Do you provide therapy?
While we do not provide therapy, the process in itself can be therapeutic. The alliance between facilitator, horses, and client produces a thought-provoking, creative, and spiritual process that inspires the client to maximize their personal potential. It is designed to facilitate self-discovery, expansion of thought processes, identification of limiting beliefs and behaviors, and the creation, development, and achievement of personal goals. The focus of our time is not on the past, but the present and future. Furthermore, we believe that each individual already possesses the attributes needed to self-actualize; it is simply a facilitator's job to help guide them.
What kinds of things can you help with?
We can help with a lot of different things, including
Mood regulation
Personal and professional development
Self-reflection
Physical health management
Emotional exploration
Thought processing
Relationship building
Faith deepening
Work-life balance
Holding space and quiet introspection
Self-esteem and self-confidence
Personal empowerment
Adaptation
Motivation
And much more!
Additionally, you don't need to have any "problems" to come in for a session; simply wanting to experience being with the horses and find respite is the only requirement.
What can I expect from a session?
For the initial session, we will first sit down and go over some paperwork, including our policies, safety measures, and what your goals are. After that we will spend some time meeting and getting to know the horses. Beyond that, it's completely up to you. At Cedarbrae, your wellness, wants, and needs are dictated by YOU. We believe that the first step to personal development and empowerment is authentic autonomy- that is, allowing yourself to truly be yourself. So come on in and have a seat, or not! Brush a horse, walk the pasture, clean a stall, have a cup of coffee and a chat; the choice is yours. No matter how you choose to go about it, we are dedicated to helping you find whatever is you may need. Sessions are typically an hour long, and most clients come once a week, while others come every other week or even just once a month; in each session, we typically will check in and then help you decide what you'd like to do with your time.​​
Can we ride the horses?
All of our activities are what the horse community calls "groundwork;" this is the most important foundational work you can do in order to establish a trusting relationship with a horse. Some examples of groundwork activities include grooming, leading, obstacle courses, trail walks, and just "being."
How much does it cost?
Our initial session, which allows clients to complete paperwork and check things out, is free. Each subsequent individual session costs $50. We believe that mental health support services should be accessible, transparent, and as affordable as possible. As a nonprofit organization, we utilize funding from our donors to help cover operating costs, so that we can offer our clients a sliding fee scale, which may partially or even fully cover session costs, for those who qualify.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! Bring a friend, bring your spouse, bring your child. It does not cost any extra. We only ask that we limit individual sessions to two people, and that all participants sign a waiver and review safety measures beforehand. If you are interested in a family or small group session, please reach out!