Our Mission:
“Discovery and Connection through Adventures with Horses.”
Our Vision Is Providing:
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Transformational opportunities
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Relationship focused, experiential interventions
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An atmosphere of natural beauty and acceptance
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Mental health professionals, staff, and board committed to:
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Giving out of God’s abundance in their own lives.
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Their own personal, spiritual, and professional growth.
SpringHaven Counseling Center is located in the gently rolling hills of Wayne and Holmes Counties, providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. The SpringHaven Equine Program offers both equine assisted psychotherapy sessions (EAP) and equine assisted learning (EAL) educational opportunities. Sessions are available to individuals, couples, families, and groups.
History:
In November of 2010 the idea was brought forth to offer equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) services at SpringHaven Counseling Center. Initially, the Equine Program conducted sessions in the small aisle of a three-stall barn, and when weather permitted, outdoors. Sessions utilized the Equine Assisted Guided and Learning Association (EAGALA) therapy model.
The effectiveness of EAP became readily apparent and by June of 2011 EAP sessions became a weekly part of our intensive group therapy program. In fall of 2012, the Natural Lifemanship (NL) Trauma Focused-EAP therapy model was introduced and integrated into sessions. An outdoor sand arena was constructed thanks to the generosity of community members.
A continued need for additional facilities led to plans of constructing a new heated indoor arena. A heated indoor arena would enable sessions to take place with minimal weather interference and provide space for program growth. With the help and support of the community, the indoor arena was completed in the fall of 2015. Additional staff, horses, and pastures were added.
In June of 2019 we offered our first summer horse camp. Later that year, therapeutic riding and driving were offered as an EAP treatment option. The Homeschool Program was introduced in March of 2020 and a second camp, beginner riding camp, was offered in July of 2021.
Currently the Equine Program has four staff members and six horses. Equine sessions are held in our outdoor spaces and indoor arena.
Meet Our Herd:
Our herd is comprised of a combination of introverted and extroverted horses of various breeds, ages, and sizes. They all enjoy growing relationships and working with clients in their own unique way. Clients have the opportunity to select the horse that they would like to partner with for individual therapy.
