Writings from a Virginia Therapist who loves horses and helping.
Blog
How Past Trauma Shapes Attachment (and Why You’re Not “Bad at Relationships”)
Most people don’t show up to therapy saying, “I’d like to discuss my attachment style.” They come in saying things like: “I don’t know why I shut down when people get close.” “I care deeply, but I panic when I feel distance.” “I keep repeating the same patterns, and I...
Why Time With a Horse Can Be Powerful for Mental Health (And How to Make the Most of It)
TL; DR Spending time with horses can significantly benefit mental health by fostering a sense of calm, connection, and safety. Horses, being highly sensitive animals, respond to our emotional states, helping individuals with anxiety, depression, and stress reconnect...
Can Equine Therapy Help You Build Deeper Connections—With Yourself & Others?
TL; DR Equine therapy can enhance your connections with yourself and others by fostering compassion and trust. As our sense of connection shifts, it's essential to nurture these relationships. Equine-assisted therapy focuses on building a bond with horses. In turn,...
Perfectionism and Riding: Guidance From an Equine Therapist in Virginia
TL; DR It's important to embrace progress over perfection in horse riding to enhance your experience and reduce stress. Perfection is unattainable, and focusing on small victories, like improved communication with your horse, can boost confidence. Cultivate...
How Can EMDR Therapy Help Performance Anxiety? An Equine Therapist’s Insight
TL; DR Performance anxiety isn’t just about nerves. It often stems from unprocessed memories linked to past experiences. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy can help by reprocessing these emotional memories, allowing individuals to overcome...
When the New Year Makes Depression Louder: Rethinking Resolutions and New Starts
There is a particular kind of heaviness that shows up in January. It doesn’t always arrive on January 1st. Sometimes it sneaks in a few weeks later—when the excitement fades, routines slip, and the quiet voice of self-judgment starts whispering things like: *Why can’t...