Equine-Assisted Therapy & Counseling in Michigan
At McCaskill Family Services, we recognize that every individual’s journey to mental health and well-being is unique. That’s why we are dedicated to offering a diverse range of mental health treatment options, including our innovative equine assisted psychotherapy program.
McCaskill Family Services is excited to team up with Honeycomb Equestrian in Howell, Michigan, to offer Equine Therapy in southeast Michigan.
We are committed to helping children, teens, and adults achieve lasting well-being. Through our partnerships and the compassionate guidance of our team, clients engage in equine assisted learning and therapy that promotes physical, emotional, and occupational growth. If you or a loved one are seeking a unique and supportive approach to mental health, we invite you to discover the many benefits of equine assisted psychotherapy and experience the transformative impact it can have on your life.
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAT) is different from therapeutic riding. Much of EAT is conducted from the ground, though riding can be incorporated based on the specific therapeutic need. This form of assisted therapy involves interactions with horses through guided activities, allowing clients to gain direct feedback on their emotions and behaviors. Horses are remarkably sensitive to human emotions and can mirror human feelings, helping clients recognize and change self-defeating negative thoughts and problematic behaviors. This process promotes emotional regulation, improves behavior, and supports occupational growth, all within a non-judgmental and gentle setting.
Our specially trained psychologists and equine therapists work closely with each client to tailor therapy sessions to their specific needs, whether they are coping with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or behavioral issues. The equine assisted services we offer are designed to foster significant improvements in a short amount of time, helping people feel happier, more connected, and empowered in their everyday lives. We believe that everyone deserves access to effective mental health treatment, and our programs are structured to be both accessible and affordable, with options for individual and group therapy. This type of therapy involves interactions between patients and horses in guided activities such as grooming, feeding, leading, mounting, and riding to improve behavior, thought processes, and emotional control.
Many equine-assisted therapy sessions focus on groundwork, and actual riding is not always required. Horses are highly attuned to body language, energy, and emotional cues, making non-verbal communication a key part of the therapeutic process. Each equine-assisted therapy session costs $295.
Equine Assisted Therapy is a treatment that promotes physical, emotional and occupational growth. Organizations like the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) set industry standards for professionals in this field. Equine assisted therapies incorporate activities with horses to enhance both physical and mental health. Equine facilitated psychotherapy is particularly effective for children and teens dealing with trauma, anxiety, and depression,
Equine-Assisted Therapy Groups
8-Week Anxiety and Depression Equine Group for Teens – FRIDAYS Feb 6, 2026 – March 27, 2026 from 4:30 pm – 6 pm
Are you or your teen struggling with sadness, nervousness, or feeling overwhelmed?
It can be difficult to deal with symptoms of depression and anxiety especially when there are so many other stressors going on in a teenager’s daily life. Finding ways to cope and connect can be helpful in managing your teen’s symptoms, and engaging with horses can be a fantastic way to assist their healing journey. Horses are mindful and intuitive animals that are able to provide therapeutic interactions that can aid in the management of your teen’s symptoms. Being around horses provides a unique environment that adds an additional level of healing to traditional therapy. Each member of the group will be paired with their own horse for the full 8 weeks and we will focus on building coping skills and strategies while interacting with horses. This group is open to all genders ages 13-17. Attending individual therapy is not mandatory, but it is encouraged in order to further support your teen in their mental health journey. No horse experience is necessary, and participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Closed-toed shoes are required while in session.
Please contact our office for more information.
8- Week Stress Management Equine Therapy Group for Adults –
FRIDAYS Feb. 6th, 2026 to March 27th, 2026 from 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Are you feeling burned out, constantly on edge, and overwhelmed?
Our stress management therapy group offers a supportive, judgement-free space where you can learn skills to manage your stress as well as build resilience and regain a sense of balance. Combining evidence-based therapeutic techniques with the peaceful presence of horses offers a unique way to manage your stress. Horses naturally create a calming space while being a mirror to our internal worlds that aids in our reflection, growth, and healing. Each member of the group will be paired with their own horse for the duration of the 8 weeks. The group will focus on building stress management skills that incorporates mindfulness while interacting with horses. This group is open to adults who are 18 years or older. No horse experience is mandatory. Participants should wear closed-toes shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
Please contact our office for more information.
What Are the Benefits of Equine Therapy?
Studies have shown that equine therapy has been successful in helping children, teens and adults make significant improvements in a short amount of time in the following areas:
- Confidence
- Self- Esteem
- Assertiveness
- Anger Management
- Social Skills and Communication
- Emotional Awareness
- Empathy
- Stress Management
- Flexibility
- Impulse Control
- Anxiety Management
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Independence
- Improved Mood
- Interpersonal Relationships
Equine-assisted therapy programs are structured to achieve various therapeutic goals.
These goals include mental health treatment, physical therapy, and skill-building, highlighting the positive impacts on self-esteem, emotional regulation, and physical abilities.
Horses are astute at reading human emotions, and people often turn to animals for comfort.
Horses are by nature accepting and non-judgmental. They can mirror human emotions and behavior and will respond to negativity, therefore encouraging the client to be calm, open, gentle, and aware.
Equine therapy addresses mental and physical health goals.
Equine therapy programs involve structured therapeutic activities with horses, guided by professionals to achieve specific mental and physical health goals, addressing emotional or behavioral issues, building self-esteem, and improving physical abilities.
Therapeutic horseback riding, a form of equine therapy, promotes motor learning and essential daily life skills, and is particularly beneficial for individuals with disabilities.
Equine therapy offers opportunities for direct feedback.
While working with horses under the guidance and supervision of an equine therapist, equine therapy patients have a unique and effective opportunity to get direct feedback on their pattern of problematic behaviors, self-defeating negative thoughts, and actions. These insights and skills then translate to everyday life, and people feel happier, more connected, and successful.
History and Development of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) has a rich history that dates back to the 1960s, when therapists first began incorporating horses into their treatment plans. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that EAP started to gain recognition as a distinct and valuable form of therapy.
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International, a non-profit organization, has been instrumental in promoting and standardizing EAP practices. Through their efforts, EAP has evolved into a respected adjunct to traditional talk therapy, offering a unique and experiential approach to mental health treatment. Today, equine-assisted psychotherapy is celebrated for its ability to foster emotional growth, enhance self-awareness, and provide a supportive environment for individuals seeking mental health support.