Harnessing the Power of Horses
The Rehab Center Equine Therapy is the only one of its kind licensed for substance abuse in Palm Beach County, Florida. We’re proud of this hands-on program that helps clients process their emotions and get to a better place.
How it works
Horses mirror human feelings, so when people interact with them, they provide immediate feedback through non-verbal cues. With the assistance of a licensed therapist and equine professional, clients are able to use these clues to better understand themselves and their feelings.
Why it works
Horses are extremely sensitive to changes in human behavior. They react based on a person’s emotional state, serving as a biofeedback machine. Anxious clients learn skills to reduce anxiety levels. Clients exhibiting anger discover how to self soothe.
Equine Therapy Facts
- With a stable of 50 horses, there is ample opportunity for a one-on-one experience in both group and individual settings.
- Our equine ranch is near famous Florida beaches.
- Many of our horses have gone through some sort of rehabilitation themselves, including drug detoxification. They’ve also had to learn to live and socially interact with other animals after rehab.
Our Equine Intensive Outpatient Program
The Intensive Outpatient Program consists of three phases:
Phase 1 is focused on the basic skills that are needed to begin a journey of recovery. It is four weeks in length and meets for three hours each week. It is the most intense period of the program and is designed to stabilize your transition into outpatient treatment.
Phase 2 will advance your recovery and equine skills and offer clinical and group support for the transition into a sober life. This phase is usually eight weeks in length but is tailored to the needs of the individual. Therapy sessions meet for one and a half hours, three times a week.
Phase 3 offers continued support as well as the opportunity to give back by coaching some of Phase 1 and Phase 2 equine clients. This phase typically meets for eight weeks, but many clients choose to stay on longer and can consult with their therapist to create an individualized program. Weekly sessions vary from one to three hours in length.
All phases include process groups, individual sessions and equine experiential activities.
And all group sessions take place in comfortable, air-conditioned rooms and are facilitated by master-level therapists. Specialty groups are offered both in a clinical as well as an equine setting.
Individual sessions with your therapist will help you create a personal treatment plan and explore personal struggles. During these sessions, there is a focus on coping skills and techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
In addition, our Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner visits the ranch weekly and all clients will be given a full psych evaluation and have the opportunity for medication management and follow- up. During your equine sessions, you’ll experience the bond between horse and human. The activities will strengthen the desire for recovery as well as offer personal insight into behaviors.
Local housing is available and transportation is provided. There are opportunities for volunteer work for those who are interested.
Our Equine Team
Austin Schaper
MS Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Primary Therapist
Austin obtained a Master of Science degree in counseling psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He is experienced in providing substance abuse treatment services to men, women, and children in a variety of settings, including residential, outpatient, and in-home.
Austin’s approach to therapy is driven by a belief that every individual has intrinsic value and is worthy of respect and help, regardless of his or her status or experiences. He draws from various evidence-based theories and interventions to help clients overcome their addiction and develop the skills necessary for sustaining a meaningful, fulfilling, and sober lifestyle. Utilizing CBT, Motivational Interviewing and REBT, Austin seeks to provide clients with the customized treatment most consistent with their needs and desires.
Jennifer Carter
MS Primary Therapist
Jennifer Carter is a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addictions Counselor in the state of Colorado and has recently relocated to South Florida. Jennifer has extensive education, training and experience in the fields of substance abuse/addictions and group psychotherapy. She is also an SE (Somatic Experiencing) practitioner (SE is a potent psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress).
Since graduating with a Masters in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, Jennifer has achieved much success applying substance abuse/addictions principles and SE with individuals from ages 5 into adulthood who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, divorce or other life changes.
Brad Gaver
MEd
Horse Trainer
Brad is one of the top-ranked and best-known trainers in the country. A former educator, he uses his background to demonstrate, teach and enlighten clients about horses. He considers himself a trainer of both humans and horses helping them communicate and make healing, positive connections.
