When does Equine Somatic Experiencing start?

Equine sessions begin in April 2027. Until then, feel free to reach out with questions or to get on the waitlist. Anything discussed in early conversations, including telehealth sessions, can help us determine whether this is the right fit for you once the farm sessions are ready to begin.

 

What will my first few sessions look like?

We'll start with 1–3 sessions by telehealth. This gives us a chance to get to know one another, to talk about what's bringing you to therapy, and to begin understanding the patterns and experiences you'd like to explore. We'll also start introducing somatic work, noticing how what you carry shows up in your body.

If it feels like Equine Somatic Experiencing is a good fit for you, we'll plan your first visit to the farm from there.

 

What happens during my first visit to the farm?

Your first farm session is mostly about getting familiar with the setting and meeting the horses. Depending on how things unfold, that might mean simply spending time near them, getting to know one another over the fence.

There's no expectation that you'll enter the pasture, touch a horse, or interact directly on day one. Whether that happens depends on the horses, the environment, your comfort level, and what feels right for the work that day.

The goal was never to check a box or "do" something with a horse. It's to notice your experience in the moment: your body, your emotions, your impulses, your sense of safety, and let that become part of our work together.

 

Will I be expected to ride a horse?

No. Riding isn't part of Equine Somatic Experiencing. This isn't about horsemanship or learning to perform a task. The horses are part of the therapeutic environment, and they may become part of our work in whatever way feels appropriate for you and for them.

 

Will I get to touch or interact with the horses?

Maybe, but it's never guaranteed, and that's intentional. We won't ask a horse to participate just because a session plan calls for it.

Sometimes the most meaningful work happens while you're simply observing the horses, noticing what stirs in your body as you're near them. Other times, direct interaction becomes part of the session naturally. Either way, we follow what's true in the moment rather than a script.

 

Is this primarily about working with horses?

No, this is therapy first. Equine Somatic Experiencing brings somatic and psychotherapeutic work into the presence of horses. The horses aren't therapists, and we're not relying on them to interpret your feelings or hand you a lesson.

Instead, we use what happens in the moment: your interactions with the horses, the environment, your own internal experience, as a doorway into noticing patterns that may show up elsewhere in your life, too.

 

What if I'm nervous around horses?

That's okay. You don't need to feel comfortable around horses before we begin.

We'll move at a pace that respects your boundaries. There's no expectation that you'll touch, approach, or interact with a horse before you're ready. Your response to being near them, whether that's curiosity, hesitation, or wanting more distance, can itself become part of the conversation.

 

Do I need experience with horses?

No. You don't need to know how to handle, ride, groom, or "read" a horse. These aren't horsemanship lessons, and you won't be asked to demonstrate any particular skill.

 

What should I expect from therapy at the farm?

Farm sessions are still therapy sessions. We'll talk, notice bodily sensations, explore emotions and memories, and get curious about the patterns showing up in your relationships and your life.

The outdoor setting and the presence of the horses give us more to notice and explore together. Sometimes, though, the most important part of a session is something that happens quietly, internally, with no horse involved at all.

 

Will every session involve the horses?

Not necessarily. There's no predetermined sequence here. Whether the horses are directly part of a given session depends on what's therapeutically appropriate that day, not on an expectation that we need to "do something" with a horse every time.

 

What should I know about the farm setting?

Sessions happen outdoors on a working farm, so it's a different experience than meeting in a traditional office. Expect bugs, mud, uneven ground, and whatever the weather's doing that day: heat, cold, wind, or rain.

There isn't easy access to a restroom at the farm, so plan accordingly before your session. And because it's an active, working farm, there may be other people, animals, or activity nearby.

 

Is there privacy at the farm?

Because sessions take place outdoors on a working farm, complete privacy can't be guaranteed. There may be other people, animals, or activity around. We'll do everything reasonable to protect your privacy, but it's worth knowing upfront that this is a different environment than a private office.

 

What should I wear to a farm session?

Something comfortable and appropriate for being outside, in whatever weather shows up. Closed-toe shoes are required in the field. Wear clothes you won't mind getting a little dirty; long pants and layers are a good call, given the bugs and mud.

 

What if the weather is bad?

Because we're outside, weather or farm conditions may occasionally mean modifying, postponing, or moving a session. Your safety, and the horses' wellbeing, always come first.

 

What's the difference between Equine Somatic Experiencing and equine-assisted coaching?

Equine Somatic Experiencing is psychotherapy that brings the presence of horses into somatic and relational work. It isn't horsemanship instruction, leadership coaching, or a set of activities designed to produce a particular outcome.

The focus stays on your experience and our therapeutic relationship, with the horses as part of the environment that experience unfolds within.

 

How do I know if this is right for me?

You don't need to know before reaching out. We'll use our initial telehealth sessions to get to know each other, talk about what you're looking for, and figure out together whether this approach feels like a good fit. Equine work isn't automatically right for everyone, and there's no expectation that you commit to working with the horses just because the farm setting interests you.