Sweet River Farm

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

Healing and Growth Through Connection with Horses

Welcome to Sweet River Farm’s Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy program, where healing meets horses. We offer unique services for individuals seeking support and growth.

Through interactive activities with our gentle horses, participants explore emotions, behaviors, and relationships in a safe and nurturing environment. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply seeking greater self-awareness and personal growth, our Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy program provides a safe and supportive space to explore, heal, and thrive.

Join us as we harness the transformative potential of the human-horse bond to create lasting change and empower individuals to lead happier, healthier lives.

Benefits of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy offers a unique and powerful approach to mental health treatment by integrating horses into the therapeutic process. Participants experience a wide range of benefits, including:

Emotional
Healing

Interacting with horses promotes emotional expression, providing opportunities for individuals to process and heal from past traumas or emotional wounds.

Stress
Reduction

Spending time with horses in a natural setting promotes relaxation and mindfulness, reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Building
Trust

Through meaningful connections with horses, participants learn to trust themselves and others, fostering healthier relationships and increased self-confidence.

Enhanced
Self-Awareness

Horses are sensitive to human emotions, reflecting and mirroring participants’ inner experiences, leading to greater self-awareness and insight.

Improved
Communication

Working with horses requires clear communication and nonverbal cues, enhancing participants’ communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness.

Personal
Growth

EAP encourages personal growth and empowerment, allowing individuals to overcome challenges, set goals, and develop resilience.

Our Approach

At Sweet River Farm, we utilize a client-centered and experiential approach to equine assisted psychotherapy, drawing on the innate wisdom and sensitivity of horses to facilitate therapeutic interventions.

• Integration of Horses: Horses serve as powerful co-facilitators in the therapy process, offering immediate and honest feedback to participants’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

• Activities: Therapy sessions may include ground-based interactions with horses, reflective exercises, and experiential activities designed to address specific therapeutic goals.

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Meet Our Therapists

Who Can Benefit

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy is designed to benefit individuals of all ages, struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and other mental health concerns.

What to Expect

During a session, participants will engage in activities with horses guided by the therapist, exploring emotions, relationships, and personal challenges in a supportive environment.

Suitability

If you’re unsure whether equine assisted psychotherapy is right for you, please contact us to schedule a consultation and assessment.

Get In Touch

Available Therapeutic Groups

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy offers a unique and powerful approach to mental health treatment by integrating horses into the therapeutic process. Participants experience a wide range of benefits, including:

Therapeutic Horsemanship Skils Group

Do you want to deepen your self-awareness and regulation, improve mindfulness and communication? This 6-week skills group uses experiential exercises with horses to practice healthful skills in the presence of others. Whether you are looking to solidify therapeutic gains, deepen a practice, or just try something constructive in a new environment, this group is for you.

• Supports: Anxiety, Depression, Emotional regulation, PTSD, Trauma

• Day/time: Wednesdays May 21st-June 25th 9-10:30am | Tuesdays 5:30pm-7:00pm

• Cost: $150 for the 6-week session plus insurance. Most major insurance accepted.

• Requirements: Adults 18+. No formal diagnosis required.

• To register: Email annieslicsw@gmail.comor call 413-350-5137

Testimonials

See what our visitors have to say about their experiences at Sweet River Farm

Sweet River Farm makes you feel like one of the family. I’m an adult rider and my daughter participates in the camps and clubs. Both Annie and Alyson are extremely knowledgeable about all-things equine from horse care to English equitation while nurturing a love of horses that is both safe and fun.

Jennifer B.

Alyson and Annie have been incredible to learn from! They have openly shared their wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for horses with me. Their natural ability and commitment to connect people and horses is inspiring. Supporting the mission of Sweet River Farm and working with the horses and community at the barn is something I look forward to each week.

Sam

I’m a participant’s grandfather, and I can attest she ALWAYS looked forward to going to your farm. I personally think this farm experience for children is an incredible step in their development. Most children think having a horse or in fact any animal, is just ride or play time. This program teaches them that owning a pet comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. The amount of work it takes to properly take care of an animal is learned and I believe it teaches the children to respect not only horses but all living creatures, including their fellow barn buddies. Thank you!

Steven M.

There are not enough positive words to describe Sweet River Farm! Alyson and Annie are truly amazing! They have helped my daughter become more comfortable not only as a rider and being around/caring for horses, but they have encouraged positive attitudes and social skills with their summer camps and after school programs. We can not wait to get back to the farm!

Martha M.

Our family cannot say enough good things about Sweet River Farm! Our kiddo went to camp last summer and had the absolute best time. She was so eager to go each day and learned so much, including how to take care of the horses and basic riding skills. Her confidence grew over the course of the week and she was so proud of herself as she showed off her new skills on the last day of camp! Alyson and Annie are gentle instructors and also establish and hold firm boundaries. We love Sweet River Farm!

Meaghan C.

I love Sweet River Farm! Everyday I learn something new. My riding instructors, Annie and Alyson, help me work through difficult challenges whether its on the ground or up on horseback. I’ve made so many new friends over the past two years and I even have a riding partner! Me and my friends love earning badges in the badge program. I am so excited for the rest of my journey at Sweet River Farm.