Equine Assisted Therapy in North Longmont, Colorado
In-person equine-assisted therapy at Waterhorse Counseling offers a grounded, experiential way to heal trauma, grief, anxiety, and disconnection.
Equine Assisted Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that integrates licensed mental health counseling with structured interactions alongside horses.
What Is Equine Assisted Therapy?
Horses are highly attuned animals. They respond honestly to human nervous systems, body language, and emotional states. Because of this, they often help clients increase nervous system regulation, build emotional awareness, develop boundaries and communication skills, process trauma in a non-verbal way, and rebuild trust and connection.
For clients who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy, equine-assisted work can provide a different entry point into healing.
Who is Equine Assisted Therapy for?
Sudden loss can change how you experience the world.
You may notice:
Panic attacks that were not there befor
Sleep disruption
Feeling “on edge”
Emotional numbness
Shock that does not seem to fade
Equine-assisted therapy can gently support processing the shock and trauma that accompanies sudden death, whether the loss was a loved one or a beloved animal.
There is hope after sudden loss. Healing is possible.
Sudden Loss and Grief
If it was not just one difficult experience, but many over time, your nervous system may have learned to stay in survival mode.
You might experience:
Feeling numb or “checked out”
Sleep disturbance
Anxiety or panic
Depression
Dissociation
Equine-assisted therapy can help restore regulation and embodiment. If you are curious about assessment for a dissociative disorder, I can provide diagnostic support as part of treatment.
Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Children and teens often respond powerfully to experiential work.
If your child is navigating:
Anxiety
Irritability
Emotional outbursts
Difficulty concentrating
A major life transition
Equine-assisted therapy provides space for expression, regulation, and reconnection in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Children and Adolescents
My Training and Approach
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) trained in:
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR, Level 3 + AT interweaves)
Experiential Play Therapy
Equine-Assisted Mental Health specialization (Prescott College)
PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Equine-assisted sessions may integrate EMDR or DBR when appropriate. This allows for powerful trauma processing in a supported, relational environment.
My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and evidence-based. The goal is not to “do” something with the horse, but to notice what emerges and gently work with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No experience is required. Sessions are structured and supported.
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No. This is psychotherapy facilitated alongside horses. While I am PATH certified, sessions focus on mental health rather than riding instruction. In some cases, mounted work may be incorporated when it supports the therapeutic goals of the session, though it is not the primary focus.
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Research supports experiential and somatic approaches in trauma treatment. Equine-assisted therapy has shown effectiveness in improving regulation, emotional awareness, and trauma recovery when facilitated by a licensed mental health professional.
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Yes. When clinically appropriate, equine-assisted EMDR and DBR may be integrated into sessions.
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Yes. EMDR can be conducted virtually through secure telehealth sessions. The process is adapted for online work using guided bilateral stimulation techniques so the therapy remains effective even when we meet remotely.
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In-person equine-assisted therapy sessions take place in North Longmont, Colorado. The private pay rate is $250 for the intake session and $180 for each subsequent session.
Some Colorado clients may also be able to use insurance for equine-assisted therapy sessions. Accepted plans may include Oscar, United, Oxford, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. Insurance billing is processed through Headway, and coverage can vary depending on your specific plan, so it is recommended that you contact your insurance provider to confirm your benefits prior to beginning treatment.
For equestrians who would like sessions with their own horse, traveling sessions may be available within two hours of Longmont, Colorado or Wyoming. These begin with a $190 online intake session, followed by $130 per 55-minute session, with an additional $60 per hour for travel time.
If you are curious whether equine-assisted therapy might be a good fit, I invite you to reach out.