ARK at Egwood Equine and Nature Facilitated Psychotherapy

About us

ARK at Egwood is a therapeutic, land based services organisation set in the beautiful Somerset countryside near Crewkerne and Ilminster.

The therapeutic team at Ark are able to offer a vast range of therapeutic landbased activities which include Equine and Nature Facilitated Psychotherapy.

Accredited therapist Michaela Slade has qualified with LEAP Equine Facilitated Therapy as a practitioner and has also done extensive nature therapy training with Sweet Track Counselling Centre.

ARK equine therapy offers an alternative way of working, a way that embraces the wider picture and the whole experience. The space of outdoor therapy allows a much more fluid form of therapy, it has movement and energy but is less intensive and has a high impact.

Room based therapy isn't for everyone and can feel quite intimidating, particularly for clients with OCD or anxiety, being outside can feel more comfortable for clients and can also provide a source of tools and ideas to work with and bring into the session.

Horses are incredibly sensitive animals, they have evolved this way to protect themselves from potential predators. Horses are sentient beings with a keen ability to sense the energy of our feelings, horses don't just reflect or mirror our feelings, they respond, sometimes to help you to calm or recognise the emotional energy you are holding within.

The equine therapy does not involve any riding and no horse experience is necessary to benefit from a trusting and meaningful relationship with the horse.

The work involves gentle groundwork exercises and techniques to facilitate connection and a reflective space within which you can process difficulties, thoughts and feelings

The equine and nature therapy can be offered individually or combined, there is also opportunity to work with the horses and nature to develop spiritually.

We are able to work with individuals, adults, children and groups. We offer personal development and team building sessions, couples therapy and family therapy.

Room based counselling is also available.

We work mostly with anxiety, social anxiety, GAD, Depression, young people, autism and aspergers, couples and families and team building.

We also hold peer support groups for therapists

Please contact Michaela Slade MNCS adv.dipcp , Director of therapeutic services using the contact details above.