Our equine-assisted therapy program is based on an understanding that cognitive therapy and behavior modification alone cannot heal what has been short-circuited in our autonomic nervous system. Somatic experiences - experiences that help us learn to embody our healing - are essential if we are to truly free ourselves from the past. Thus, our approach is informed by the work of trauma healing experts including Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score), Dr. Peter Levine (Waking the Tiger), Dr. Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory), and Deb Dana (Anchored: How to Befriend your Nervous System  Using Polyvagal Theory),

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Horses are healers because they offer the somatic experiences that help us experience our state of being wholistically so we can begin to see what we did not notice before. The sessions with the horses help you notice your nervous system states without judgement and with an open heart. You will learn how to reshape the protective patterns of your nervous system by befriending your nervous system, compassionately connecting with difficult thoughts and feelings, and guiding your nervous system back to regulation. And, you can experience what it is like to feel grounded in a sense of safety and well-being.

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Heart Connections Horsemanship partners with licensed mental health professionals. (Testimonial below.) If you are seeking equine-assisted therapy, or if you are a counselor or therapist interested in integrating equine-assisted therapy into your practice, contact me to find out more about how HCH can support you and your clients.  

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