You’re in the right place if you want a peaceful, interactive experience…
Maybe you want a learning experience that is different from talk therapy (or in addition to it), and you want a seasoned expert guiding you. You want something that works. This model is a good fit for you if:
Nature and animals seem to ground you and bring you peace
You prefer in-person, interactive counseling or learning
You learn by practicing and experiencing, rather than hearing
Our equine facilitated therapy and learning program was created with you in mind! We can’t wait to help you reach your goals and enjoy the journey.
Connected Growth & Wellness offers:
Equine Facilitated Counseling
Mental Wellness Workshops
Classes on Equine Care
and Equine Assisted Learning Opportunities
We specialize in hope and connection.
Our horses are trained to provide humans with helpful feedback, experiential learning and gentle care. The horses do this while enjoying the opportunity to partner with humans, bringing their genuine selves to classes and sessions.
How Counseling Here Works
With Licensed and Certified Providers
Our program brings decades of experience with horses, PATH International training, experiential learning, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Our potential clients report that there are a lot of options out there, but that we are one of the only options in the area that uses PATH’s best practice and the industry standard of care: a licensed mental health professional and certified equine professional (or a therapist that has both credentials) in all of our sessions.
PATH is the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, the organization that has set the standard since its inception in 1969. PATH International currently serves over 60,000 participants per year and we are proud to utilize its model and be a part of an organization that promotes safety, expertise, fun, learning, growth, excellence and professionalism.
Adaptive Riding Instructors and our Counselors at Connected Growth & Wellness offer both workshops and weekly sessions which can help you find wellness and balance…
with anxiety
with ADHD
with depression
with binge eating disorder
with PTSD
with parenting
with life transitions
with grief and loss
with self esteem
with motivation and countless other issues, too!
Does it sound like equine assisted counseling is for you?
With a connected horse and a trained therapist to help,
you don’t have to try to figure things out on your own anymore.
We want to help you experience contentment
and live a life that isn’t defined by fear.
Begin your journey toward hope and change here
with our Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) Program.
**Please note that we currently have a 4-6 month waiting list for slots in our equine facilitated therapy program at some of our sites due to being full.**
We do, however, have workshop availability as soon as this summer, and information can be found by clicking here instead of the button that follows.
FAQs about EFP
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It depends on the service. Most psychotherapy services range between $145 for a short session to $695 for an intensive retreat, whereas workshops start as low as $25 with grants available. Occasionally health insurance companies offer coverage, please contact our office if you'd like to see if yours does or if any scholarship-based services or grant-funded services are currently available.
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No! We welcome clients ranging from experienced riders to those who have never met a horse.
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Most often, no. Occasionally, treatment plans will include methods like rhythmic riding or bilateral stimulation on top of the horse, but those are less frequent and most of our EFP work is unmounted.
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The stables where we offer EFP also offer riding lessons, and we can connect you with an instructor there if you’d like.
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Therapeutic riding is focused on riding a horse to improve social, emotional and physiological goals. Students with medical or mental health needs may qualify for therapeutic riding instead of equine therapy, and you are welcome to contact us at hello@michigan-emdr.com to discuss.
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Our equine facilitated learning classes might be the best option for you! Click the city name in this sentence to learn about those current offerings in Marshall and Lansing. Please note that the group offerings are not currently covered by health insurance, but we are working on exploring that option.