of daily demands feels downright unrealistic and impossible to manage.

You have tried so many different things and maybe have even been in therapy for what feels like forever, yet progress feels slow or minimal. You have learned how to suppress or avoid your emotions because they are too overwhelming to deal with and it doesn’t feel safe to open up old wounds. You may feel like you don’t even know who you really are.

Through EAP, we can help you feel safer and start recognizing your authentic self.

Find relief from:

Depression

Anxiety

Grief

Burnout

Overthinking

Negative body image

Low Self Esteem

Self critism

Mood swings

Irritability

Anger

Stress

Societal Pressure

Self Pressure

Peer Conflict

Family Conflict

A different way to experience healing

Equine-assisted psychotherapy offers something many traditional approaches don’t—real-time, experiential feedback that helps you move beyond insight and into actual change.

Horses rely on their ability to notice subtle shifts in energy and body language in order to feel safe in their environment. They use this same awareness with people. That means they are highly attuned to human emotion—and they respond honestly and immediately, without judgment, expectation, or words.

Because of this, a horse can act as a bridge—helping connect what’s happening internally with how it shows up externally. In other words, it helps you begin to process experiences in real time without the pressure of talking through it.

Instead of only talking about your experiences, you’ll begin to notice, feel, and shift them in the moment.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) focuses on your internal experience—how you feel, respond, and relate to yourself and others.

What to Expect

This work takes place through interaction, observation, and relationship with the horse—all on the ground, not through riding. Horses are not used as tools or interventions, but as active participants in the process.

Sessions are held outdoors in a setting that is both structured and flexible. Depending on your needs and goals, this might include being in the pasture, working in an arena, or even observing from outside the fence.

Some sessions involve direct interaction—such as grooming, leading, or liberty work—while others may focus more on observation or engaging with the surrounding environment.

For many clients, especially those with trauma histories, traditional office settings can feel restrictive or overwhelming. The environment we work in becomes an important part of the healing process.

Being outdoors offers space to move, breathe, and connect more naturally with your body and surroundings.

The presence of the horse, combined with the openness of the environment, can support a sense of grounding, awareness, and safety in a way that goes beyond words.

Over time, this often helps create a felt sense of safety in the body—not just an understanding of safety in the mind.

When your nervous system feels safer, defenses begin to soften. And when that happens, insight, emotional processing, and meaningful healing become more accessible.

Through guided interactions with horses, you can begin to:

Recognize patterns as they’re happening and understand how they show up in your life

Build awareness of your emotions, reactions, and internal responses
Practice new ways of relating—to yourself and others—in a safe, grounded environment
Develop trust, boundaries, and confidence in a natural, grounded way

Heal from trauma in a way that doesn’t rely only on talking
Feel more relaxed, present, and in control

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Steady ground, steady breath, steady strides forward.

FAQ

Q: How is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy different from talk therapy?

Talk therapy primarily uses conversation to explore thoughts, emotions, and patterns in a traditional office setting.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy adds an experiential component by working with horses in real time and in an outdoor environment. Instead of only talking about what you’re experiencing, you also notice it as it shows up in your body, emotions, and interactions in the moment.

Because horses respond to subtle emotional and physiological cues, they provide immediate, nonverbal feedback that can help make internal patterns easier to recognize and shift.

For many clients, this creates a more embodied and experiential path to change alongside traditional talk therapy.

Q: How is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy different from other equine-assisted services?

When people hear "therapy with horses," they often confuse Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) with other valuable services.

Examples of EAP Focus Areas:

If your goal is trauma therapy or emotional healing, EAP may be the right fit.

Sessions may focus on:

Trauma responses and behavioral adaptations

Attachment and relationship patterns

Emotional awareness

Regulation and developing a sense of safety

Q: Do I need experience with horses? What if I am afraid of horses?

No prior horse experience is required.

All sessions are clinically guided and based on ground work, meaning no riding is involved. Interactions are always adapted to your comfort level, starting from where you feel safe. You can choose to interact with the horses up close or simply observe from a distance. The focus is always on your internal experience, not on horsemanship skills.

In fact, being new to horses—or even feeling nervous or uncertain around them—can be valuable to the work. This new experience naturally highlights your raw reactions, emotional patterns, and how they unfold in the moment.

Even individuals with a fear of horses can benefit. Direct interaction with the horse is not necessary; simply observing the horses and being present in the environment can be equally beneficial. We always proceed at a pace that feels safe and manageable for your nervous system. You will never be pressured into an interaction you aren't ready for, as the work is always grounded in choice, consent, and support.

Q: How is this different if I already have a strong background with horses?

If you already have experience with horses, our approach to this work can be different, allowing for faster access to therapeutic work. Rather than focusing on learning to trust the animal, the immediate emphasis shifts to how the horse mirrors the client's internal world.

Many experienced riders find this method surprisingly distinct—and often more deeply personal—than previous equine interactions.

Q: Where do equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions take place?

Sessions are conducted on a private, rural homestead near Horace, ND.

Q: What ages do you serve for Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is available for children, adolescents, and adults ages 8 and older.

If you are seeking services for a younger child, I may be able to provide referrals to other providers or programs that better fit your child's developmental needs.

Q: How do I know if this will be beneficial for me?

It can be hard to know in advance whether a specific approach will be the right fit—and that’s completely normal. We will do an initial assessment without horses first to assess and determine if this type of work is appropriate for you. EAP can be helpful for many types of challenges.

EAP can be particularly helpful for:

Feeling anxious, stressed, or sad

Healing from trauma or scary experiences

Managing behavior or strong emotions

Family or relationship struggles

Feeling unsure of yourself or lacking confidence

If EAP does not feel like the right fit, we can adapt sessions to using a different modality.

Q: Will Insurance Cover Equine Assisted Psyhotherapy?

Insurance coverage is dependent on several factors, including your specific plan benefits, confirmation of medical necessity, and whether At Liberty Behavioral Health is an in-network provider.

In-Network: We are in-network with most BCBS plans and Medicare.

Out-of-Network: If your insurance offers out-of-network coverage, reimbursement may be possible.

Medical Necessity: This is determined during the initial intake session.

Excluded Programs: Please note that we cannot bill most government medical assistance programs, such as Medicaid and TriCare.

EAP sessions require specialized resources, including facility access, comprehensive horse care, safety personnel, and session preparation. Therefore, an additional Equine Facility Fee is charged per session. This fee is separate from standard therapy fees and is not billable to insurance.

Q: What happens if the weather is bad?

Sessions will generally proceed during outdoor weather conditions such as rain, wind, or other minor discomforts with accommodations if needed.

Sessions may be postponed or canceled only under unsafe conditions, including but not limited to thunderstorms, lightning, icy or hazardous footing, or other situations deemed unsafe by the provider.

Q: Do the horses like to do this work?

In Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), horses are valued as active, equal partners, not mere therapeutic tools. Their willingness, or "consent," to participate is essential.

This partnership is mutually beneficial, offering horses several advantages, including:

Mental stimulation & enrichment

Positive social interaction

Routine & structure

Emotional enrichment

The well-being of the horses is a top priority, with careful monitoring for any signs of stress before, during, and after all sessions.

Q: What Should I Wear?

Closed-toe shoes (boots are best) and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty are required.

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