Upcoming Workshops
Winter 2026 Workshops:
“Hands-on with horses” small groups for those who are interested in:
learning basic horsemanship
practicing experiential learning
exploring interactive growth strategies together
Most of our Winter Workshops are full (join our waitlist here), but one remains open:
January Fun Day:
2026 Winter Class for ages 6-11
January 24, 1-2pm
Email here to let us know if you’d like to join us for the January 24 Fun Class or our upcoming Kids’ Zoom (January 13) or sign up here!
Additional 2026 Opportunities:
Spring Lineup: Activities with Horses to grow our HOPE
Stress Reduction Workshops: A hands-on with horses, learn-together small group for those who are interested in practicing experiential learning and interactive growth strategies. This has been in demand and ‘in the works’ for a while and we are grateful to finally have room in the schedule to offer it! It provides a great chance to learn basic horsemanship as well.
Next offerings will be in March and April. Join our waitlist here
PATH Intl Principles of Therapeutic Riding Workshop
Workshop for Instructors in Training, Option to Catch Up at Your Own Pace to get through Segment 1,
with Segment 2 following in October in Mason, Michigan, Register here
Orientation to Mindfulness with Horses: Online Learning Group
An asynchronous online 3 session learning class for adults, kids and teenagers focusing on the basics of therapeutic riding, unmounted horsemanship, horse knowledge and horse care. Begins January 30. $35, Register and take anytime! Register by emailing here
Previous Workshops:
Summer Sandbox: Activities with Horses to grow our HOPE
A sandtray style learn-together group for those who are interested in practicing experiential learning and interactive growth strategies with horses. This has been in demand and ‘in the works’ for a while and we are grateful to finally have time to offer it! It provides a great chance to learn basic horsemanship as well. Next offerings are in June and July and cost is $55. Register here
PATH Intl Principles of Therapeutic Riding Workshop Segment I
Workshop for Instructors in Training, April 2025 Register here
Winter 2025 Online Learning Group
An online 3 session learning class focusing on the basics of horsemanship, horse knowledge and horse care.
$35, Register by emailing here
Summer Therapeutic Horsemanship Course:
A five session course (3 online and 2 in person) focusing on the basics of therapeutic riding, unmounted horsemanship, horse knowledge and horse care. $325 with coupon, register and take anytime! Register by emailing here
Offerings for Kids and Teens:
Winter Learning Group for Teens: January 2 - FULL: Registration Closed
Horse Fan Club: Monthly starting December 2025, email us to get the scoop
Stress and Anxiety Reduction: December 31 - FULL: Registration Closed
Online Learning Group: An asynchronous online 3 session learning class focusing on the basics of therapeutic riding, unmounted horsemanship and horse care. $35, Register and take anytime! Register by emailing here
Resilience and Mindfulness through Horse Interaction & Photography: January 7 - FULL: Registration Closed
Stress Reduction with Help from Horses: December 31 - FULL: Registration Closed
Health and Educational Offerings For All Ages:
“Horse for a Day” Therapeutic Learning Experience: Full for Winter, Limited Space Remaining this Spring, includes time for English therapeutic riding, Western therapeutic riding, horsemanship education, stress reduction exercises, and 45 minutes grooming the horse. These experiences require a lot of horse and instructor supervision time on our part so we can’t offer them often, but we use them to help fund our therapy program and we love seeing community members enjoy our kind, beautiful horses! It’s a great chance to see what a day in the life of a horse looks like, and to jump the waitlist if you’d like a therapeutic lesson sooner. Email us to learn more!
Therapeutic Riding Lessons: Learn from a PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor in a group or individual setting. Therapeutic riding lessons are great for reducing anxiety, changing the “winter blues” (or Seasonal Affective Disorder), helping with ADHD management, and many other medical and mental health issues. Rates are usually $95, but grant funding each semester can lower that, and you can find out more by emailing us.
Equine Facilitated Counseling: Group or Individual Sessions with a licensed counselor using PATH’s best practices to give you high quality care. More information here.
Offerings for Adults:
Winter Learning Group: January 3, 2026 - FULL: Registration Closed
Horse Fan Club: Monthly starting December 2024, email us to get the scoop!
