Covering Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes and Surrounding Areas
Services
01.
Working from an Integrative background means drawing on a number of different approaches to ensure you are supported in a way that is individual for you. The foundation of my training comes from a CBT, Psychodynamic and Person Centred theory base which enables us to work in a number of different ways to help process what you are experiencing. Sometimes I may introduce the use of art and creativity in our sessions which can act as a great vehicle to help express what is not yet able to be said verbally. Room based sessions run for 50 minutes.
02.
Horses, a natural prey animal have a strong instigative emotional sense which is communicated with their herd and is imperative for their survival. A horse that senses another horses' fear will respond to the fear too and make a reaction to get away. When human and horse come together, the horse will naturally tune into what the person is feeling and respond from his survival state. If, for example a person who is showing anger approaches a horse, the horse may well back away and avoid that person much like how a person may respond to another person who is unpredictable and aggressive. Horses for this reason can be an emotional mirror to us and can prove invaluable in helping people identify their authentic feelings and make sense of them. Horses live in the moment, respond to what is being communicated non verbally and never lie. Working with horses in this way allows for the client to explore what is normally hidden or unresolved, to identify feelings and allows room for positive change in their lives and in their relationships. The sessions all take place on the ground in the presence of the horse and there is usually no riding, however, a package is available which can include a riding lesson with a qualified instructor after the therapy session. I work using the LEAP model which is approved by the BACP. More information on EFP can be found in my Useful Articles page. EFP sessions run for 90 minutes.
03.
Counselling outdoors brings a very different approach to traditional counselling work. Working in the great outdoors stimulates our senses and thus allows us to come out of the focus of our busy minds and into the present. I have found that this alternative approach to counselling allows for more awareness and offers more opportunity to reflect on responses to different environments and situations that we would not have access to in a counselling room. Walk and Talk Therapy begins outdoors but there will be an option to sit alone if we feel it is needed. My loyal campervan will always be attending outdoor sessions with me and will offer a warm and safe space at any point during our time together. These sessions last for 50 minutes.
04.
Online and telephone counselling can be hugely beneficial to those who may find talking face to face uncomfortable or those who simply feel more at ease in their own environment at home. Online counselling has been shown to be more effective for children and teenagers engaging in therapy because the use of technology has become a natural part of their communication. Much like face to face counselling, I use an Integrative approach to this work and the sessions last for 50 minutes.
05.
Schools & Provisions
Your Shoes, My Hooves offers Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy to schools and provisions. These 6 - 12 week programmes facilitate up to six students per group and run for 2.5 hours a week. Whilst working outdoors and alongside the horses, the students are invited to participate in exercises. EFP is designed to help individuals process their emotions and obtain the skills needed to feel better equipped to manage the difficulties they are experiencing. Sessions are designed to help reach young people struggling with:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Behavioural Difficulties
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Major life changing events including family breakdown and loss
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Self Harm
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Bullying
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy promotes:
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Social Skills
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Self Awareness
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Communication
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Improved concentration
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Improved management and understanding of emotional responses
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Healthier relationships
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Improvement in educational engagement
For more information about the benefits of EFP please see the tab above. If you are a school interested in enrolling a student onto one of our programmes, please make contact for more information.