The Healing Horse
A four-week course of therapeutic, ground-based sessions with horses for children and young people experiencing challenges with their mental health, on Monday afternoons in term time.
A calm place to work things through
The Healing Horse provides therapeutic, ground-based sessions with horses for children and young people experiencing challenges with their mental health. It is led by Anna Hopkins, Mental Health Nurse and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), registered with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Anna has over 18 years of experience supporting young people and adults, and works in a creative and flexible way, drawing on different therapeutic approaches to suit each person’s needs. Her practice is rooted in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She trained with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) in 2014 and is completing an equine assisted therapy course with The Natural Approach Ltd.
Sessions aim to develop participants’ self-awareness, confidence and resilience, equipping them with healthier coping strategies to manage emotional challenges. Through guided, horse-centred activities, participants engage in a calm, supportive environment where therapeutic support and experiential learning combine.
What to expect
What a session involves
Ground-based, with a practitioner
Therapeutic sessions with horses, led by Anna Hopkins, a Mental Health Nurse and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
Self-awareness and resilience
Sessions aim to develop self-awareness, confidence and resilience, and healthier coping strategies for emotional challenges.
A group course, or one to one
A structured four-week group course, or 1:1 and paired sessions for participants who may not benefit from a group setting.
I was not part of the session but I can honestly say it was like a weight had been lifted off her and a switch had been flicked inside her. After the session, the prickly hostility was gone and I felt able to connect with my daughter again.
The practical bits
When
Monday afternoons
Term time only, over four weeks.
Ages
8 to 18
Cost
£100 an hour
Or £50 for a 30-minute taster session.
Where
The Stockyard, Bushy Park
Hampton TW12 2EJ
Sound like the right fit?
Enquiries about The Healing Horse go straight to the practitioner who runs it. Use the button and we will make sure it reaches her.