How Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Supports Addiction and Mental Health Recovery

Therapy Beyond The Center Walls

At Dilworth Center, healing sometimes comes on four legs. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy has become a powerful part of the center’s intensive outpatient program, offering patients a chance to work through addiction and mental health challenges in a way that’s anything but traditional. Instead of sitting in a clinical setting, patients step into a quiet pasture—where the presence of a horse becomes part of the therapy. “The horse didn’t judge me. It just reacted to how I showed up,” one patient shared. “That made me see myself in a way I never had before,” she went on to say. Through guided interactions, patients build trust, empathy, and resilience—core ingredients for lasting recovery. For many, these moments of connection offer breakthroughs that talking alone cannot reach.

Discovery Through Connection

A patient named Ashley describes her first-hand experience with equine-assisted therapy and explained, “At first, I was shocked to be that close to such a large animal. Our meditation and grounding helped me settle before going in to greet the horses, and grooming the horses was calming and relaxing.”  She further explains, “We were asked to imagine the horse corral as an AA meeting I was walking into for the first time, and to interact with different horses to find who I was comfortable with.”  Ashley adds that she learned about setting boundaries in her life with direction from the counselors to lead her horse and “to be intentional, firm, and look where I was going.” She sums up her experience by saying, It was a whole other world being outside and relating to animals instead of humans. I learned I could trust and be vulnerable.”

Creating Space For Growth

Another patient comments, “This experience meant a lot to me. It was really different from the therapy I am used to. It felt amazing. I felt really calm, cool and collected after.”  The presence of horses can create a calming and non-judgmental environment, which can help individuals feel more comfortable opening up and exploring their emotions. Many people find that the bond formed with a horse during therapy can be incredibly therapeutic and empowering.  A participating family member shares, “This was amazing how effectively this type of therapy demonstrated things about myself (strengths and downfalls) and how I can change these. I feel so motivated to be more decisive and assertive in my relationships and goals for my life. I am shocked how this worked.”

Unlocking A New Approach To Therapy

Our partnership with the ABC Board of Mecklenburg County, has allowed Dilworth Center to effectively integrate equine-assisted psychotherapy into our clinical approach to treating addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. The successes and benefits of Dilworth Center’s programming have been significantly enhanced with this innovative addition to our ongoing treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

-Peter Hirsch, Counselor