Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during a session?
I am afraid of horses.  Can I still benefit from this type of therapy?
How many sessions should you expect?
What are the prices?
What type of payment is accepted at Unbridled Change? Do you accept insurance?
Does Unbridled Change operate all year-round? What happens during bad weather?
What if I'm allergic to horses?
What should I wear?
What documentation is required for a referral?
What kind of client is appropriate for Unbridled Change?
What kind of client is not appropriate for Unbridled Change?
How does Unbridled Change work with clients in an inpatient/residential facility or in a group home?
What kind of special training does the Unbridled Change staff have?

(Te below questions and responses are originally from  Horse Sense of the Carolinas, Inc. Copyright 2007 All rights reserved  and adapted to fit Unbridled Change’s individual program)

What happens during a session?

Each session will take place on the ground with a facilitating team made up of a licensed mental health professional, certified equine specialist and one or more horses.  The client will participate in a variety of ground activities with the horses that work on skills such as problem solving, trust, communication, and relationship skills.  

I am afraid of horses.  Can I still benefit from this type of therapy?

Absolutely! Working within Unbridled Change’s supportive environment, it is your fear that may prove especially effective in breaking through old patterns and revealing important insights. No prior knowledge of horses and/or horsemanship is necessary! 

How many sessions should you expect?

For individual clients we recommend at least six sessions, but the average amount is between eight to twelve sessions depending on the issues and therapeutic goals.

What are the prices?

In general our Individual sessions the cost is $110 for a 50 minute session. Group sessions are $55 a client for a 90 minute session (minimum of four clients). We accept a variety of payment types, call us for details.

We do provide financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information on our sliding fee scale and our scholarship application please contact us.  
 
What type of payment is accepted at Unbridled Change? Do you accept insurance?

Unbridled Change accepts cash, check and credit cards, and has scholarship programs in place for clients who qualify. For private insurance, we provide you with the necessary paperwork to be reimbursed by your insurance company. We encourage you to contact your insurance carrier before your first visit, and to be an informed consumer. To be an informed consumer, please download and review the Advocating for Services (this document was created by Horse Sense of the Carolinas, an EAP/EAL program in North Carolina – we feel it has helpful information) document prior to calling your company.

Does Unbridled Change operate all year-round? What happens during bad weather?

We have both outdoor and indoor facilities, which enables us to work year-round no matter what the weather. Obviously, we don’t work in severe or dangerous weather conditions, including bad storms or snow. We may opt to postpone and reschedule your session in these circumstances.

Contact our office to discuss issues surrounding allergies. In many cases we can work around this so that you have a complete and exciting experience with minimal impact on you!

Dress comfortably! And dress to fit the weather. Due to our cool and sometimes-unpredictable mountain climate, we advise dressing in layers. Sessions might start out at one temperature, but become much cooler or warmer as they progress.  You will also want to wear comfortable, close toed shoes that are appropriate for outdoor activities – for example tennis shoes or boots.

Referring agencies should expect to provide Unbridled Change with proper release forms signed by the clients so that important clinical information may be shared (such as assessments/evaluations, diagnosis, drug screen results, treatment goals, and progress notes). We also have a simple referral form on our website.

What kind of client is appropriate for Unbridled Change?

At Unbridled Change, we utilize two types of programs: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), both utilizing the EAGALA-model. EAP is effective for clients with mental health diagnoses and is idea for individuals, couples, and families. EAL is about developing lifeskills, and is utilized for schools and for groups who may benefit by having a mental health professional present in all sessions.

What kind of client is not appropriate for Unbridled Change?

Each EAP client undergoes evaluation by our mental health professionals prior to beginning treatment to determine whether EAP is an appropriate form of therapy for their specific situation. The therapist may deem EAP inappropriate for the following:

• Children under the age of five (due to safety issues)
• Clients with severe cognitive impairment are usually not appropriate for EAP, but fit well in our Therapeutic Riding Program 
• Clients with agoraphobia
• Clients not taking their medication(s)
• Clients who are severely traumatized (determined by therapist during evaluation)

While we may work with recovering addicts, addicts who are actively “using” are referred to rehabilitation programs. Likewise, we do not perform couples counseling when domestic violence is current; we recommend individual therapy for the safety of both parties. If you are uncertain whether EAP may an effective treatment for your situation, contact Unbridled Change to discuss your situation: 540-719-2171.

How does Unbridled Change work with clients in an inpatient/residential facility or in a group home?

We feel the most ideal and productive way to conduct Equine Assisted Therapy is at the Unbridled Change facility, where we have access to the proper environment, tools, and individual horses that give us the most flexibility in any situation. However, we can provide on-site services for select clients, bringing our team of horses and EAP professionals directly to your facility. Call Unbridled Change and talk to one of our staff for more information on how this might work for you.

The therapists and equine specialists at Unbridled Change are highly trained, both within their respective professions and by EAGALA, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. Continuing education and training, and third-party supervision are an ongoing part of our educational process.

How do I get started?

Call us at 540-719-2171 to get started and see if
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is right for your needs.
Click here to download our registration packet