Take the first gentle step toward healing – no words required.
For many people, especially those who have experienced trauma or difficulty trusting others, connecting with an animal can feel safer and more accessible than connecting with another person. Animals offer presence, warmth, and acceptance without judgment, which can help people feel calmer, more grounded, and more open in the therapeutic process. Research on Animal-Assisted Therapy shows meaningful benefits across ages and levels of need, including increased emotional regulation, connection, and a greater sense of safety in treatment.
At Bay Area Counseling & Consultation, LLC., we offer Canine and Equine Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy as an experiential option for patients who may benefit from incorporating the human-animal bond into their healing work. Several providers integrate this approach thoughtfully and intentionally as part of a supportive, trauma-informed treatment plan.
Canine Assisted Psychotherapy
Canine Assisted Psychotherapy combines traditional therapeutic approaches and relational approaches in partnership with the practice Therapy Dog, Leona. Leona (Lee-Lee) has several years of AAP work and has completed multiple training programs to help build her emotional agility and ensure therapeutic manners while in session. Most sessions are conducted outside and include somatic work, breath work, attachment work, problem-solving skills, and establishing boundaries. Lee-Lee is a generalist in her work and does not display any adverse countertransference with any disorder or population. Leona and handler Courtney Jones, LCSW-C, CCTP conduct all Canine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions. The duo have been trained together and are certified through Therapy Dog International.
The Animal Assisted Psychotherapy process is solution-focused and considered a short-term or brief approach designed to activate the patient’s healing resources and assisted with therapeutic gains. This work provides a context for patients to learn about themselves and connect to their stories in a way that often is not possible in traditional therapeutic practices. Patients’ meanings to particular activities or interactions during Animal Assisted Psychotherapy can yield insights into patterns of behavior and relationship to self and others.
Meet our therapy DogEquine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is offered at Dun-Pikin Farm and facilitated by licensed BACC providers who are certified through the Awakening With Equines program, PATH, or Natural Lifemanship. Our team is also actively trained in Natural Lifemanship, a relationship-based, trauma-informed model grounded in attachment theory, neuroscience, and the principles of healthy connection. Natural Lifemanship emphasizes rhythm, regulation, and secure relational patterns — supporting patients in developing trust, boundaries, and emotional attunement in ways that translate beyond the farm and into daily life.
EAP integrates treatment goals through collaboration among a licensed therapist, an equine professional, the horse, and the patient. Sessions include experiential, hands-on activities with equine partners and time to reflect on emotions, behaviors, body responses, and relational patterns. Patients work with horses from the ground and engage in skills such as non-verbal communication, problem-solving, co-regulation, mindfulness, and creative thinking to support emotional regulation and therapeutic growth.
Because horses are highly attuned to their environment and to the emotional states of the humans around them, their responses offer honest, non-judgmental feedback about what may be happening internally. Horses tend to respond best when people are grounded, congruent, and authentic — which encourages participants to slow down, notice what they are experiencing, and develop more present, connected, and compassionate awareness of themselves.
FAQ
- What is Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy? Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy is a clinical treatment provided by a licensed therapist using a trained therapy animal within a structured therapeutic plan that supports regulation, connection, and meaningful emotional insight.
- Are the therapy animals trained? Yes. Therapy animals are carefully screened for temperament, calmness, predictability, and comfort with people, and are supervised and supported throughout each session.
- What areas of mental health can AAP support? Animal assisted psychotherapy can help people with the following conditions: Trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, attachment healing, grief and loss, emotional regulation, self-esteem, social skills, and behavioral or relational challenges in children, teens, and adults.
- Do I need prior experience or comfort with animals? No prior experience is needed. Participation is guided by your preferences and goals, and interaction can include observation, grounding activities, or relationship-building work with the animal.
- What if I prefer slower or more gradual engagement? Sessions progress at a supportive pace, with options for distance-based, hands-off, or observational participation as part of the therapeutic process.
- How are allergies considered in AAP? Your clinician will explore options such as outdoor settings, no-contact participation, and environmental accommodations to help determine the best therapeutic fit. Participation is completely up to patient discretion.
- Is Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy safe? AAP is facilitated by trained professionals who follow established guidelines for safety, ethical practice, and animal welfare, with thoughtful integration into the therapy process.
- What happens in a typical session? Activities are guided by your treatment goals and may include observing or interacting with the animal, grounding and regulation practices, communication or boundary-setting exercises, and reflective processing with your therapist. Most of us operate from a somatic lens and encourage co-regulation in partnership with self and our animal partners.
- Is AAP covered by insurance? AAP is billed as a standard psychotherapy session, and coverage is determined by your individual insurance plan and mental health benefits. All services have an additional copay to pay for the overhead that comes with participation and practicing this modality. Please take a look at our fee schedule.
