Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs
Equine-assisted therapy involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, communication skills, and trust-building in addiction recovery. Horses provide non-judgmental feedback and opportunities for healing.
Found 300 treatment centers offering equine therapy across the United States.
Need Help Finding the Right Treatment Center?
Speak with a compassionate specialist now - 100% free & confidential
Showing 6 of 300 equine therapy treatment centers
Dare U to Care Outreach Ministry, based in Los Angeles, CA, is dedicated to offering a complete range of substance use treatment and transitional housing in a supportive atmosphere. Our facility provides long-term residential care, ensuring 24-hour support for adult men and women, as well as young adults, who have faced intimate partner violence or domestic violence. At our center, we tailor our specialized programs to effectively meet individual needs, emphasizing 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief interventions. We pride ourselves on our commitment to delivering quality care, and our mission is to help clients achieve lasting recovery and successfully rebuild their lives.
Dedicato Treatment Center, situated in Pasadena, CA, is dedicated to providing comprehensive substance use treatment for both adults and young adults. The center offers a range of options, including intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient services, and outpatient day treatment. They emphasize effective methods such as 12-step facilitation, anger management, and cognitive behavioral therapy, ensuring that each program is tailored to meet the unique needs of every individual. Dedicato specializes in caring for adult men, adult women, and clients who have faced trauma, offering gender-specific care to enhance the support provided. Their commitment to quality services and diverse treatment approaches truly makes Dedicato Treatment Center a leading choice for anyone seeking effective and personalized addiction treatment in the Pasadena area.
Deaf Community Services of San Diego, situated in beautiful San Diego, CA, specializes in providing substance use treatment for both adults and young adults. Our primary focus is on intensive outpatient services, as well as regular outpatient options. We take pride in using evidence-based strategies like 12-step facilitation, brief intervention, and cognitive behavioral therapy to support our clients. We understand that each person's journey is unique, which is why we offer tailored programs designed specifically for adult men, adult women, and those who have experienced trauma. Our center fosters a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, welcoming both male and female clients. At Deaf Community Services of San Diego, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality care and personalized treatment plans. Our goal is to empower individuals as they navigate their path to recovery.
Crossroad Transitional Inc, located in Northridge, CA, provides a wide range of rehabilitation services specifically designed for adults and young adults facing substance use issues and co-occurring mental health disorders. The facility features specialized programs catering to the unique needs of active duty military personnel, as well as adult men and women. Patients can receive hospital inpatient detoxification and treatment, benefiting from various approaches, including 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief interventions. By offering gender-specific care, Crossroad ensures a nurturing environment for all clients. With a strong emphasis on high-quality, individualized treatment, this center has earned a reputation as a trusted option for those seeking effective and compassionate support in their journey to recovery from addiction.
Curry Senior Center, situated in the heart of San Francisco, CA, is dedicated to providing outpatient substance use treatment and specialized care for adults grappling with serious mental health issues. Our center employs a variety of effective strategies, including brief interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing, to create a supportive environment for recovery. We understand that each person's journey is unique, which is why we offer specialized programs for those who have faced intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and trauma. Our services are designed to serve adult clients of all genders, ensuring that everyone receives the personalized care they deserve, with a strong emphasis on holistic healing. At Curry Senior Center, our commitment to quality and compassion truly sets us apart. We strive to provide comprehensive support for individuals seeking treatment and rehabilitation, helping them navigate their paths to recovery with dignity and respect.
Crossroads Foundation, located in San Diego, CA, is dedicated to providing specialized long-term residential treatment for adults dealing with substance use and serious co-occurring mental health issues, as well as addressing serious emotional disturbances in children. Our center offers 24-hour care that incorporates methods such as 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief interventions. While we focus on adult women, our program is also designed to support seniors and young adult females. What sets Crossroads Foundation apart is our commitment to creating personalized care plans. We understand that each individual's journey is unique, and we strive to offer comprehensive support for those facing complex challenges. Our nurturing environment is designed to foster sustainable recovery and help our clients thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Equine Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy (also called equine-assisted psychotherapy or equine-facilitated therapy) involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing in addiction recovery. Facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists working together, this experiential approach provides unique opportunities for insight, trust-building, and personal transformation.
Why Horses?
Horses are large, powerful prey animals with highly developed social awareness and sensitivity to emotional states. They respond authentically to human emotions and energy, providing immediate, honest feedback without judgment or hidden agendas. Horses mirror human emotional states, react to incongruence between words and feelings, and respond to genuine, calm presence. This makes them powerful partners in therapeutic work.
Therapeutic Activities
Equine therapy sessions might include:
- Grooming and Care: Calming, meditative activities building relationship and responsibility
- Leading Exercises: Navigating obstacles together, practicing boundaries and clear communication
- Liberty Work: Allowing horse to choose whether to connect, exploring themes of trust and relationship
- Ground Exercises: Activities addressing specific therapeutic goals like teamwork, patience, or emotional awareness
- Observation and Reflection: Discussing experiences and insights applicable to recovery
What Equine Therapy Addresses
Working with horses helps develop trust (essential for recovery relationships), set healthy boundaries, communicate authentically, regulate emotions, build confidence and self-efficacy, practice responsibility and consistency, develop patience and present-moment awareness, and process trauma in experiential rather than purely verbal ways. Metaphors from horse interactions apply directly to recovery challenges and relationships.
No Horse Experience Needed
Equine therapy typically occurs on the ground without riding. No previous horse experience is required or expected. Professional equine specialists ensure safety, teach necessary skills, and work alongside therapists. Initial nervousness around horses often becomes therapeutic itself - learning to manage fear, ask for support, and build confidence through gradual exposure and successful interactions.
Integration in Treatment Programs
Equine therapy works best integrated into comprehensive treatment programs alongside traditional therapies like CBT, individual counseling, group therapy, and other evidence-based approaches. The experiential, outdoor, nature-based format provides balance to office-based talk therapy. Many find equine therapy uniquely powerful for accessing emotions and insights difficult to reach through conversation alone.
Equine therapy resources: