Equine Therapy: Hands-On, Certified, Profound Experiences

Person grooming a horse outdoors on a sunny day.

hands on

certified

Equine psychotherapy is a somatic and experiential form of therapy that invites you to feel through emotions, instead of just thinking through emotions. We move slower, breathe deeper, and listen like never before.

Sunset over a rural landscape with a fence stretching into the distance.

certified

Sessions are always high-quality, safe, and professional. My therapy license includes multiple equine therapy certifications, and I strive to provide you with an outstanding equine therapy experience from start to finish.

A white horse stands closely in front of a black horse in a misty forest.

profound

certified

profound

A horse's nervous system is highly tuned for connection and safety, allowing them to perceive our deepest, often hidden, emotional worlds. They notice and mirror the emotions we carry, giving us a clear reflection of what's happening inside ourselves.

UPCOMING EQUINE THERAPY EXPERIENCES

Three horses grazing on grass with two smiling women nearby.

RETREATS

Thoughtfully organized throughout each year, these therapeutic retreats offer a heartfelt, deeper look at your emotions in an outdoor setting with horses, guided by me as your licensed equine psychotherapist. This experience is a great fit for those ready to go deeper, who need a reset, and who are prepared to knock on the gates of their heart and seek answers.

learn more

Person in a cowboy hat points towards a horse in a dry, rural landscape.

virtual equine learning course

I created this course, Back to the Basics, as a fresh way to access the foundations for wholeness through an equine experience, right in your home. This course includes cinematically filmed videos of a live herd, music specifically attuned to healing frequencies, a corresponding workbook, and insight around core themes in your life.

Join the waitlist

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach me at amy@startgroundwork.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What happens during equine therapy?

This Equine Therapy is a fully on‑the‑ground experience, and there’s no riding involved or horse experience required.

It’s a lot like art therapy, but instead of working with paint or clay, you’re working with the presence and behavior of horses. We learn to be in relationship with the herd, noticing patterns and themes, and together we explore the ways horses naturally mirror our truest emotions.

Immediately you’ll come to know each one, almost like meeting characters in a story, and they will slowly begin to reflect your own internal social and emotional map.

As you follow the herd, live or virtually, you’ll start to see how their interactions highlight themes that weave together in your own life, offering powerful insight and fresh reflection.

Is it safe?

We always move at a pace that feels safe for you, meeting you exactly where you are. Whether we’re working in person or virtually, your physical and emotional safety comes first. There’s no riding involved, and we have many gentle, creative ways to help you explore your edge - strengthening your ability to do hard things while still feeling supported and held. You’ll always know what’s happening and why, and the work stays clear and manageable every step of the way.

How do I sign up?

You can get started in whatever way feels easiest: email me, give me a text or call, or simply fill out the contact form on the website. We offer in‑person equine therapy retreats throughout the year, and our virtual equine learning program is launching soon. Reach out anytime, and I’ll help you find the option that fits you best.

I am so grateful to have grown up with horses my entire life. Early on, I began to notice how they could sense my emotions, sometimes even before I could. It was like I had discovered a secret language, all about emotions, that existed between horses and humans. Best of all, it was a language that I could learn to speak!

I believe we are only at the beginning of understanding how our emotions are expressed in both nonverbal and verbal language. When we can recognize what we carry, and how we portray it, the closer we get to connecting with ourselves and those around us in meaningful ways.

The bond with horses that I discovered as a child has only strengthened in my adulthood. Many others now also recognize just how much horses understand and respond to emotions, and there are numerous ways we can learn from horses to reconnect us to what matters most, particularly through equine psychotherapy.

Because of this, I have passionately pursued equine therapy certifications, which complement my existing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credentials.

To be honest, this work is so embedded in my being that whether we are in the office or out in the fields, you will receive equine-inspired wisdom. It's simply impossible to separate this from who I am, and in many ways, my identity as a therapist has been shaped by experiences with the herd. I am honored to engage in this work, and am forever changed by the horses and humans in my life.

EQUINE THERAPY: HANDS-ON, CERTIFIED, PROFOUND

hands on

certified

certified

certified

certified

certified

profound

certified

profound

UPCOMING EQUINE THERAPY EXPERIENCES

RETREATS

virtual equine learning course

Frequently Asked Questions

about me

IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU!

Amy nava lmft #118631

EQUINE THERAPY: HANDS-ON, CERTIFIED, PROFOUND

hands on

certified

certified

certified

certified

certified

profound

certified

profound

UPCOMING EQUINE THERAPY EXPERIENCES

RETREATS

virtual equine learning course

Frequently Asked Questions

about me

IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU!

Amy nava lmft #118631

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