Table of Contents

Equine Therapy in Durango, Colorado

May 20, 2025 | Preferred Counseling Services, LLC | equine therapy

Welcome to Equine Therapy with Stephanie Mueller, BS, CAS

Preferred Counseling Services – Durango, CO

Horses listen with their entire bodies. They feel the flutter of your heartbeat through a halter rope, notice a single breath you hold too long, and respond instantly—without judgment, agenda, or expectation. At Preferred Counseling, I invite you into that honest partnership. Our equine-assisted therapy program blends evidence-based counseling with guided horse interactions so you can experience self-regulation, confidence, and connection rather than only talk about them. Whether your goal is lasting sobriety, post-traumatic growth, or sharper life direction, the arena turns insight into action, one deliberate step at a time.

What Exactly Is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy (also called equine-assisted psychotherapy or equine-facilitated learning) is an experiential, ground-based modality that pairs you with a trained therapy horse and a certified mental-health professional. You might groom, lead through a series of obstacles, practice mindful breathing beside the horse, or construct a problem-solving task together. Because horses are prey animals with highly attuned nervous systems, they mirror human emotion with stark accuracy: tension in your shoulders prompts them to shift away; a calm exhale invites them closer. This real-time biofeedback allows you to identify and adjust internal states you may not notice in a traditional office setting.

Key principles we weave into every session:

Somatic awareness: learning to recognize physiological signals of stress or grounding
Boundary practice: communicating needs clearly through body language and intention
Authenticity: observing what happens when your inner narrative does—or doesn’t—match your outward energy
Immediate reinforcement: watching the horse’s response confirm new behaviors on the spot

How Equine Work Accelerates Your Coaching Goals

1. Addiction Coaching + Equine-Assisted Recovery

In addiction recovery, the biggest hurdles are often emotional—craving, shame, self-doubt. Horses neutralize those barriers by offering non-verbal, non-judgmental feedback. As you lead a 1,200-pound partner over poles or through a maze, relapse-prevention strategies turn into muscle memory: setting firm yet flexible boundaries, staying present under pressure, and choosing values-based action even when discomfort rises. Repeated arena success builds the confidence—and the neural pathways—you’ll draw on when the urge to use surfaces in daily life.

2. Trauma Coaching + Equine-Facilitated Somatic Healing

Trauma memories are stored in the nervous system, not just the mind, which is why purely cognitive work can hit a ceiling. Horses help you drop below words. Their heart rates synchronize with yours; when you enter hyper-arousal, they increase distance, and when you reclaim calm, they return. Grooming, walking in sync, or simply breathing beside the horse trains your body to move from fight-or-flight into felt safety. Insights such as “My jaw clenched before I noticed fear” feed back into trauma-coaching sessions, accelerating stabilization, narrative processing, and re-integration.

3. Life Coaching + Equine-Driven Personal Mastery

Effective life coaching hinges on presence, clarity, and decisive action—exactly what a horse demands. In the arena you’ll set a clear intention, communicate it through posture and energy, and watch immediate results: if focus drifts, the horse stalls; if vision aligns, it follows. These vivid lessons translate into sharper goal-setting, stronger leadership, and healthier work-life boundaries. The horse becomes a living mirror, showing where your confidence holds and where it wavers, so you can adjust in real time and carry that mastery into boardrooms, classrooms, or home life.

Additional Applications

Anxiety & Stress Management | Mindful breathing beside a horse trains parasympathetic activation.
Adolescent Growth | Teens discover authentic self-expression without the social pressures of peers.
Couples & Family Work | Joint exercises highlight communication patterns and foster collaborative problem-solving.
Grief & Loss | The quiet, accepting presence of a horse offers sanctuary when words feel insufficient.

What to Expect in a Session

A typical hour begins with a short safety orientation and intention-setting at our covered outdoor arena minutes from downtown Durango. The middle of the session is devoted to hands-on activities—mindful grooming, synchronized walking, or creative obstacle courses—tailored to your objectives. We wrap up by reflecting on what you and the horse just taught each other, then link those insights directly to your broader counseling or coaching plan. Closed-toe shoes and weather-ready layers are all you need to bring; no horse experience is required.

Why Choose Preferred Counseling?

You’ll work with a therapist who holds dual credentials in mental health and equine-assisted modalities, ensuring psychological depth and sound horsemanship in every session. Integrated care keeps your arena work aligned with addiction, trauma, or life-coaching goals, while intentionally accessible pricing means cost remains a supportive, not limiting, factor. Safety protocols, gentle horses, and a convenient location just off Highway 160 round out a program designed for both impact and ease.

Start Your Journey Today

f you’re ready to take control of your healing and break free from the patterns holding you back, let’s take that first step together. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how equine therapy can help you. You deserve a life filled with hope, strength, and joy—and I’m here to help you get there.

Stephanie Mueller

BS, CAS

Stephanie Mueller is a dedicated and compassionate counselor with extensive experience in addiction counseling and therapy. Based in Durango, CO, she holds BS, CAS, bringing years of specialized expertise to her clients.

Stephanie is now expanding her practice to offer General Life Coaching, Addiction Coaching, and Trauma Recovery Coaching, empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. Her holistic approach and deep understanding of addiction and trauma make her a trusted guide on the journey to healing and transformation.

Ready to take the next step? Connect with Stephanie today!

Contact

1315 Main Avenue

Suite 212

Durango, CO 81301

(970) 259-3952

Life Coaching, Addiction Coaching & Trauma Recovery Coaching in Durango, Pagosa Springs, Ignacio, Bayfield, Silverton, Mancos, Cortez and Beyond.

Fees

Individual Sessions $100

Group Sessions $50

Sliding scale: apply for eligibility

Pay by Cash, Check, Credit Card