Equine-Assisted Therapy in Michigan | Counseling & Psychology

Equine-Assisted Therapy in Michigan is a mental health service that blends talk therapy with guided activities around horses. If you feel “stuck” in anxiety, trauma, grief, or big life changes, this approach can help when regular office therapy feels too hard or too fast. Many people know what they want to change, but their body still feels tense, shut down, or on guard—especially after stress or trauma. Working with horses can support calmer breathing, safer boundaries, and steady trust, one small step at a time.

Equine-Assisted Therapy may be a good fit for children, teens, and adults who learn best by doing, not just talking. Sessions may include grooming, leading, and observing horse behavior—often on the ground (not riding), based on your needs and safety. Services are provided by a licensed mental health professional and an equine specialist, with clear goals, consent, and a treatment plan.

Signs You Might Benefit (Symptoms & Benefits)

You do not need to “love horses” to benefit. You only need to be open to learning with support. This service may help if you notice:

• Anxiety or panic: racing thoughts, tight chest, fear that “something bad will happen.”
• Trauma stress: nightmares, startle response, feeling unsafe, or avoiding places and people.
• Depression: low energy, loss of interest, feeling numb or disconnected.
• Grief and loss: big waves of sadness, guilt, or feeling “stuck” after a death or change.
• Anger and impulse control: quick reactions, yelling, or trouble cooling down.
• Low self-esteem: harsh self-talk, people-pleasing, trouble saying “no.”
• Relationship stress: trust issues, conflict at home, or feeling misunderstood.
• Sensory and body-based stress: freezing, shutting down, or feeling on edge in your body.

Potential benefits often include:

• Better self-regulation: learning how to calm your body with breathing, grounding, and pacing.
• Clearer boundaries: practicing safe “yes/no” choices and respectful space.
• More confidence: noticing progress quickly through hands-on tasks.
• Improved communication: learning to be clear, calm, and consistent.
• Stronger coping skills: tools you can use at school, work, and home.

Evidence-Based Approach

Equine-Assisted Therapy is not just “being around horses.” It is a planned clinical service with goals, documentation, and skills practice. We use a team approach: a licensed mental health provider leads treatment, and an equine professional supports horse handling and safety. Horses can help because they respond to human body cues like tension, breathing, and movement. This can make emotions easier to notice and name in real time.

Clinical modalities we may integrate

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): to spot unhelpful thoughts and build new coping steps.
• Trauma-informed care: to support safety, choice, and control during sessions.
• Mindfulness and grounding: to help your nervous system settle and stay present.
• Skills-based emotion regulation: to practice calm-down plans and communication tools.
• Attachment and relationship work: to explore trust, leadership, and safe connection.

Why horses can support mental health goals

Research suggests that animal-assisted and equine-assisted interventions may improve anxiety, mood, and social functioning for some people, especially when paired with structured therapy goals. The NIH notes that human-animal interaction can lower stress and support emotional well-being for many individuals (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, n.d.). In addition, a review of equine-assisted psychotherapy literature found promising outcomes, while also calling for strong standards and careful program design (Lentini & Knox, 2015). We follow those principles by using clear treatment plans and measurable goals.

Michigan licensing standards: Clinical services are delivered by professionals licensed in Michigan (such as LPC, LMSW, LLP, or licensed psychologist), practicing within their scope, with proper informed consent, privacy protections, and documentation. If equine services are part of your plan, we also follow safety policies and facility standards to reduce risk and support client comfort.

What to Expect

Many people worry, “What if I do it wrong?” You won’t. Sessions are guided and paced for you. You stay in control, and we choose activities that match your goals and comfort level.

Step 1: Intake and goal-setting

Your first visit is usually an intake appointment. We will talk about what brings you in, your symptoms, your health history, and what you hope will change. We may use short screeners for anxiety, depression, trauma stress, or functioning. Then we build a treatment plan with goals like:

• Reduce panic symptoms from daily to weekly
• Sleep better with fewer nightmares
• Use 2–3 coping tools during conflict
• Improve peer or family communication

Step 2: Safety and orientation

Before working near horses, we review barn rules, safe distance, and how to move calmly. You will learn how the horse may react, and what to do if you feel nervous. Helmets or other safety gear may be used based on the activity. Many sessions are ground-based and do not involve riding.

Step 3: The therapy session

A typical session lasts 45–60 minutes. Your therapist may guide you through activities such as grooming, leading, setting up simple obstacles, or mindful observation. We connect what happens in the moment to your therapy goals. For example:

• If your breathing gets fast, we pause and practice a grounding skill.
• If you struggle to set limits, we practice clear boundaries and respectful space.
• If you feel shut down, we work on safe engagement with small steps.

Step 4: Progress review and home practice

We check progress every few weeks and adjust goals as needed. You may get simple “between-session” practice like a breathing routine, a feelings chart, or a boundary script. If you also do office-based therapy, we can coordinate care (with your written permission).

Insurance

Insurance coverage for Equine-Assisted Therapy can vary. In many cases, you are using your mental health benefit for psychotherapy provided by a Michigan-licensed clinician. The equine setting may be part of the clinician’s treatment plan.

• Copays and coinsurance: Your plan may require a set copay (like $25–$50) or a percentage cost after the deductible.
• Deductibles: If your deductible is not met, you may pay the session rate until it is met.
• Medical necessity: Insurance typically requires a diagnosis and documented treatment goals.
• Mental health parity: Many plans must cover mental health care in a way that is comparable to medical coverage (Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act). Coverage still depends on your specific plan and network rules.

We can help you check benefits, explain expected costs, and provide a superbill if we are out-of-network. If you want, ask us what codes we use and what your plan needs for pre-authorization.

FAQ

Do I have to ride a horse?

Not usually. Many equine-assisted therapy sessions are ground-based, meaning you work with the horse from the ground through grooming, leading, and safe activities. If riding is offered, it is only used when it matches your goals and safety plan.

Is Equine-Assisted Therapy safe if I have anxiety or trauma?

Yes, when it is done with a trauma-informed plan and strong safety rules. You stay in control of your pace and choices. Your therapist will help you build safety skills first, and we can stay farther from the horse until you feel ready.

What ages do you work with?

Equine-Assisted Therapy can work well for children, teens, and adults. The exact age range depends on the program, safety needs, and clinical fit. We will help you decide if this is the right level of support for you or your child.

How do I know if this will work for me?

A good sign is that you want change, but talking alone feels hard. We will set clear goals and track progress. If you are not improving, we will adjust the plan or recommend another service that better fits your needs.

References

• Lentini, J. A., & Knox, M. S. (2015). A qualitative and quantitative review of equine facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) with children and adolescents. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 3(4), 58–67.
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (n.d.). Animal-assisted therapy. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/