Throughout America, including deep in the heart of Texas, individuals struggle daily with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The toll of addiction on individuals, families, and communities is severe. There are many evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches used by behavioral health treatment centers to break the cycle of addiction. One of these many approaches is equine assisted therapy.
The Arbor offers comprehensive residential and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, including equine therapy near Houston, TX. Call 844.413.2690 today to learn more about our programs and services.
What Is Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine assisted therapy is a form of experiential therapy that involves working with horses to address behavioral health issues. This therapeutic approach has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness in treating addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions.
How Does Equine Assisted Therapy Work?
Equine assisted therapy typically involves working with a licensed therapist or mental health professional trained in this specific modality. The therapist will guide the individual through various activities involving horses, such as grooming, feeding, and leading them through obstacles.
The focus of these activities is not on horsemanship but rather on the individual’s emotional and behavioral responses to the horse. Horses are incredibly perceptive animals and can sense emotions, making them great partners for individuals in therapy.
Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine assisted therapy offers a range of benefits for individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved communication skills
- Enhanced emotional regulation
- Decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Stress reduction
- Building trust and empathy
- Developing problem-solving skills
Additionally, working with horses allows individuals to experience a sense of connection and purpose, which can be healing for those struggling with addiction. The bond formed between the individual and the horse can also help them build healthier relationships with others.
Equine Assisted Therapy at The Arbor near Houston
At The Arbor, we believe in a holistic approach to treating addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. We understand that each person’s journey to recovery is unique, and equine assisted therapy allows us to cater to each individual’s specific needs. Our licensed therapists have years of experience working with horses and are trained in this modality specifically for behavioral health treatment.
Our beautiful Texas campus offers welcoming accommodations, comfortable treatment spaces, and acres of campus for experiential therapies, such as equine assisted therapy, yoga, and disc golf.
The Arbor offers a variety of treatment programs to meet the individual recovery needs of each client. These include the following:
- Residential treatment program
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Sober living program
- Relapse prevention
- Men’s treatment program
- Women’s treatment program
- Family program
- Alumni program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
The compassionate and professional staff of The Arbor understands the complexity of addiction and its effect on Americans and Texas residents in particular. The Kaiser Family Foundation1 reports that “drug overdose death rates have increased in Texas from 10.1 per 100,000 in 2011 to 16.8 per 100,000 in 2021. Over the same period, drug overdose death rates increased from 13.2 to 32.4 per 100,000 in the U.S.”
Contact The Arbor Today
Finding the right combination of therapies to break the cycle of addiction is our mission, and equine assisted therapy is one of many approaches available. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, The Arbor offers residential and outpatient treatment options in addition to aftercare programs and support.
Contact The Arbor online or call 844.413.2690 to get started on the path toward recovery, a life of sobriety, and enhanced well-being.
Footnotes
1Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) – “Mental Health and Substance Use State Fact Sheets: Texas”