Adventure Based Counseling

The youth at Holston Home not only have Adventure Based Counseling built into their weekly school schedule but take part in private Eagala sessions after school and on the weekend.

ABC staff are thoroughly trained and certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, Eagala, to provide Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for our youth. At the forefront of experiential therapy, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy uses a team of three to provide private or group sessions. The team consists of a mental health professional, an equine specialist, and at least one horse working with the participant(s). Any of our youth and families can take part in an Eagala session. Participants will find themselves on the ground in an open space, having new learning and healing experiences as the horses provide honest feedback to the verbal and non-verbal cues from the participant. During an Eagala session, the horse is free to respond naturally to the environment, and in doing this, the horse often mirrors what is happening in the life of a participant. Interacting with horses in this way provides an opportunity for the participant to create significant connections between the session and their personal life.

Our barn and property houses 10 horses, 5 sheep, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, each animal with its own unique personality. The use of animals in therapy provides our youth with the opportunity to build relationships, trust, and empathy. Often youth will regain their ability to build trust through creating relationships with the animals at the barn.