Equine Therapy
If you’ve ever connected with a horse by looking into its eyes, you’re not alone. Many people feel horses can understand and share their emotions. Because of their gentle nature and emotional sensitivity, horses make great therapy animals. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is a proven and valuable treatment for those dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse. Equine therapy fosters trust and understanding through gentle interactions with horses. EAT therapists harness the emotional impact horses can have to assist individuals in need.
The team at Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights in Washington State can help you find sobriety through equine therapy as well as our other safe and effective treatment options. Call today!
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy is a unique way of doing therapy that involves using horses in activities to promote engagement, self-reflection, and mindfulness for personal growth.
Compared to traditional talk therapy in an office, equine therapy might seem completely different, as it involves activities like walking around a ranch or being in a horse stall. However, individuals dealing with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders often respond positively to this unconventional approach. Being outdoors with a horse can help people open up in ways that may be challenging in regular therapy settings. These activities in nature encourage individuals to approach their thoughts from a creative and experiential perspective while interacting with horses.
As part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan, individuals can engage in horse therapy alongside other evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This combined approach helps individuals reshape their mindset and build a strong sense of identity during addiction treatment.
How Does Equine Therapy Work?
Equine therapy involves using horses in the therapeutic process because horses are big yet gentle animals with a keen sense of emotions. Interacting with them brings relaxation, acceptance, and self-discovery.
The effectiveness lies in the perception that horses are non-judgmental but intelligent beings. This encourages people to open up, facilitated by the presence of a therapist. Caring for such large animals requires bravery and vulnerability, adding to the therapeutic benefits.
During sessions, as individuals lead and direct the horses, they observe how their actions and emotions affect the animals. Loud and aggressive tones may scare horses, while kind and confident instructions encourage cooperation. This allows individuals to learn emotion regulation by seeing themselves through the eyes of the horses.
What Can Equine Therapy Treat?
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Eating disorders
- Attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Schizophrenia
Equine therapy is a valuable tool for promoting mental health and well-being. It can address a wide range of issues that individuals may face throughout their lives. The therapeutic process is tailored to the unique needs and goals of each person who comes to us for help. Royal Life Centers is here for you.
Benefits of Equine Therapy
What to Expect During Equine Therapy Sessions
Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is part of our holistic services, focusing on healing the mind, body, and spirit. In each session, you’ll work with horse specialists and trained horses.
Activities include hands-on tasks like grooming and leading horses. These engage your senses and allow you to observe how your actions affect the animals. Horses, known for reading human emotions, mirror feelings like fear and self-confidence, offering valuable feedback.
Throughout the session, your therapist will ask questions about your experience, insights, and the emotions or behaviors the activities addressed. Reflecting on these experiences helps you become more mindful of your temperament and its impact on others. This increased self-awareness helps you regulate emotions, connect with the horse, and build trust and a deep spiritual connection.
Equine-Assisted Therapy at Royal Life Centers
At Royal Life Centers, we proudly provide complementary services such as horse-assisted therapy to help you heal from addiction. By combining this treatment with traditional therapies and medication management, we seek to help you achieve holistic growth. To support your recovery and overall well-being, equine-assisted activities build self-awareness, stress management, emotion regulation, and improved confidence.
When you enter our facilities, our clinical team will work with you to create an individual treatment plan. During this process, you can include equine therapy during the aftercare portion of treatment. By participating in therapy with horses, you can learn more about yourself and your relationship with others. During treatment, our team of experienced equine therapists will provide guidance and support to assist in your healing process.
At Royal Life Centers, you can experience the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy surrounded by Washington’s stunning mountainous landscapes. There is no better place than the beautiful Pacific Northwest to undergo therapy outdoors.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us about our treatment options, whether for yourself or a loved one. After calling or filling out a secure contact form, our admissions team will work with you to access individualized treatment for addiction.
Our Levels of Care
We offer treatment programs involving horses at the following levels of care:
If you are struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, equine therapy may be able to help. If you think equine-assisted therapy might be right for you, please reach out to us today and learn more about treatment!
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out for help today.
Equine Therapy in Washington
As a part of the Royal Life Centers addiction treatment network, Spokane Heights is one of our equine-assisted therapy treatment centers in Washington state. We also have facilities for detoxification and inpatient treatment, as well as for outpatient and aftercare programming. A tailored treatment plan will help you find the best path to recovery.
Our recovery centers in Washington include:
- Royal Life Centers at Spokane Heights is our detox and inpatient treatment center in Spokane, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Cascade Heights is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Mead, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at The Haven is our detoxification and inpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Sound Recovery is our aftercare and outpatient treatment center in Lacey, Washington.
- Royal Life Centers at Puget Sound is our detox and residential inpatient treatment center in Sumner, Washington.
Are you looking for help with addiction? Let us support you on the path to lasting recovery
Addiction and Mental Health Recovery
At Royal Life Centers, we believe that no one should remain trapped in the isolating cycle of addiction and mental illness. We see our guests as individuals, not defined by their struggles, but as people with unique stories and potential for recovery.
Our comprehensive approach to healing focuses on your overall well-being. Our team of licensed therapists and clinicians will collaborate with you to develop a personalized service plan that addresses both your addiction and psychological disorders, targeting the root causes for lasting healing.
When you begin treatment with Royal Life Centers, our dedicated therapists will meet with you to create a tailored treatment plan, incorporating evidence-based and complementary therapies proven to be effective in treating substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring disorders.
Remember, it is never too late to seek help or ask questions on behalf of yourself or a loved one. Reach out to us about addiction treatment using horses by filling out a secure contact form or calling us at 888-907-0898.
Looking for Equine Therapy?
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse and/or a co-occurring mental health disorder, please reach out to us to find out more about how equine therapy can help. We work with most private insurance policies and we have affordable self-pay rates if you do not have insurance. Give us a call and we will figure out the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
Because We Care.
Would you like more information?
If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder, we hope you’ll begin your journey with us at Royal Life Centers.
