1) Contact Windstone Counseling, LLC one of three ways:
- Email: rachel@windstonecounseling.com
- Call: (385) 325-0533
- Send an inquiry on the contact us form
2) Create a new user account on the client portal and complete the required electronic intake forms. For additional information about practice policies, agreements, and treatment consent forms, please refer to the below documents:
3) Schedule an appointment for the initial assessment at a time that is convenient for you.
The first session will be spent getting to know one another, reviewing intake documentation, discussing your treatment needs, and creating a collaborative treatment plan with individualized objectives.
t is recommended that at the beginning of treatment, sessions are held weekly. As clients demonstrate progress as outlined in their treatment plan, sessions can gradually taper down to biweekly, monthly, and then on an as-needed basis. To accommodate the client’s needs and inclement weather conditions, sessions can also be held virtually using the telehealth platform
Every session is different based on the needs of the client but carefully planned and individualized depending on the learning objective for that session. Following the completion of the therapeutic activity with the horse(s), the team debriefs the client about what happened throughout their interaction with the horse(s) and processes through applicable symbolic/metaphoric lessons.
- Low Self-Esteem
- Anxiety
- Attachment
- Attention Difficulties
- Behavioral Issues
- Body Image
- Communication Deficits
- Depression
- Self-Esteem
- Trauma
Please refer to our services link for an outline of our fees.
Payment is due at the time services are rendered. We accept all major credit cards, HSA, flex, checks, and cash. We can provide third-party billing (e.g., benefactor, church, or other organizational assistance programs); however, this arrangement must be made in advance and a signed contract between the three parties must be on file. Ultimately, the client remains responsible for any unpaid balance.
Equine-assisted psychotherapy is not covered by most medical insurance carriers so sessions are private pay only. For telehealth sessions, we accept and can bill most major insurance companies. Please inquire directly with any questions about coverage. If we do not accept your insurance, we will provide you with a superbill which is a detailed, itemized receipt with insurance codes for the services you received. It is recommended that you check with your insurance company directly before receiving services to verify what your policy specifically covers and if you are eligible for partial or complete reimbursement to you for out-of-network services.
A 24-hour notice is required before your scheduled session to cancel or reschedule. If a cancellation or rescheduling request is made with less than 24 hours’ notice of your session, you will be billed the full amount for that session.
While every attempt will be made to hold all scheduled sessions, it may be necessary to reschedule if the weather proves unsuitable to maintain therapeutic benefit. All clients will be informed with as much advanced notice as possible and clients will not be charged a rescheduling fee.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a unique hands on and brief solution-oriented approach to treatment wherein clients of all ages address behavioral, emotional, spiritual, and relational issues using horses as an intervention tool to elicit change and gain deeper self-awareness. As opposed to talk therapy, EAP is an experiential therapy — you learn by doing. Under the guidance of a licensed mental health practitioner specifically trained in this modality, clients are given an opportunity to symbolically and metaphorically externalize their problems and work on finding solutions by engaging in specific learning objectives with horses.
Like humans, horses are social animals with defined roles within their herd. They are constantly looking for ways to form bonds and relationships as a means for survival. Horses are also regarded as a divine mirror, reflecting what they experience within their environment. This natural form of feedback supplies clients with rich opportunities to practice nonverbal communication, and calming skills, and build a relationship based upon mutual trust and respect. Furthermore, horses also have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods; therefore, an approach that works with one horse won’t necessarily work with another.
Additionally, horses are prey animals and humans are predators. Prey animals lives instinctively depend on reading the intention of predators, and their innate nature means they pick up on the subtle reactions and body language of others. Naturally intimidating to many, horses are large and powerful. This creates an authentic opportunity for some to persevere despite fear, develop confidence, and enhance one’s sense of hope. Working alongside a horse within this dynamic provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life. Horses require us to work, whether in caring for them or working with them. In an era when immediate gratification and the easy way are the norm, horses require people to be engaged in physical and mental work to be successful — a valuable lesson in all aspects of life. (EAGALA, 2017)
While the use of animals in treatment has been practiced for centuries, empirically supported research demonstrating the benefits of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is relatively new. Anecdotal evidence and case studies document many benefits including: increased confidence, distress tolerance, trust, empathy, problem-solving skills, self-awareness, mental flexibility, improved life satisfaction, impulse control, communication, emotion regulation, coping, enhanced creative thinking, and deeper relationships.
No. Practitioners are certified through EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, Inc.) to provide Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. The EAGALA treatment model restricts riding; rather, it promotes interacting with the horses from the ground. If you are interested in taking riding lessons, you may contact instructors at a facility of your liking.
The therapeutic dynamic used within EAGALA’s treatment model is called groundwork; meaning, interactions with the horses are done without being mounted on top of the horses. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is a solution-oriented brief therapy wherein problems faced outside of the session can be symbolically and metaphorically externalized onto or with the horse(s). As outlined in the treatment plan, the client will be given various activities and props to use with the horse(s) for each learning objective. Together with your therapist, interactions with the horse(s) are examined and the client can experientially problem-solve by practicing adaptive intra and interpersonal solutions both in and out of the arena.
Not exactly; however, horses are chosen to participate in sessions based on their therapeutic demeanor and who consistently demonstrate safe interactions with people and other horses.
Clients are given specific learning objectives and will have equipment and props available to them to perform various tasks. Examples of equipment may include: cones, hula-hoops, halter, lead rope, grooming supplies, buckets, poles, blanket, swim noodles, balls, etc.
No previous experience or horsemanship skills are required to work alongside the horses. You will be taught skills and given tasks with the horses within the scope that maintains your physical and emotional safety.
For your protection, it is required that you wear closed-toe shoes. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes appropriate to weather conditions that are machine washable as it is highly likely that you will get a little dirty. We also suggest you bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray in the summer months. Layers, hats, and gloves are strongly encouraged during winter months.
Practitioners make every effort to maximize the safety of our clients, personnel, and horses. We require closed toe shoes and helmets are available upon request. The licensed mental health professional is specially trained to read and respond to equine behavior in an effort to safeguard client interactions with the horse(s), and is also specifically trained and certified in first aid by the American Red Cross. However, despite all the specialized training, horses are still animals and can be unpredictable.
We work with minors as young as 12 years of age.
Yes. There may be times when parents will be invited to participate in the session, while other times they may observe from a distance; however, all parents are required to remain onsite for all children under 16 years of age.
The No Surprises Billing Act went into effect on January 1, 2022. This federal law (26 U.S. Code § 9816) protects people covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive most emergency services, non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and services from out-of-network air ambulance service providers. It essentially requires medical and mental health practitioners to provide you with a good faith estimate of the cost of your care up front, before your visit.
