Equine Therapy

The following are examples of the innovative and effective therapeutic activities that we use to help our clients address their unique needs and meet their personal goals. Because of the individualized nature of treatment at Sierra Tucson, participation in these activities is determined on a case-by-case basis. The Therapeutic and Recreational Activities Program provides therapeutic programming and facilitates activities which promote recovery and healthy lifestyles. Each patient receives a Therapeutic Recreation Assessment, which is used in planning activities to enhance the patient's treatment process and to facilitate continuing care recommendations pertinent to recovery. The attending physician assesses the patient's appropriate level of activity throughout the course of treatment.

Challenge Course / Adventure Therapy

Patients utilize 16 different elements on the Challenge Course, as well as numerous indoor adventure therapy activities. The Challenge Course and adventure activities provide the perfect opportunity to face interpersonal issues. Here patients gain a heightened awareness about behavior and consequences, acceptance, and trust. They also may discover personal limitations or that they have greater reserves of strength, capabilities, and courage in the process.

Climbing Wall

The Climbing Wall is one element of Sierra Tucson's Therapeutic and Recreational Activities Program. Self-discovery often crystallizes during an experience that requires physical and mental exertion in the face of a potentially fearful activity. With its height and verticality, the Climbing Wall serves as an important therapeutic metaphor. As patients confront the physical demands of the wall and the challenge to scale it, they discover personal emotional truths concerning fear, trust, honesty, and dependency.

Creative Expression

Sierra Tucson utilizes creative expressive techniques to complement the treatment experience for our patients. These activities include art therapy, journaling, meditation, the desert experience, clap outs, historygrams, reading assignments, and more. Creative expressive techniques further deepen the journey to self-discovery.

Equine-Assisted Therapy

Equine-Assisted Therapy provides a metaphoric experience with horses to promote emotional growth. This experiential therapy teaches people about themselves, allows recognition of dysfunctional patterns of behavior, and helps define healthy relationships. Horses are typically non-judgmental and have no expectations or motives. Therefore, a patient can practice congruency without the perceived fear of rejection. The horse assists in making patients aware of their emotional state as the horse responds in reaction to their behavior. Through working with the horse, patients can gain insight into their feelings, behaviors, patterns, congruency, boundaries, and stumbling blocks to recovery. The process can be a very effective adjunct to treatment.

The Process:

Equine-Assisted Therapy occurs in a group setting with a maximum of eight participants, facilitated by a certified Equine-Assisted Therapist and a trained professional therapist. The process involves establishing a relationship with a horse on the ground and then evolves into the nurturing of that relationship, which may or may not culminate in actual riding in a contained area. Activities in the process include 'joining up' with the horse, grooming, longeing, or vaulting, and group experiential exercises. Through interaction between the horse and the patient, the trained professionals ask questions based upon what is being revealed through the 'relationship.' Individuals may receive one-on-one focus within the group setting. At the closing of the session, patients are provided time to process the experience with the therapists and integrate the insights into their treatment plan.

For more information, please call us anytime at 1-800-842-4487 or contact us by email to request more information.