Services

Providing Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy: In-Person and Telehealth Services

therapy services for hope and healing

Equine-Assisted Therapies

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a therapeutic approach that involves interactions between clients and horses to address emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges. It is facilitated by a licensed mental health professional and an equine specialist. EAP is experiential, meaning clients engage in activities such as grooming, leading, or interacting with horses, which can reveal patterns of behavior, emotions, and thought processes.

Horses are particularly effective in therapy because of their sensitivity to human emotions and nonverbal communication. They provide immediate feedback, helping clients gain insight into their feelings, improve self-awareness, and develop coping strategies. EAP is commonly used to help individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and relationship issues. It is also effective in improving communication, trust, and self-confidence.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EAP often focuses on activities and reflections in the moment, offering a unique and impactful therapeutic experience.

Therapeutic horsemanship refers to the use of horse-related activities to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being in individuals with diverse needs. It is a broad term that encompasses various equine-assisted activities and therapies, such as groundwork and horse care, often adapted to the abilities and goals of participants (including those with individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, or developmental delays).

These activities can enhance emotional growth, confidence, and social skills. Therapeutic horsemanship sessions are led by licensed therapists. The focus is on creating a positive, empowering experience through the bond with the horse, making it a valuable tool for personal growth and rehabilitation.

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR involves recalling traumatic memories while simultaneously focusing on bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones.

The therapy aims to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, reframe negative beliefs, and promote adaptive thinking. EMDR is based on the idea that trauma can disrupt the brain's natural information processing, and bilateral stimulation helps reprocess these memories, integrating them into a more balanced perspective.

EMDR is widely used to treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, phobias, and other emotional difficulties. It is effective in both short-term and long-term therapy and is recognized as a highly effective treatment for trauma by organizations like the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization.

Military & First Responder Services

Military and first responder therapy is specialized counseling designed to address the unique mental health challenges faced by military personnel, veterans, and first responders (e.g., police, firefighters, EMTs). These individuals often experience high levels of stress, trauma, and exposure to critical incidents in their line of duty.

Key aspects include:

Trauma Treatment: Addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress, or cumulative trauma.
Emotional Support: Managing anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
Coping Skills: Building resilience and tools for dealing with high-stress situations.
Peer-Sensitive Approach: Therapists often have training or experience in the culture and demands of these professions to foster understanding and trust.
Family Involvement: Supporting relationships impacted by the demands of service.

Therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and group counseling are commonly used. The goal is to help individuals process their experiences, improve mental well-being, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Trauma informed therapy

Trauma-informed therapy is an approach to counseling that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and emphasizes creating a safe, supportive environment for healing. It focuses on understanding the effects of trauma on an individual’s emotions, behaviors, and relationships, and integrates this awareness into every aspect of treatment.

Key principles include:

Safety: Ensuring clients feel physically and emotionally secure.
Trust and Transparency: Building honest and reliable therapeutic relationships.
Empowerment: Helping clients regain control and build resilience.
Cultural Sensitivity: Acknowledging and respecting the client’s background and identity.

Trauma-informed therapy avoids re-traumatization by being sensitive to triggers and emphasizing collaboration. It can be applied across various therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic therapies. This approach is commonly used for clients dealing with PTSD, abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences, focusing on promoting recovery, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.

Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps partners improve their relationship by addressing conflicts, enhancing communication, and strengthening emotional connections. It provides a safe space for both individuals to express their thoughts and feelings while working toward mutual understanding and resolution.

Key elements include:

Improving Communication: Teaching active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution skills.
Addressing Issues: Exploring problems like trust, infidelity, intimacy, or life stressors.
Rebuilding Connection: Fostering emotional intimacy and shared goals.
Identifying Patterns: Understanding unhealthy dynamics and creating healthier interactions.

Couples therapy is led by a trained therapist and can be beneficial for all stages of a relationship, whether addressing current challenges or strengthening the bond for the future. The ultimate goal is to foster a healthier, more fulfilling partnership.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that strengthens the parent-child relationship and improves behavior in young children (typically ages 2-7) with emotional or behavioral challenges. The therapy combines play-based interactions with direct coaching for parents or caregivers.

PCIT consists of two main phases:

Child-Directed Interaction (CDI): Parents learn to enhance the parent-child bond by using positive attention, praise, and effective communication during play, fostering trust and reducing negative behaviors.
Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI): Parents are coached in setting clear limits, providing consistent discipline, and managing challenging behaviors using effective techniques.

A therapist observes interactions (in person or via remote technology) and provides live coaching to the parent using a wireless earpiece. PCIT has been shown to improve child behavior, enhance parenting skills, and reduce stress in both children and caregivers, making it effective for families dealing with issues like ADHD, defiance, or emotional regulation difficulties.

FAMILY ThErapy

Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships within a family unit. It views the family as an interconnected system where individual issues often affect the group as a whole.

Key elements of family therapy include:

Identifying Patterns: Understanding dynamics, roles, and patterns that may contribute to challenges.
Improving Communication: Teaching active listening and conflict resolution skills.
Problem Solving: Addressing specific issues like parenting struggles, mental health concerns, or life transitions.
Promoting Support: Encouraging understanding and empathy among family members.

Family therapy can involve the entire family or only those willing to participate, and it is used to address issues such as marital problems, behavioral challenges, addiction, mental illness, or grief. It is often short-term and guided by a licensed therapist trained in family systems. The goal is to create healthier relationships and improve the well-being of the family as a whole.

Play Therapy

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play to help children explore emotions, resolve conflicts, and improve behavior in a developmentally appropriate way. It is based on the understanding that play is a natural form of communication for children, allowing them to express thoughts and feelings they may not yet have the words for.

Key aspects of play therapy include:

Creative Expression: Using toys, art, games, or storytelling to facilitate self-expression.
Emotional Processing: Helping children understand and manage difficult emotions like anger, fear, or sadness.
Problem-Solving: Addressing behavioral issues, trauma, or social difficulties in a supportive setting.
Safe Environment: Creating a nonjudgmental space where children feel secure and empowered.

Play therapy is often used to treat anxiety, trauma, grief, ADHD, and social challenges. It is typically facilitated by trained therapists and can involve parents or caregivers to strengthen family dynamics. The goal is to support emotional growth and resilience in a way that feels natural to the child.