Services
Welcome to our practice! Happier Trails specializes in treating women with trauma, but our services are open to people of all ages and gender identities who might benefit from them.
While we do not specialize in unique issues affecting the LGBTQIA community, communities of color, or those with disabilities, we recognize the existence, harm, and trauma caused by bigotry, misogyny, racism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia in our society and are committed to offering services in an environment that is inclusive, culturally-sensitive, and affirming of all identities and experiences.
Additionally, while we welcome Clients in recovery and can work to treat underlying causes that can lead to addiction, we do not treat addiction itself. We encourage Clients seeking relief from active addiction to first receive treatment from a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in an inpatient or outpatient setting, and then consider our therapy services as a secondary maintenance step on their recovery journey.
Trauma Focused Care
While what brings you to therapy may not be trauma itself, unhealed trauma often fuels symptoms and issues in less obvious ways. Happier Trails focuses on client-directed therapy where the client is the ultimate authority on what is worked on and at what pace. However, therapy at Happier Trails is designed to help clients understand that what they are experiencing is not taking place in a vacuum, and how many factors in their life, including the past, affect them currently. This is to help clients bring true resolution to inner conflicts rather than create quick emotional fixes. Some types of therapy focus on brief issue-specific interventions, which can be useful, but at Happier Trails we are invested in treatment that is often designed to take place over a longer period of time. With that said, each client receives an individual treatment plan designed to address their specific needs.
Cost of Services
Happier Trails does not currently bill insurance, and payment for services is out of pocket at this time. Any 45 minute service that doesn't utilize the horses, including EMDR and telemed, is $120. Any 55 minute service utilizing the horses starts at $180. Sliding scale is available on a limited basis as we work to contract with insurance companies in the future.
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy
Individual equine-facilitated psychotherapy, both using Eagla model and otherwise, is available on an ongoing basis to those who are deemed to be appropriate candidates for this type of therapy after an initial screening. No previous horse experience required. For information on what occurs during a session, please refer to the section about Eagala.
Happier Trails, llc specializes in treating depression, anxiety, trauma and trauma disorders, women's issues, and counseling clients through life changes. However, if you have a specific issue you or your child would like to work on that is not listed, please contact us to inquire. We are serious about practicing within our scope for your well-being and will refer to alternate professionals if we cannot appropriately and safely meet your needs.
Equine-facilitated psychotherapy can be done in conjunction with other types of therapy. If you have a therapist you're working with already, and they feel this type of therapy may be a useful supplement, Happier Trails is open to collaborating with other treatment professionals.
Eagala-based equine-facilitated therapy sessions have a higher rate to cover the cost of both necessary professionals, the care of the horses, and the overhead of the equine facility.
In-Office/Outdoor/Telehealth Sessions
Sessions not utilizing the horses- in-office, outdoor, or ttelemed sessions are available for both Clients participating in equine therapy, as well as Clients who do not wish to participate in equine therapy.
Occasionally, during the course of equine-facilitated psychotherapy, it is appropriate to do non-horse sessions. Examples of this include during the initial meeting and assessment, if something upsetting happens in the Client's life and they need a session just to talk to the therapist, and as a check-in to review goals and assess the treatment plan efficacy.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies. (From EMDRIA, for more information visit their website.)
Happier Trails can offer EMDR in all treatment settings, and EMDR can often be combined with a variety of treatment approaches. While EMDR is appropriate for many people, it is not always the most fitting therapeutic approach for everyone. If you're interested in seeing if you could benefit from EMDR, contact Happier Trails for an assessment.
Equine-Facilitated Wellness Activities
Occasionally, Happier Trails, llc will partner with Ancora Imparo Equine Facility to offer non-therapy based equine wellness activities to members of the public who pre-register. These include programs such as yoga, art classes, or support groups within the presence of horses.
Information on future classes will be shared on this website.
Location
All services take place at the beautiful Ancora Imparo Equine Facility in Boscawen NH, just 15 minutes from Concord. Amenities include both an indoor and outdoor ring, round pen, multiple paddocks where private sessions can be conducted, outdoor seating areas, children's play areas trails, a pond, and an exclusive office just for HT clients/sessions. Our equine therapy herd consists of about half a dozen horses of varying ages, sizes, and personalities, including miniature horses.
