Opening Gates, Inc. provides outpatient mental health counseling to individual, families and groups. Other services offered at Opening Gates, Inc. are corporate trainings and staff retreats.
Staff members are certified by EAGALA engaging in Equine Assisted counceling (EAP) and Equine assisted Learning (EAL). Our program utilizes horses in a private setting with a licensed mental health counselor, an equine specialist and horses.
It is difficult for some individuals to feel comfortable in the traditional therapy office setting. EAP and EAL is experiential in nature, meaning individuals learn about themselves, and others, by engaging in activities with the horses. As with traditional counseling, processing does occur at the end of each session, allowing for exploration of feelings and behaviors. EAP and EAL utilize horses as the tool for emotional growth and learning.
We do not teach horseback riding or engage in mounted work, rather, therapeutic interventions involve setting up ground activities which utilize horses in efforts to require the client or group to apply certain skills; such as non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking, problem solving, leadership, teamwork, talking responsibility and relationship skills.
A variety of mental health and human development needs are addressed with EAP and EAL. These needs include, but are not limited to, relationship problems, depression, anger, abuse issues, self-esteem, and behavior issues.
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Also, specific workshops can be designed for your company or group to experience an effective team building workshop.
Therapists in private practice are encouraged to partner with our staff and co-facilitate sessions with their clients, Previous experience with horses is not required.
In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stomp of a hoof, a friendly snicker. Gentle eyes inquire, How was your day old friend? and suddenly all your troubles fade away.
Anonymous
Why Horses?
Horses have a unique ability to connect with people. Each horse has a distinct personality and reacts to our feelings and emotions. If we become agitated, horses become anxious and distant. If we are sad, they move close as if to reassure us. Horses are honest, they do not judge us or have pre-conceived ideas about us. The lessons horses can teach us about ourselves are limitless.
Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls - they give us hope!
Toni Robinson
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Meet the team
Shara Wiesenauer, LMHC
- Therapist
Shara is a licensed mental health counselor and EAGALA certified as a therapist, as well as, horse specialist. Shara has many years of counseling in residential, and outpatient services. She has worked with at-risk youth in the community for the past several years and will continue to do this at Opening Gates, Inc. Shara also has 30+ years experience with horses.
Carole Wilson
- Horse Specialist
Carole is an experienced horse professional with 50+ years of horse experience. She is an EAGALA certified horse specialist bringing a wealth of knowledge to the Opening Gates, Inc. team.
Horses-
Various horses are used a a "co-facilitator" in each session and provide non-verbal communication and honest feedback. Horses are the main part of the therapeutic team.
The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man. Winston Churchill
Located at:
Hunters Brook Farm, LLC
5006 Charlestown Pike
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: 502-523-3360
www.openinggatestherapy.org
Email: Opening Gates Therapy
501 (c) (3) non-profit
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