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.
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Showing 6 of 300 equine therapy treatment centers

Located in Deerfield Beach, FL, Nexus Blue Water Counseling LLC offers outpatient substance use treatment for adults and young adults. This facility specializes in anger management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and contingency management/motivational incentives. With a focus on individualized care, the center provides tailored programs for both male and female clients. Nexus Blue Water Counseling LLC stands out for its comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, ensuring high-quality care and support for individuals seeking recovery.

North Florida South Georgia, situated in Jacksonville, FL, delivers complete addiction treatment for adults and younger adults. Their offerings include intensive outpatient care, general outpatient services, and outpatient detox. Emphasizing brief intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational incentives, the facility supports individuals facing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Specialized tracks are provided for active military personnel, adult men, and adult women. North Florida South Georgia is committed to providing high-quality, effective detoxification and substance use treatment in a nurturing setting for all clients.

Newman Counseling Alternatives PA, located in Daytona Beach, FL, provides comprehensive outpatient services for individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health challenges. Their program serves both adults and children, employing evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed counseling, complemented by convenient telemedicine options. This facility is committed to delivering exceptional care tailored to each person's recovery journey. They offer specialized support for active duty military personnel, adolescents, and adult men, and welcome both male and female clients. Newman Counseling Alternatives PA prioritizes personalized treatment plans and a diverse array of therapeutic interventions to assist adults and children navigating substance use and mental health issues.

New Horizons of the Treasure Coast, situated in Fort Pierce, FL, delivers extensive addiction recovery services for adults and adolescents. This establishment offers on-site detox and round-the-clock residential care for individuals battling substance abuse and accompanying mental health challenges. The center features tailored tracks for active duty service members, adult males, and adult females, addressing a broad spectrum of requirements. Employing strategies such as 12-step integration, emotional regulation techniques, and short-term counseling, the focus is on personalized healing journeys. New Horizons of the Treasure Coast is dedicated to providing effective treatment for all clients, regardless of gender, who are pursuing sobriety and a transformed future.

New Vision at Holy Cross Hospital, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, specializes in providing thorough detox services within a hospital environment. This center is equipped to offer round-the-clock inpatient care for both adults and young adults, featuring tailored programs specifically designed for active duty military members as well as separate services for adult men and women. The focus is on counseling for substance use disorders, aiding individuals in their recovery journey. Committed to high-quality support, New Vision at Holy Cross Hospital serves as a resource for both male and female clients in need of professional addiction treatment. For those in search of a nurturing and effective detox program, this facility is dedicated to steering individuals towards a healthier life free of substances.

New Horizons of the Treasure Coast in Fort Pierce, FL, delivers targeted outpatient services for adults grappling with substance use disorders and co-occurring severe mental health issues, as well as for children experiencing emotional challenges. The center employs a variety of scientifically validated therapeutic methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, anger management techniques, and concise intervention strategies. Their offerings are designed to meet the specific needs of distinct groups, including active military personnel, teenagers, and adult men, accommodating a wide spectrum of ages and genders. A committed staff fosters a nurturing atmosphere to ensure exceptional care. This center provides customized support for those requiring either outpatient methadone/buprenorphine services or standard outpatient treatment.
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.
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Levels of Care
Need immediate help? Call SAMHSA: 1-800-662-4357 (24/7, free)