NEW YEAR, NEW BARN!
29700 SW Mountain Rd
West Linn, OR 97068
EQUINE-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
Come as you are . . . Leave Changed
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a person."
Winston Churchill
What is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy? (EAP)
EAP is a form of mental health treatment in which horses play a central part in the therapeutic process. Here are some key distinctives of our EAP program at Liberty Reins:
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The majority of work with the horses is done from the ground.
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We focus on each individual's goals and emotional growth.
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Interaction with the horses results in betterment of self.
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Experiences with the horses bring out the biggest lessons learned.
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All sessions are conducted following a strict code of ethics.
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Sessions legally require the presence of a licensed mental health professional.
Why Horses?
INTELLIGENT
To evade predators, horses have to be extremely sensitive to their environment. They instinctively analyze and react to our body language and other nonverbal cues, providing valuable feedback and insights for other areas of our lives.
LARGE & POWERFUL
It’s hard to ignore a horse with their size and presence. We can’t just control a powerful horse. Approaching horses helps us reflect on how we approach our relationships and how we can face other big or overwhelming things in our lives.
PERSONALITIES
Horses are social animals with defined roles within a herd. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. They could be stubborn or they could be playful. In other words, horses are a lot like us.
eagala.org
MORE THAN TALK. A DIFFERENT WAY FORWARD
Conducted in partnership with Living Tree Wellness Center, we offer both individual therapy or group sessions.
Our sessions incorporate the Eagala model and follow trauma-informed principles from Natural Lifemanship. Each session includes a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist, and at least one horse. Insurance billing is available.
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
One-on-one support, guided by a licensed therapist, an equine specialist, and the quiet wisdom of horses. Sessions are personalized, relational, and experiential—creating space for insight, regulation, and meaningful change that goes beyond words.
MEET OUR TEAM
EQUINE PARTNERS
OUR HORSES
Our herd members are a vital part of our team in every session. Their barn identities are not shared as we want to allow each horse to become whatever character they might represent in a client's story.
EQUINE SPECIALIST
ALLISON WATSON
Allison (Ali) has spent nearly her entire life connected to horses and the healing power they offer. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and spent 15 years teaching science, nurturing a deep love for growth and lifelong learning. Ali first became Eagala-certified in 2016 and remains committed to continued development in the model. Her mission is to create a space where individuals can show up exactly as they are—authentic, real, and supported—while partnering with horses to explore their unique path toward healing and self-discovery.
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
MARLENA JOHNSON, LCSW
Marlena (Nina) is a licensed clinical social worker with experience helping adults in individual and group therapy. She provides therapy services for people experiencing mood disorders, emotional distress, interpersonal difficulties, or have a history of past trauma, or addiction. Learn more about Nina and her private practice at:
www.livingtreewellnesscenter.org
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
AMANDA RAY MELIAN, LCSW
Amanda specializes in working with people experiencing anxiety, recovering from trauma, pushing toward burnout, or navigating perinatal mood disorders such as postpartum depression. Using an empowerment model and client-centered approach to therapy, she is committed to keeping clients at the helm of their own treatment. She obtained her Master's in Social Work, as well as certifications in Animal Assisted Social Work and Equine Assisted Mental Health Practitioning from the University of Denver. It is her joy and privilege to hold space for folks seeking to heal.
