What is equine assisted therapy and what is equine assisted learning?
Equine assisted therapy and equine assisted learning are both forms of equine assisted interventions, but they serve different purposes and utilise different processes.
Specialising in Neurodivergence and somatic trauma therapy, Michaela uses somatic based approaches centred around bodily emotions and sensations and supporting the system to come back to safety and regulation through biological completion.
The horses support this process through their attunement and relational responses in the moment. This support is also provided for the equines to find safety, connection and attunement as part of the process, to ensure the horse is also benefiting from our interactions.
The word "somatic" comes from the Greek word "soma," which means "the body”.
This therapeutic approach acknowledges that our bodies hold memories, emotions, and afflictions that can influence our psychological well-being. Somatic therapy techniques aim to help individuals release physical tension, process unresolved emotions, and develop greater awareness of bodily sensations."
Working in this way means that we don’t have to dive in to the narrative of what happened, but we can work in a way that supports you and your nervous system to process things in a more manageable and safer way, using what we call titration techniques. We can also work through trauma responses related to events that hold no memory, by allowing your system to complete its biological process in a safe and supported way within a relational context with the therapist and horses.
The Heard Therapy is experienced with supporting:
• Managing stress, trauma and PTSD • Complex Trauma • Neurodiversity and trauma • Individuals who feel excluded or marginalised • Connection to self and others • Grief • Eating disorders • Sight loss • Anxiety • OCD • Relationships • Depression • Addiction • Self harm • Childhood trauma • Personal and spiritual development • Developing self awareness
• Managing stress, trauma and PTSD • Complex Trauma • Neurodiversity and trauma • Individuals who feel excluded or marginalised • Connection to self and others • Grief • Eating disorders • Sight loss • Anxiety • OCD • Relationships • Depression • Addiction • Self harm • Childhood trauma • Personal and spiritual development • Developing self awareness
Equine assisted therapy is often a preliminary intervention which can be beneficial before progressing to equine-assisted learning.
By addressing underlying emotional issues, trauma, or maladaptive coping strategies, equine assisted therapy helps clients establish a strong foundation for personal growth and self-awareness.
The therapy fosters a genuine feeling of safety and connection through acquired self-awareness of the body and nervous system responses and what they might mean to you. Through this process you will learn how to respond to the needs of your body and nervous system in a way that is supportive to your process and healing. During the therapy there are opportunities to explore, reflect and process whilst being supported within a non-judgemental therapeutic relationship. This supportive environment empowers clients to confidently engage in life skills programmes, setting them up for success.
Equine assisted learning offers opportunities for individuals to learn valuable transferable skills whilst learning more about themselves and how to manage the challenges they can face; Equine assisted learning can develop resilience and self-esteem and is a very valuable intervention.