Stress and Anxiety Reduction: March 2025 - FULL: Registration Closed
Building Resilience with Help from Horses: October 2025, FULL: Registration Closed
Instructor Training - Principles of Therapeutic Riding: In person class has been completed, Virtual Class still open (click here to see our April 26 and later offerings of this)
2024:
Parenting Workshop
Rescheduled due to new location - check out Maribeth’s incredible new offerings as she launches a new equine assisted psychotherapy program on the other side of the state. It’s worth the drive!
$65/person or $95 for dual enrollment*
Get on our notification list here
Join us for a workshop focused on gathering important tools to enhance your parenting.
Leave with an increased confidence in supporting your child's mental health.
Feel validated in your ability to spot your child's different moods and support them navigating their emotions in healthy ways.
*dual enrollment covers two adult caretakers of the same child/children
Presenters:
Maribeth Gajewski, LPC, NCC, ACS (she/her): Psychotherapist, Workshop and Group Leader
Maribeth is certified as a Trauma Focused Cogntiive Behavioral Therapist through the Trauma-Focused Cogntiive Behavioral Therapy National Therapist Certification Program. TFCBT is geared to support children and adolescents that have experienced trauma. Maribeth is also the owner and director of Always in My Heart Counseling an Approved Clinical Supervisor through the National Board of Certified Counselors. She brings expertise and experience working with many parents and families. Family therapy provides an avenue for families to discuss concerns, identify needs and gain techniques for improving the household environment.
Jillian Rainwater, MA, LPC (she/her): EMDR Therapist, PATH Certified Instructor
Jill Rainwater is a National Certified Counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors. She provides EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy) and EFP (Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy) at Connected Growth & Wellness. She serves as a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH International, and her previous job experience includes providing therapy at healing centers such as Chastain Horse Park, Rooted Counseling and The Beekman Center. Speaking at Workshops, Hospitals, Colleges and Retreat Centers, Jill also provides consulting and training to therapy and medical practices.
Optimizing Your Competitive Performance
Date and Time TBD, Please email hello@michigan-emdr.com for latest update
Get on our notification list here
Join us for a Saturday that includes both a workshop and a clinic!
Don’t miss this opportunity to clinic with master horsewomen Leesa Massman and Taylor Dowd, and enjoy a sports psychology workshop with psychotherapist Jill Rainwater on the same day, all in one location!
Presenters:
Leesa Massman: Certified Performance Coach, National Level Instructor
A Michigan State coach for over twenty years, Leesa is renowned across the country as a successful instructor of nearly every horse division and breed. She is the owner and director of Leesa Massman Horsemanship, and a master coach whom other trainers and instructors call in to help riders and horses get unstuck. Leesa has a consistent track record of amazing achievement (Instructing over 160 National Champion riders!) and incredible skill at describing things in ways anyone can understand.
Taylor Dowd-Kerr: Certified USHJA Trainer and IEA Coach
Taylor is a Certified Instructor and Trainer through the United States Hunter Jumper Association and has owned a very successful horse training program since 2015, often having a waiting list into the hundreds. Taylor focuses her style toward all around horsemanship. She educates horses and riders on the ground and in the saddle with a strong emphasis on confidence. Taylor's goal is to teach teamwork by producing riders that greatly advocate for their horse's comfort and care while also helping horses find fortitude and happiness to willingly perform their job. She runs two facilities in the Lansing area and has a reputation for providing expert care and training, individualized to each horse.
Jillian Rainwater, MA, LPC: Anxiety Therapist, PATH Certified Instructor
Jill Rainwater is a National Certified Counselor with the National Board of Certified Counselors. She provides EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy) and EFP (Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy) at Connected Growth & Wellness. She serves as a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH International, and her previous job experience includes providing therapy at healing centers such as Chastain Horse Park, Rooted Counseling and The Beekman Center. Speaking at Workshops, Hospitals, Colleges and Retreat Centers, Jill also provides consulting and training to therapy and medical practices.
Couples’ and Families’ Intensives
MSU Parents Weekend Group
After School EQ & IQ Group
Preparing to Lease a Horse Workshop
Introduction to Equine Assisted Counseling
Interested in joining us for a workshop?
Registration hasn’t opened yet for the Coming Soons without dates listed next to them, but you can have early access to them by emailing Hello@Michigan-EMDR.com with the subject line “Workshop Spot Hold” and specifying in the email body which workshop you are interested in coming up later this year. We can’t wait to grow and learn with you!