Horses are magnificent animals. They’re nonjudgmental, compassionate and are able to mirror the emotions and attitudes of those interacting with them. These characteristics are what make horses such amazing companions for those trying to overcome addiction and other mood irregularities.
At The Raleigh House, we incorporate equine therapy into our inpatient treatment program to help you identify emotional and behavioral challenges and develop skills like confidence, boundaries and insight.
What is Equine Therapy?
Equine Therapy (also known as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) is a powerful intervention used in the addiction treatment process. Horses, who are natural herd animals, act as emotional mirrors to our feelings. They intuitively know what you are experiencing, even when you can’t easily identify it. This innate sensitivity provides you with immediate feedback and helps you get in touch with the unexpressed or numb feelings that so many people struggle with in addiction.
Although all of the work done with the horses is on the ground, it’s still hard to ignore the size and presence of these gentle giants. Equine therapy works to rebuild the trust that so many people may have lost throughout their life. Horses can help you to rebuild connections, identify patterns, and calm your anxiety.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a metaphorical learning process that can create change more readily and quickly than traditional talk therapy. At our addiction treatment center in Colorado, our trained Equine Therapist will help to facilitate an unforgettable series of experiences that will impact you in ways you couldn’t imagine.
Benefits of Equine Therapy for Addiction
Interacting with equine therapy horses offers many benefits for addiction treatment and recovery, including:
- Learning to communicate in ways that are meaningful to you
- Increases in your confidence and self-acceptance
- The ability to process unresolved feelings or trauma
- Taking back your power and sense of self
- Identifying and solving problems that have felt unmanageable
- Improved interpersonal relationships and build a sense of community
The special experience you will have in equine-assisted therapy can renew your self-worth and motivate you to live a healthier life and reconnect you to your identity.
Learn More About Our Inpatient Drug Rehab Center in Colorado
Equine therapy is just one aspect of the holistic treatment approach we take at The Raleigh House. To learn more about our evidence-based treatments and experiential therapies you’ll experience or to find out how to get started, please contact us today or call us directly at 720.891.4657.