 |
Equestrian CounselingServices
|
|
|
Equestrian CounselingServices
|
|
What does ECS do? Equestrian Counseling Services (ECS) focuses on the prevention and resolution of psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues that face equestrians and their families. Everyone occasionally experiences discord, however, the rigors of horse care, training and competition put an extra burden on equestrians and their families. ECS helps to uncover and work through the issues that are compounded by these unique conditions.
Who benefits from these services? ECS assists children, adolescents, adults, couples, and entire families from all areas of the equestrian community. Clients may be seen individually or in groups, as partial or complete family units.
ECS provides personalized counseling according to the age,
development, unique struggles, needs, strengths, resources, and
life circumstances of each individual. Sessions incorporate
traditional talk therapy, but may also include experiential
techniques including
ECS provides a safe, secure environment that nurtures inner healing and optimal growth. In order to flex with the availability and busy schedules of equestrians and their families, sessions may take place at the stable, on the show grounds, in my office, or in your own home. Equine assisted therapy sessions may be conducted with your own horse or at another location with horses provided.
What is equine assisted therapy?
Equine assisted therapy incorporates horses in the counseling
process.
How much do sessions cost and how many do I need? Sessions are $80/hour. Unfortunately, there is no magic number of sessions that will guarantee the resolution of an emotional, psychological, or behavioral issue. ECS suggests a commitment of at least three sessions before evaluating progress or results. Some problems resolve quickly while others take weeks of work and perseverance. Sometimes just starting the process can cause a shift. Meeting once or twice a week usually allows sufficient time for processing between sessions, however in urgent or crisis situations, more frequent sessions may be needed.
Signs of progress often manifest as increasing awareness of the various ways in which one is "stuck." In the first few sessions, one may begin to recognize self-defeating patterns or habits of thinking, feeling and behaving without necessarily being able to change them immediately. Later, after discussing the causes and effects of these habits, the individual is able to make changes and let go of old patterns. As this self-actualization process deepens, one begins to feel more natural, spontaneous and at ease in all areas of life. Genuine emotions come more freely and relationships deepen. Old patterns of worrying and obsessing become much less disruptive. There are, however, likely to be difficult sessions. It is not uncommon for clients to experience occasional increased confusion or anxiety, and at times even become angry with, resentful toward, or distrustful of the therapist. Ironically, even though these sessions may be difficult, they can also be the most encouraging signs of progress and change.
|
The equestrian world presents many challenges. ECS provides counseling services that are designed to address:
|
|
Lisa Baugh, MA, LMFT Lisa Baugh is a FL licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. She uses traditional counseling as well as experiential techniques such as equine assisted therapy to help individuals and families reach their full potential. Though she works with individuals and families from a wide variety of lifestyles and backgrounds, she has a special affinity for “horse people” and a unique understanding of their worldviews. Her life-long equestrian background makes her sensitive to the specific influences and nuances of the horse community. |
|
|
Equestrian Counseling Services |
|