Pure Thoughts at Turtle Creek Equine Assisted Intention-Based Therapy (EAIBT)
Our Equine Therapy takes place at a wonderful rehabilitation ranch called Pure Thoughts. It provides clients with a clearer understanding of themselves through the Equus language and the use of the horse as their mirror. Participants explore the emotional and spiritual principles that assist them in their personal journeys to integrate coping, recovery and life management into their new lives.
Equine Therapy teaches:
- The power of self-awareness
- The energy of intention
- The use of mindful breathing
- The interference of hidden agendas
- How to clear the mind
- The value of disentanglement by eliminating emotional reactivity
Purpose of the Program:
Non-verbal communication, pure honesty, empathy, intention, mutual trust and selflessness will be learned through carefully structured exercises.
Program Objectives:
- Have a clear understanding of non-verbal communication (language of Equus)
- Learn the three basic instincts of the horse.
- Fear/flight response
- Find a release from pressure
- Herding and herd instinct
- Round pen skills/Free longing (intention, honesty and empathy)
- Longing on a line (self-assuredness)
- Grooming and individual care of the horse (compassion)
- Understanding use of equipment and mannerism of horse (problem-solving)
- Leading and guiding the horse (self-trust and self-awareness)
- Anatomy and physiology of the equine (commitment)
- Teaching a new student what you have learned (selflessness)
- Participating in team-building activities (mutual trust)
Individuals will develop a personal, nonphysical projection as part of the hands-on course included in the sessions. Participants undertake a personalized groundwork exercise in the round pen, arena and facility in partnership with horses. These activities will be aimed at bringing out, developing and applying each person’s own set of spiritually significant parameters.
Concepts enveloping the balance of mindset in the round pen are introduced. The focus is on:
- Learning the power of self-awareness
- The energy of intention
- The use of mindful breathing in communicating with horses
- The interference of hidden agendas
- Learning to clear the mind
- The practice of turning problems upside down
- Learning the value of disentanglement by eliminating emotional reactivity
Sample Session:
“Let go and Trust Me”
(Intermediate)
Goal
The goal of this lesson is for the individual participant to have a clear and honest understanding of how others perceive their communication both verbally and non-verbally. By depleting the individuals of a sense (this case being eyesight), it forces one to be more aware and in tune; bringing a sense of authenticity to their actions. Participants must learn to trust themselves and others, communicate clearly and honestly and use patience to be successful. Each participant’s unique emotions and issues will come to the surface opening topics for discussion.
Description
Two participants, one of whom is blindfolded, work together to successfully navigate an obstacle course with and without a horse.
Round 1
One partner is blindfolded. The other must guide their partner through the obstacle course safely without touching. After successful completion, the partners switch roles.
Trail Walk with Horse in Hand
Each individual chooses their horse and embarks on a trail course while leading the horse in hand. On the course, there are both natural and pre-determined obstacles and items that the individuals will navigate through. During this time, the participants are asked to stop and verbalize what they saw when passing an area. The participant usually is unable to answer the first question, showing that they have not paid attention to their surroundings. Therefore, they will not be able to verbalize to their partner in the next round and navigate through the obstacle. By the end of the course, the participants should be able to correctly verbalize surroundings and landmarks they have seen. During this time, they must maintain the calm nature they have learned, bringing calmness to the horse they are leading.
Round 2
Previous partners’ team back up after the trail walk and decide which animal will be used in the final round. This encourages discussion regarding the horses’ mindset, teamwork and reasoning. While one person is blindfolded and leading a horse, the partner must guide the handler through the obstacle course safely without touching. After successful completion partners switch roles.
Conclusion
The ordinary outcome is for the individual to empathize with their partners’ individual needs to feel safe and trust, be able to communicate clearly in a real-world situation where natural consequences are distinctly apparent. Self-awareness leads to self-actualization. This task forces an individual to be void of their inherent reaction to trusting and instills them to open themselves up to others. This session teaches to trust, entrust and be trustworthy.
Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy Program:
Equines are social animals that have complex relationships within their herd. They have distinct personalities, attitudes and moods. The size and power of the horse can be intimidating to many people, and afford the opportunity to overcome fears. Horses are also divine mirrors, reflecting what human body language and energy levels are telling them. With all these qualities and traits, the animals provide endless opportunities for metaphorical learning.
