Business Details
11 Years
experience
Equine-Assisted Therapy for Trauma & Mental Health
Founded seven years ago, Ignite Counseling & Equine Psychotherapy was established to address the need for clinically focused therapy incorporating equine-assisted practices. Our approach combines empirically-based methodologies with the therapeutic presence of horses, offering specialized treatment for PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Our team of licensed professionals utilizes evidence-backed modalities like Equine-Assisted EMDR, Structural Dissociation Theory, and Equine-Assisted Learning to create transformative experiences. We prioritize animal welfare, ensuring our horses receive advanced care and therapies to maintain their well-being. With a focus on nature-connected healing, we serve individuals, families, and groups, fostering resilience and long-term recovery.Our programs integrate clinical expertise with equine partnerships, providing unique tools for emotional growth and relationship repair. Backed by client testimonials, our work demonstrates measurable success in mental health outcomes. Our teams decades of combined experience in equestrian and therapeutic fields positions us as leaders in equine-assisted psychotherapy. We collaborate with top recovery groups and offer corporate team-building programs, extending our impact beyond individual therapy. Through continuous innovation and adherence to ethical standards, we remain committed to advancing mental health care through human-horse connections.
Services
Equine-Assisted EMDR
Trauma Counseling
Family Therapy
Addiction Recovery
Equine-Assisted Learning
Team Building Programs
Stabilization Support
Horsemanship Education
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer 7+ years of specialized equine-assisted trauma therapy experience
- Our clinicians are licensed in Arizona with EMDRIA-certified training
- Horses receive advanced welfare care including massage and acupuncture
- Proven success with complex trauma and PTSD recovery through client testimonials
- Unique integration of equestrian expertise with evidence-based psychotherapy
What people say
Life-changing
Made all the difference
Fell in love
Never looked back
Profound impact
Services
Equine-Assisted EMDR
Our Equine-Assisted EMDR program integrates the 8 phases of EMDR therapy with horse interactions to treat PTSD and complex trauma. The horses' attunement creates safe grounding for clients to process traumatic memories. This modality helps clients develop adaptive coping strategies applicable to daily life challenges.
Trauma Counseling
Specialized trauma counseling addresses PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction through clinically-based approaches. Our licensed therapists combine traditional techniques with equine partnerships to enhance emotional regulation and recovery outcomes for individuals and groups.
Equine-Assisted Learning
This program teaches horsemanship skills and equine communication principles. Clients learn through one-on-one sessions with equine specialists, gaining insights about trust, leadership, and relationship dynamics applicable to personal growth.
Addiction Recovery
Our addiction recovery programs use equine-assisted therapies to support both inpatient and outpatient clients. The horse-human connection provides motivation for sustained recovery while building essential life skills through structured ranch activities.
Team Building Programs
Corporate team-building experiences leverage horse interactions to develop leadership and communication skills. Participants learn herd dynamics applications for business environments through guided exercises with experienced equestrian professionals.
People
Ann Wilson
LPC, Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in PTSD treatment with EMDRIA-certified EMDR training. Combines 20+ years of clinical experience with dressage competition expertise to lead Ignite's therapeutic programs.
Kristina Vahe
Equine Specialist
PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructor with 15+ years of equine experience. Oversees client and horse safety during sessions while assisting with dressage training programs at Ignite.
Michelle Lannan
Equine Sports Massage Therapist
Certified equine sports massage therapist with Olympic-level training experience. Provides specialized care for Ignite's therapy horses and offers equestrian instruction to clients seeking horsemanship development.
Jordyn McMinn
Licensed Associate Counselor
EMDR-trained therapist specializing in emotion-focused therapy for individuals and families. Integrates equine-assisted techniques to address relationship dynamics and trauma recovery with a nonjudgmental approach.
Justin Hartline
Equine Specialist
Sobriety advocate with 10+ years of recovery experience. Uses personal journey and equine expertise to support clients through addiction recovery programs at Ignite's Scottsdale facility.
Questions
What is Equine-Assisted EMDR therapy?
Equine-Assisted EMDR combines standard EMDR protocols with horse interactions to treat trauma. The horses' presence helps clients feel grounded while processing distressing memories through bilateral stimulation techniques.
How do horses help with mental health treatment?
Horses provide nonjudgmental feedback and attunement to human emotions. Their responses help clients develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and trust-building skills applicable to recovery processes.
What mental health conditions do you treat?
We specialize in PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and addiction recovery. Our programs also address OCD, personality disorders, and family relationship challenges through tailored therapeutic approaches.
Are your therapists licensed professionals?
All clinicians hold Arizona Board of Behavioral Health licenses as Professional Counselors or work under direct supervision of licensed professionals with specialized equine therapy certifications.
Can families participate in therapy sessions?
Yes, we offer family therapy programs incorporating equine-assisted techniques. These sessions help improve communication patterns and relationship dynamics through structured horse-related activities.
Do you accept insurance coverage?
We accept Evernorth (Cigna) insurance plans and work with clients to verify coverage details. Payment options and financing availability can be discussed during initial consultation appointments.
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