Animal Assisted Psychotherapy helps clients feel comfortable, open up about problems, and confront barriers to healing. I use the following Animal Assisted Psychotherapy methods in her practice:
Canine Assisted Psychotherapy:
Elisabeth uses Italian Greyhounds as therapy dogs in her sessions. Italian Greyhounds are known for their connectedness to people and for being gentle. Each therapy dog has a unique personality and helps clients open the doors for healing to take place. Research on using dogs during therapy dates back to WWII. Clients love having a dog to visit with during the counseling process and often report feeling safer when doing in person therapy.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy:
Using horses in the counseling process is a relatively new concept in the private practice setting. Horses have been shown to be effective in helping treat trauma and abuse, eating disorders, addictions, anxiety, depression, low sense of self or identity, and relational difficulties. Horses have been an integral part of my life for 30 years. I have seen them facilitate healing in a very powerful way. Not every person has to work with a horse as part of their counseling, however Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an option during the counseling process.