Counseling with horses
Equine Therapy
I am looking for an organization that recognizes the benefits and value of using horses in mental health treatment and has a vision to develop an equine therapy program of their own.
Contact
If your company is interested in learning more about equine therapy and how a program can be designed specifically for your demographic and treatment structure, please contact me through this website or at:
Horses Help Mental Health
hUMBLE Therapy combines horseback riding with professional counseling.
Humble stands for Horses Utilizing, Mindfulness, Balance, and Logos in the Environment.
The hUMBLE Therapy approach is organic and the principles are designed to be incorporated into other treatment modalities and settings.
How it Works
Every hUMBLE Therapy session consists of setting goals with the therapist and establishing a relationship with the horses on the ground. No horseback riding experience is required and the client's treatment plan goals mirror those of traditional counseling.
Who can it help?
hUMBLE Therapy is a professional counseling approach that can help anyone who is struggling with a wide range of mental health challenges
A variety of interactions with horses fall into the realm of therapy and the activities with the horses are based on the objectives of the session and the needs of the client and the horses
Physical and emotional safety is the first priority for the riders and horses. Safety will always dictate the various activities during the session. Mindfulness with the horses is one way to become grounded before riding or doing any other activities with the horses. Each session is an organic process that is specifically tailored to each client, the horses, and the goals of the session.
Sessions can consist of and aren’t limited to counseling on horseback during a long ride, counseling once dismounted between two rides, and counseling while walking and leading the horses.
Centering yourself in the saddle and going for a ride on a horse brings unique benefits to everyone.
hORSES
People have been using horses and horseback riding as a form of therapy for thousands of years.
Horses are sensitive to non-verbal communication, and they stay mentally and physically balanced in the present moment.
Horses are conditioned to react and respond under extreme stress. The relationship between horse and rider has a connection on many levels. The mutual building of trust, with such a large and powerful animal, aid in building or restoring healthy communication skills and boundaries.
Effective communication with a horse requires emotional awareness and regulation. In turn these healthy skills are used in other relationships.
This process requires mutual respect and emphasizes mindfulness, balance, patience, and humility.
mINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is the process of purposely bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment.
Horses are natural examples of mindfulness and are not concerned with the past or the future. Just a horse’s presence induces mindfulness to those around them.
Practitioners of mindfulness aim to cultivate self-awareness and compassionate feelings and thoughts toward themselves and others. Many people tend to be unaware of their current feelings, emotions, and body sensations.
Conditioned thought patterns focused on the past and future add to symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and stress. Asking for serenity in the present moment and the wisdom to know what is, and what is out of your control speaks directly to being mindful.
The hUMBLE Therapy approach assists in staying grounded and in tune with our current state of mind and environment. Mindfulness techniques are utilized in many therapeutic modalities to treat those who suffer from a wide range of mental health challenges. Mindful meditation with horses helps in reducing reactions to stress by inducing the relaxation response, lowering the heart rate, reducing anxiety, and encouraging positive thought patterns and attitudes.
Horses can also help others to focus on breathwork and encourage positive attitudes to achieve a healthy and balanced mental state.
bALANCE
Balance is addressed on several levels during a holistic hUMBLE Therapy session. Holistic treatment simply means that a person works to maintain a good working balance between mind, body, and spirit.
Although each of us at one time or another suffers from an imbalance in certain areas, nature’s way is to seek balance in a quick and appropriate manor.
The hUMBLE Therapy approach is designed to sculpt physical posture by using balance while mounted on the horse, and simultaneously focusing on emotional and spiritual centeredness.
Riding a horse requires you to keep your balance regardless of the speed you are going or the terrain you are covering. Balance will help you communicate with the horse through muscular movements, and it will keep you grounded through the horse if a sudden move is made. Movement produces endorphins, the natural chemicals in your body that elicit feelings of pleasure.
When you combine the benefits of exercise from horseback riding with the mood-boosting effects of being in nature, you have the ability to address both the emotional and physical needs of your body. Horseback riding has numerous physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
Going for a ride is a full-body workout that stretches and strengthens muscles. hUMBLE Therapy riding exercises the mind, body, and soul as one.
lOGOS
Logos is the Greek word for meaning. Logotherapy, developed by Viktor Frankl, suggests that human nature is motivated by the search for a life purpose.
Logotherapy principles and values are used to treat many mental health challenges. Logotherapy promotes an individual to take a different perspective on the present moment to find meaning.
One of the six basic assumptions outlined in Logotherapy is “The human being is an entity that consists of a body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). Frankl argued that body and mind are what we have, but our spirit is what we are, or our essence”.
“I call my horses ‘divine mirrors’—they reflect back the emotions you put in. If you put in love and respect and kindness and curiosity, the horse will return that.” – Allan Hamilton
eNVIRONMENT
The environment represents the last letter in the hUMBLE Therapy acronym but could possibly be the most therapeutically beneficial.
The holistic value of nature can be vastly underappreciated. Being outside bestows a sense of connectedness. Many people overlook the positive impact that the natural environment has on their mental health. Your surroundings can affect the way you think and feel – and regular exposure to nature has been shown to be healthy for the mind, body and soul.
The beauty and serenity of nature create a sense of purpose that you don’t find in busy urban environments and offices. Thus, spending time in nature is one of the most effective ways to reduce everyday stress and mental fatigue. Being in spacious outdoor environments promotes opening your mind to humbling life perspectives. Reconnecting with nature has shown to be beneficial for easing some of the symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.
The very act of being in nature promotes mindfulness, gratitude, and humility. Admiring the peacefulness of nature's chaotic balance can be viewed metaphorically to finding peace of mind.
hUMBLE therapy allows you to clear your mind of unnecessary stress and experience a sense of life balance.
Fundraising
I am raising money to establish a small equine therapy practice and searching for those that recognizes the need for more mental health treatment options and have the resources to advocate for the advancement of the use of horses in mental health counseling.
My name is Koyt Kifer and I’m a licensed professional counselor and certified equine mental health specialist. Over the past 20 years I have been developing a new equine psychotherapy modality called hUMBLE Equine Therapy. I am looking for financial help to establish a small practice that not only provides hUMBLE Equine Therapy counseling, but various other modalities as well.
If you, or someone you know are interested in hearing more about my ideas please contact me here or email me at: koyt@humble-therapy.com
The hUMBLE Equine Therapy GoFundMe link is: https://gofund.me/ce2f8314
Thank you,
Koyt Kifer