Equine-facilitated learning programs are not horseback riding programs. Instead, sessions use ground activities with the horses that require the participants to develop or apply skills. Much of the program focuses on non-verbal communication and learning to be completely present in the situation. Participants learn creative thinking and problem-solving while developing assertiveness, leadership, teamwork and relationship skills. The immediate feedback nature of working with horses builds confidence while participants rapidly progress through their goals.
No experience with horses is necessary for participation in these programs. There are no mounted activities. Those with or without horse experience will benefit from these experiences, and both are welcomed and encouraged to participate. These sessions are designed to provide maximal benefit from involvement in the equine-facilitated groundwork. Throughout the course, individuals will have the opportunity to work with sensitively-trained horses under the supervision of skilled equine specialists.
Participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then discussing feelings, behaviors and patterns. This processing component allows clients to truly integrate their experiences with their lives. These sessions are collaborations between trained and professionals working with individuals and horses to achieve specific goals. Sessions are intense and effective, often resulting in breakthroughs much more rapidly than other therapies or learning situations.
Why Is Our Program Different?
Empathy In Learning
We have over 50 horses and 90% of our horses are in rehabilitation and recovery. They are here because at some point their life took a wrong turn and they needed help. The clients understand that this is not only a place of learning but a place of healing and immediately understand empathy for someone or something else. Just as the clients go on a new path, a new beginning with a solid foundation, so does the horse. Each horse used in the EAIBT Program has been personally trained by Bradley Gaver M. Ed.
Skills for Life
Being in the presence of the horses brings about a sense of calmness and focus to the client. They are able to just be “in the moment” and reflect. But we go much further than just the touch. After the program is completed, the client has not only experienced a true and honest relationship with the horse and themselves but they have also developed a life-long skill which they can use forever. Whether they choose to use the experience they have had with the horse directly, the skills, interpersonal and intrapersonal understanding they learn through the EAIBT Program will assist them in their day-to-day reality.
Process Group / Family Meal
At the end of each session, we have a Process Group during which we will review what was learned. This gives the client a chance to speak freely about their experience and understand their goals. Ensuring the clients have grasped all that they should from the session is instrumental to relapse prevention. The Process Group will be as important as every other aspect of our treatment plan. It helps ensure that the client recognizes warning signs which may have been a trigger and have the knowledge to choose an alternative path rather than the previous which led them to substance abuse.
PTTC provides the client with insight and tools to help prevent the return to substance abuse. Clients identify the strengths and weaknesses of their addictive behavior and thus make better decisions with regard to alcohol and drugs. Clients learn that they are not powerless over habitual patterns and reckless decision-making. Clients will develop a personal relapse plan based on what they learn about the process, triggers, coping with stress, lifestyle balance, and the recovery process.
We strongly believe that a good nutritional base will help the client in their recovery. After each session, we will be serving lunch or dinner that is prepared by our chef. This will be a full course sit-down dining experience, where we will discuss the day’s activities, experiences, past experiences and life…a true social engagement and interaction. Not only does it help to nourish the body but the clients learn that they can socially interact, communicate and have a lovely dining experience all while in a sober setting.
THE EAIBT DIFFERENCE
You will see recovery programs and facilities advertise Equine Therapy on their website and through Internet links, but there is a big difference between Equine Therapy and a field trip to look at pretty horses. Don’t be fooled by those using it as a marketing tool. This type of therapy is a hands-on cognitive approach that cannot be done in an office. Unless you can see, touch and feel the facility upon your admission, chances are the actual amount of hands-on Equine Therapy, Team Building, Life Skills and Problem-Solving will be minimal.
Pure Thoughts at Turtle Creek is the epitome of tranquility, located on a 25-acre horse farm, equipped with three barns, a resource center, offices and various other buildings. There are trails, ponds, arenas, jump fields, a meditation grotto, sweat lodge and much more that make this a perfect location for healing, growing and strengthening both mentally and physically. Our Therapists, Educators, Handlers and Founders are some of the tops in their field and specialize in innovative measures for a successful recovery.
