At Lenape Wellness Center, we recognize the profound healing power of animals—especially horses—in mental health recovery. Our residential Equine Therapy Program offers a safe, supportive environment where evidence-based therapy meets compassionate animal interactions, helping individuals overcome emotional hurdles. Call us today to Learn About our Equine Therapy Program.
What Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Involves
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) combines structured therapeutic interventions with interactions between clients and horses. Rooted in professional guidelines from leading organizations like PATH International and EAGALA, this innovative therapy leverages horses’ unique abilities to help individuals process emotions, reduce anxiety, and improve psychological resilience.
At Lenape, our program emphasizes ground-based activities such as grooming, leading, and interactive exercises rather than mounted riding. Extensive research highlights EAP’s effectiveness, particularly for individuals dealing with trauma-related disorders, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
Our Equine Therapy Partnership
To ensure a high-quality therapeutic experience, we’ve carefully selected a PATH-certified equine therapy farm located just 15 minutes from our residential facility in Ford City, Pennsylvania. This partnership allows us to deliver highly personalized care with a maximum staff-to-client ratio of 1:3, ensuring individualized attention and enhanced safety.
Participants undergo comprehensive orientation sessions, receive appropriate protective gear, and benefit from consistent, professional supervision.
A Typical Equine Therapy Day
- Transport: Our residents are comfortably transported from our facility to our partner farm.
- Barn briefing: Each session starts with a structured briefing to outline therapeutic goals, clarify expectations, and review safety guidelines.
- Therapeutic exercises: Residents participate in structured interactions such as grooming and groundwork exercises, designed to build confidence and emotional awareness.
- Debrief session: Sessions conclude with a therapist-led discussion circle to help residents integrate their experiences into their broader therapeutic journey.
Why Horses Help Heal
- Instant feedback on emotions: Horses intuitively mirror human emotions, providing immediate and authentic non-verbal responses that deepen emotional awareness.
- Non-judgmental presence: Horses offer a calm, accepting presence that allows residents to explore their emotions safely without fear of criticism or judgment.
- Builds trust and self-awareness: Regular interactions with horses foster essential skills like trust-building, emotional honesty, and enhanced self-reflection, contributing profoundly to personal growth.
- Regulates nervous system: Scientific studies have shown that engaging with horses can lower stress-related hormones, reducing anxiety and promoting physiological calmness.
Who Benefits Most From Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy is particularly impactful for individuals who struggle with complex PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, attachment and relational issues, as well as veterans dealing with combat-related trauma.
Our program is designed to offer substantial emotional benefits for those who find limited success through conventional talk therapies alone. However, due to the nature of the activities, individuals with severe allergies to animals or significant mobility limitations may require alternative therapeutic approaches, and our admissions team thoughtfully evaluates each individual’s suitability.
Integrating Equine Sessions With Daily Residential Care
Our Equine Therapy Program is fully integrated into daily residential care:
- Daily integration: Insights from equine sessions directly support our Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions.
- Structured reflections: Each evening, residents complete worksheets reflecting on their equine experiences.
- Therapist follow-up: Therapists individually discuss these insights during the following day’s therapy sessions, reinforcing learning and growth.
This structured approach helps residents apply emotional skills from equine therapy to real-life situations, promoting lasting recovery.
Cost and Insurance Considerations
We ensure financial transparency so you can focus solely on your healing:
- No hidden fees: Equine therapy is fully included in our residential treatment costs, with no additional charges.
- Insurance acceptance: Most major PPO insurance providers cover our residential programs, including equine therapy.
- Complimentary benefits check: Our financial coordinators verify your insurance details, clearly explaining coverage specifics.
Call us or email admissions@lenapewellness.com for your free insurance verification.
Additional Therapies and Activities
At Lenape Wellness Center, equine therapy complements a broad range of holistic and experiential activities:
- Yoga and mindfulness: Daily sessions encourage emotional balance and stress reduction.
- Group therapy: Structured groups promote interpersonal skills, empathy, and social support.
- Meditation practices: Guided meditation fosters self-awareness and emotional clarity.
These integrated therapies enhance your equine therapy experience, providing comprehensive support for lasting emotional wellness.
The Science Behind Equine Therapy
Equine therapy is grounded in scientific research, demonstrating measurable mental health benefits:
- Reduced anxiety levels: Interaction with horses significantly lowers cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
- Improved emotional regulation: Regular sessions help stabilize mood and enhance coping skills.
- Increased self-esteem: Therapeutic activities foster confidence and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Our evidence-based approach ensures every session contributes meaningfully to your emotional recovery.
Map and Directions to Our Campus
Lenape Wellness Center is located at 950 Golf Course Rd, Ford City, PA 16226. For easy navigation, use GPS or follow clear signage leading directly to our scenic golf-course property.
Ready to Connect and Heal?
Your healing journey begins here. Call us 24/7 or email admissions@lenapewellness.com. Our caring team is eager to support your recovery every step of the way.