Equine Assisted Services

Equine Assisted Services incorporates horses into the therapeutic process of counseling. The goals are identical to individual mental health counseling, with an added component of the use of horses.

 

 Benefits of using horses in the counseling process:

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- Horses are prey animals making them keen observers. They are vigilant and sensitive to movement and emotion. Horses often mirror our behavior or emotions, conveying understanding and connection that allows for safety.

 

- It allows for a sense of self-awareness, using the horse's behavior and interactions for feedback and opportunities to check in and process what is happening in the moment.

 

- A horses’ presence and rhythmic movement can create emotional extrinsic regulation to calm our nervous systems. The nervous system maintains homeostasis, accesses restorative sleep, decreases inflammation and is involved with memory, auditory processing, learning, controlling sensory processing and more. Leaning how to calm our own nervous system is essential for optimal health. 

 

- A strong connection and unconditional acceptance is offered by horses.

 

Melanie offers Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in conjunction with the horses as well.

 

Sessions are held at a farm in Galena, Ohio

 

 

If you are interested in Equine Assisted Services, please contact

Melanie Toth at melanie@22wmaincounseling.com