Services
HAHA provides equine-facilitated psychotherapy services to children (ages 8-12), adolescents (ages 13-17), and adults (ages 18+). Sessions include the client, an equine partner, a licensed mental health professional, a trained equine instructor, and when necessary, a trained volunteer horse handler. During their time with us, clients progress through a series of levels with their equine partner while working toward psychotherapy goals. Most of our program is centered on unmounted groundwork with the horses, rather than riding. Our clients most often are working through one or more of the following issues:
Trauma
Post-traumatic stress
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Anger
We also offer experiential therapy for younger children, starting at age 5. Their experience may or may not include equine-facilitated psychotherapy, but will involve interaction with animals and nature. Work with younger clients can involve therapy with siblings and parents, as well as home or school visits.
All services begin with a 60-minute intake assessment with a licensed mental health specialist. During the intake, we discuss the client’s mental and physical health history and symptoms, including any history of trauma, family dynamics, symptoms, and the reason for seeking services. This intake helps us determine if our services will best benefit the client. In most cases, our clients must be able to express themselves verbally and must be physically mobile.
Goals
We work with clients to develop and maintain the following skills:
functioning in high arousal environments,
improving physical and cognitive transitioning and self-regulation,
facilitating verbal and nonverbal communication,
challenging self-doubt and negative thinking, and
increasing confidence and competence.
Sessions
Sessions are typically 60-minutes long and can be for an individual or a family. We start new clients at the beginning of an 8-week cycle. Every ninth week, the program takes a week-long break. During this break, our horses undergo de-stressing activities to keep them mentally and emotionally sharp. We also review client progress and update the treatment plan. Additionally, you will receive a short behavioral questionnaire and satisfaction survey to help us track how well the program is meeting your needs.
Hours
Monday through Friday, 9AM-6PM
Saturday, 9AM-2PM.
Equus Bellator
At Hope and Healing Academy (HAHA), our mission is to harness the power of horses to transform the human spirit. In the spirit of this mission, we are expanding our services to address the needs and experiences of first responders and members of the armed forces. We are calling this program Equus Bellator, Latin for “Horse Warrior.”
The daily experiences of first responders and members of the armed forces result in high rates of depression, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal ideation. Our program addresses these mental and behavioral health issues by working to improve the clients’ inter- and intra-personal relationships, mindfulness, coping skills, body awareness, and self-regulation. Working with our equine partners promotes immediate cause-and-effect responses requiring the use of mindful coping skills, self-regulation, and awareness of our impact on others.
Typically HAHA clients spend 12 months in our program, but we see Equus Bellator as a program that can adjust to the needs of the responders who participate. Some clients may spend just three months with us; others may choose to continue on with individual, group, or family therapy services.
Contact Us
Think EFP is a good option for you or someone you love? Contact us today. You'll receive an email and a brief pre-screening assessment, which you will return to the Clinical Director. If HAHA seems like a good fit, we will schedule an intake assessment and go from there.