Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs
Equine-assisted therapy involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, communication skills, and trust-building in addiction recovery. Horses provide non-judgmental feedback and opportunities for healing.
Found 300 treatment centers offering equine therapy across the United States.
Need Help Finding the Right Treatment Center?
Speak with a compassionate specialist now - 100% free & confidential
Showing 6 of 300 equine therapy treatment centers
Scottsdale Recovery II LLC, located in Paradise Valley, AZ, provides inpatient detox services for both adults and young adults aiming to overcome substance use issues. The center features round-the-clock inpatient care designed around 12-step support, short intervention techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Offering specialized programs for those dealing with both mental health challenges and substance use disorders, Scottsdale Recovery II LLC serves both men and women. The facility's dedication to high-quality care and personalized treatment plans ensures it is a key support system for individuals ready to start their journey toward recovery.
Sierra Tucson, situated in Tucson, Arizona, provides extensive support for adults and young adults dealing with substance use issues alongside mental health challenges. The center features inpatient detox services and various treatment programs, including targeted assistance for individuals with past trauma or experiences of sexual abuse. With an emphasis on 12-step programs, anger management, and short-term interventions, Sierra Tucson serves both men and women, including active military members. Renowned for its exceptional care and personalized treatment plans, this center stands out as a leading option for individuals in need of empathetic rehabilitation solutions.
Located in Scottsdale, AZ, SMC Recovery LLC delivers targeted treatment solutions for individuals grappling with substance use issues, including both adults and young adults. The center offers a variety of programs, such as intensive outpatient treatment, standard outpatient services, and options that include methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatments. SMC Recovery LLC emphasizes tailored care through methods like 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief interventions, catering to the unique needs of each client. Additionally, the facility is recognized for its focus on gender-specific treatment for both men and women. For those seeking a rehabilitation center that prioritizes a customized approach to addiction recovery with diverse specialized offerings, SMC Recovery LLC may be an ideal option.
Situated in Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale Providence delivers an extensive array of services for those battling addiction. This center features detoxification, treatment for substance use disorders, transitional housing, halfway house accommodations, and sober living arrangements. Scottsdale Providence offers various treatment modalities, including intensive outpatient programs, outpatient care, and day treatment options, serving adults and young adults regardless of gender. What sets this facility apart is its targeted programs for adult men, adult women, and individuals who have faced intimate partner violence. By employing methods such as 12-step support, brief interventions, and cognitive behavioral therapy, Scottsdale Providence provides personalized, high-quality care to meet each client's unique requirements.
Silver Sands Recovery in Prescott, AZ, provides thorough addiction treatment and expert support for individuals facing dual diagnoses of mental health conditions. This center offers structured outpatient services, incorporating 12-step principles, cognitive behavioral strategies, and techniques for managing anger. Emphasizing supportive transitional housing and sober living options, Silver Sands Recovery serves adult men and women, along with young adults. Their specialized care for co-occurring disorders guarantees personalized treatment plans. Opt for Silver Sands Recovery for effective, gender-tailored care in a peaceful Arizona location.
Sierra at Scottsdale, situated in Scottsdale, AZ, provides targeted care for adults and young adults grappling with substance use disorders alongside significant mental health or emotional challenges. The center offers a range of treatment intensities, including intensive outpatient, standard outpatient, and partial hospitalization. Their therapeutic approach emphasizes anger management, brief interventions, and cognitive behavioral therapy, all customized to each individual's specific requirements. Specialized programs are available for active duty military personnel, adult men, and adult women. This facility caters to all genders, delivering expert rehabilitation services within a nurturing setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Equine Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy (also called equine-assisted psychotherapy or equine-facilitated therapy) involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing in addiction recovery. Facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists working together, this experiential approach provides unique opportunities for insight, trust-building, and personal transformation.
Why Horses?
Horses are large, powerful prey animals with highly developed social awareness and sensitivity to emotional states. They respond authentically to human emotions and energy, providing immediate, honest feedback without judgment or hidden agendas. Horses mirror human emotional states, react to incongruence between words and feelings, and respond to genuine, calm presence. This makes them powerful partners in therapeutic work.
Therapeutic Activities
Equine therapy sessions might include:
- Grooming and Care: Calming, meditative activities building relationship and responsibility
- Leading Exercises: Navigating obstacles together, practicing boundaries and clear communication
- Liberty Work: Allowing horse to choose whether to connect, exploring themes of trust and relationship
- Ground Exercises: Activities addressing specific therapeutic goals like teamwork, patience, or emotional awareness
- Observation and Reflection: Discussing experiences and insights applicable to recovery
What Equine Therapy Addresses
Working with horses helps develop trust (essential for recovery relationships), set healthy boundaries, communicate authentically, regulate emotions, build confidence and self-efficacy, practice responsibility and consistency, develop patience and present-moment awareness, and process trauma in experiential rather than purely verbal ways. Metaphors from horse interactions apply directly to recovery challenges and relationships.
No Horse Experience Needed
Equine therapy typically occurs on the ground without riding. No previous horse experience is required or expected. Professional equine specialists ensure safety, teach necessary skills, and work alongside therapists. Initial nervousness around horses often becomes therapeutic itself - learning to manage fear, ask for support, and build confidence through gradual exposure and successful interactions.
Integration in Treatment Programs
Equine therapy works best integrated into comprehensive treatment programs alongside traditional therapies like CBT, individual counseling, group therapy, and other evidence-based approaches. The experiential, outdoor, nature-based format provides balance to office-based talk therapy. Many find equine therapy uniquely powerful for accessing emotions and insights difficult to reach through conversation alone.
Equine therapy resources:
Browse equine therapy programs in states with the most treatment options:
Levels of Care
Need immediate help? Call SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357 (24/7, free)