Recovery from addiction requires more than just willpower. Comprehensive treatment options, like horse-assisted therapy (also known as equine therapy), can help individuals rebuild their lives. At Great Falls Wellness, we incorporate horse-assisted therapy into our intensive outpatient program, offering a unique and effective approach to addiction recovery.
What is Horse-Assisted Therapy?
Horse-assisted therapy involves engaging with horses in a therapeutic setting. Activities may include riding, grooming, leading, and observing horses. Unlike traditional therapy, this approach allows participants to interact in a calm, non-judgmental environment– a “stable” environment, no pun intended.
Research shows that horse-assisted therapy can make a big difference for those in recovery. A 2016 study published in Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment found that participants felt “needed and appreciated” when working with horses. They said the experience helped them see themselves in a more positive way. By focusing on the present and taking care of the horses, participants were able to shift their identity from “patient” to “contributor.” This change in mindset can be a powerful motivator for sticking with treatment and making progress.
Benefits of Horse-Assisted Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Horse-assisted therapy offers several benefits for individuals in addiction recovery:
- Building Trust and Communication Skills: Horses respond to non-verbal cues, teaching participants the importance of clear communication and mutual trust.
- Fostering Emotional Awareness: Engaging with horses helps individuals recognize and manage emotions. Horses mirror human behavior, making it easier to understand personal emotional states.
- Encouraging Responsibility: Caring for horses provides a sense of accountability, which can translate into other areas of life.
- Reducing Stress: Being outdoors and interacting with animals has been shown to lower stress levels and promote relaxation.
At Great Falls Wellness, horse-assisted therapy sessions are held once a week. Each session aligns with the individual’s personalized treatment plan, ensuring their specific needs are met.
Why Experiential Therapies Work
Horse-assisted therapy is a type of experiential therapy. It focuses on using hands-on experiences to promote healing by connecting the mind and body. In fact, horse-assisted therapy is evidence-based and dates back to Ancient Greece. Additionally, studies show that experiential therapies can help people stay in recovery longer.
These therapies teach grounding and communication techniques, which clients can quickly apply in their daily lives. As a result, they often provide breakthroughs that traditional methods may not achieve. Research has shown that experiential approaches can help people stay in recovery longer and provide valuable breakthroughs that traditional methods alone may not achieve.
At Great Falls Wellness, we believe that recovery should address the whole person. Along with horse-assisted therapy, our programs include yoga, meditation, and art therapy to help clients manage stress and express themselves. Traditional methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) guide clients in changing harmful thought patterns. Family therapy and sober coaching offer additional layers of support, ensuring each person has the tools they need to succeed.
Horse-Assisted Therapy at Great Falls Wellness
Dr. Ioana Marcus leads horse-assisted therapy at Great Falls Wellness with decades of experience. She specializes in trauma-focused methods like equine-assisted EMDR and Gestalt equine psychotherapy. Clients love working with Dr. Marcus and her horses—Whiskers, Snuggleberry, and Ember. These horses bring warmth and trust to the healing process. Spending time at the barn each week helps clients feel calm and supported. For many, equine therapy is the highlight of their treatment. Each session follows a personalized plan from our Clinical Director, ensuring that therapy meets the client’s individual needs.
Why Choose Great Falls Wellness?
We offer a free assessment to determine if our program is a good fit. Equine therapy is part of a balanced plan that combines traditional and hands-on approaches. Each client receives a personalized treatment plan based on their specific needs. Additionally, we are the only IOP in Northern Virginia offering horse-assisted therapy, making Great Falls Wellness a leader in this field.
If you’re considering horse-assisted therapy or other outpatient treatments, contact Great Falls Wellness. Let us help you or your loved one take the next step toward recovery.
For further reading, please check out this amazing article:
Kern-Godal, A., Brenna, I. H., Arnevik, E. A., & Ravndal, E. (2016). More Than Just a Break from Treatment: How Substance Use Disorder Patients Experience the Stable Environment in Horse-Assisted Therapy. Substance abuse : research and treatment, 10, 99–108. https://doi.org/10.4137/SART.S40475
