FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of a therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, substance abuse, relationship problems, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives. Working with the horses takes psychotherapy to the next treatment level. Horses are amazing teachers, allowing a person to fully experience the shift that is needed to make progress toward a fuller, healthier life. No horsemanship experience is necessary at Brookside Ranch. We work from the ground up, literally - keeping our feet on the ground and working toward building "stable relationships". What is EAP / EAL? The Natural Lifemanship approach to Horsemanship The Natural Lifemanship Way focuses on Relationships. What can I expect in an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy session? My "office" is a five-acre pasture with a herd of 12 equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, and mini-horses). On "bad weather days", we meet under the barn, inside, or virtually. At our initial meeting, we will meet under the oak trees, get to know each other and discuss challenges and treatment goals. We will meet the herd and be curious together regarding which equine you will want to start the "relationship dance". In subsequent meetings, you will deepen your connection with an equine as you "enter into the arena" to rumble with something that is (literally) bigger than you. Just as with "office-based therapy", every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. During therapy sessions it is standard to think about the primary issues and concerns in your life. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts 45-50 minutes. Sometimes individuals who are going through a particularly difficult challenge may request more time per session or more than one session per week or longer sessions than one hour. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. Between sessions it is important process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist (and a horse)? Therapy can provide insight and new perspectives into life's challenges and can help create solutions to difficult problems. Many people find that working with a therapist can enhance personal development, improve relationships and family dynamics, and can ease the challenges of daily life. Sometimes, just having someone there to listen is helpful. Overall, people in therapy tend to have lower levels of anxiety and stress, decreased conflict, and improved quality of life. Equines offer the next level of feedback to relationship and communication styles. As a prey animal, equines are especially sensitive to body energy and will help offer cues to help learn to skills to manage body energy and awareness. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Is therapy confidential? In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
Rates and meetings For individual and family psychotherapy, the first meeting generally last about 1 hour and involves identifying the presenting problem, setting goals, and creating a treatment plan. Follow up meetings are generally weekly, with meetings eventually moving to every 2 weeks, once per month, and then as needed. Length of treatment depends on the presenting issue and progress toward goals. My rate is $200 per hour, both office-based and EAP sessions (with a horse). In special circumstances, I am willing to discuss a negotiated rate. Rates for group events, retreats, and workshops vary. Refer to Schedulicity.com for offerings. Call (713-540-1528) if you have an interest in creating a particular event for your personal group or tribe. Insurance Although I do not accept insurance, I do provide the necessary documentation you may need for reimbursement. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
Payment Cash, check and all major credit cards are accepted for payment. To make a psychotherapy appointment online: TherapyAppointment.com To review a list of classes and register online: Click here |
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