Palatine Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Palatine, IL

There are so many great therapy options for improving mental and emotional health, and one of those is equine-assisted psychotherapy Palatine, IL offers at Lotus Wellness Center. For many people, working with and being around animals and horses provides many health benefits. Trying something new can be uncomfortable but working with an experienced therapist and trainer will help you to feel more at ease while it is still a new concept to you. Give us a call today to ask any questions you have and schedule an appointment!

What to Expect at Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

When you begin Palatine equine-assisted psychotherapy it may feel unusual and different if you have never taken care of a horse before, like many people who have never spent time with horses. Any time you start something new it may feel uncomfortable at the beginning but keeping an open mind and taking the time to connect with the horse and care for it can have many emotional and mental health benefits. Here are some of the things you can expect to do with your trainer at equine-assisted therapy:

• Care for the horse
  Caring for an animal, especially a large animal like a horse, can be a lot of work and include feeding, watering, brushing, washing, cleaning out the stall, checking for injuries and cuts, and more. Work like this is incredibly rewarding for most people, to see the horse healthy and well because of the work that you did to care for it. This is also the first step in getting to know the horse and earning its trust and you will discuss animal behaviors with your trainer and how to apply healthy emotional habits to your life.
• Leading the horse
  Before riding a horse it is important for you and the horse to get to know each other and be comfortable around each other, so you may begin with leading the horse by its harness before getting on it. This will allow the horse to recognize you as a trusted caretaker who is capable and worthy of leading and guiding the horse.
• Basic horse riding
  Part of learning to ride a horse includes getting the horse ready to ride with the saddle and other gear properly put on the horse. There are multiple steps to saddling a horse that you will learn to do yourself so that you and the horse can ride comfortably and more safely.
• Riding skills
  As you begin horse riding regularly, you can work on your riding skills with your trainer and learn new skills, such as tight turns, jumping, and galloping. These are tough skills to learn and must be worked on, which can be a beneficial part of equine-assisted therapy because it gives you a goal to work toward and a sense of pride when it is accomplished.

Call us Today

If you have any questions about Palatine equine-assisted psychotherapy, do not hesitate to reach out to us at Lotus Wellness Center to schedule an appointment where you can ask any questions you have and voice potential concerns. We are looking forward to hearing from you and working with you to find therapies that will be a good fit to help you on your mental and emotional health journey. Call us today!

Benefits Of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

If you express interest in equine assisted psychotherapy Palatine, IL have benefited from as part of your treatment plan, you can expect many great things from it. Patients who have tried out the treatment found that they have significantly improved their cognitive skills, communication, management of emotions, and ability to build genuine connection with others. Equine assisted therapy allows patients to increase their appreciation for life, helping them find clarity and success in their journey to improve their mental health.

How Equine Assisted Therapy Works

Whether or not you know how to interact with horses or have even seen one up close before, equine assisted therapy may be beneficial for you. In equine assisted therapy, patients learn to build skills by handling horses or even riding them, if they are comfortable doing so. Horses are intelligent and make great companions with humans. Patients learn how to approach horses, care for them, lead them, and ride them once they build the foundational skills. Patients who have successfully been through equine assisted therapy have improved their ability to communicate, improve their emotional intelligence, and boost their confidence. By learning how to build a bond with the animal, patients can learn how to build a wide range of skills to improve and maintain their emotional health.

Questions To Ask a Therapist 

Patients who are just starting equine assisted therapy and would like to learn more about how it works should ask their therapist mayn questions. It is not a conventional form of therapy so it may take a while to get used to. Bonding with an animal is not always easy, so the process may be slow and gradual. If you are nervous around horses or animals in general you may also have a more difficult time than people who are used to being near horses. Ask the therapist about the best ways to train a horse, how to care for them properly, and how to ride one safely.

Other common questions that you may have for a therapist trained in Palatine equine assisted psychotherapy include:

• How do I feed my horse?
• How do I keep a horse clean?
• How long does it take to train a horse?
• What skills do I need to ride a horse?

Is Equine Assisted Therapy Right For Me?

Numerous patients have found that they have benefited from equine assisted therapy in many ways. If you find that traditional therapy methods are not working for you, equine assisted therapy may be a more fitting option that will help you achieve your goals.

If you are interested in learning more about therapy that is centered around interacting with and taking care of horses, give our clinic a call to schedule an appointment with a trusted and experienced therapist who has worked with many patients. You can find out if it is a good treatment that you can benefit from. Equine assisted therapy has been beneficial for many people who have little to no experience handling horses. Find out more by scheduling a consultation with a therapist trained in Palatine equine assisted psychotherapy now.