Healing with Horses
Join our tailored approach to equine therapy with 15 years of experience
Healing with Horses
Join our tailored approach to equine therapy with 15 years of experience
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Join Us in an individualized therapy
Our background
Healing Hoofbeats and Forward Strides is operated by founder Maria Dahlmann, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of experience treating individuals, families, young adults and couples with a wide range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, substance abuse, and trauma. Maria is licensed in multiple states and uses an eclectic mix of interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and solution-focused brief therapy. She holds dual master’s degrees in Social Work at New York University and Clinical Psychology at The New School for Social Research and is certified in equine assisted therapy. Maria also brings a strong background in not-for-profit organizations to Forward Strides . She has contributed her expertise to New York Presbyterian Hospital (affiliated with Columbia University and Cornell University), Yale New Haven Hospital, Napa State Hospital, and supported and developed programs for the United Nations. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing mental health care and social services for vulnerable populations across cultural and institutional boundaries.
Who can benefit?
EAGALA style equine assisted psychotherapy is used to complement traditional therapy for a wide range of mental health challenges, including addiction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic pain and behavioral disorders. Because the focus is on engaging with horses rather than talking, it can be especially helpful for clients who struggle with verbal expression or feel uncomfortable in a typical therapy office. Sessions offer a calming, outdoor environment and can be tailored to children, adolescents and adults of most ages.
Our Impact
Eagala Model
Experiential Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Healing Hoofbeats utilizes the EAGALA approach to equine assisted psychotherapy. EAGALA stands for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. The EAGALA model is a structured form of therapy in which a client works with a team consisting of a licensed mental-health professional, an equine specialist, and one or more horses. Sessions
Healing Hoofbeats utilizes the EAGALA approach to equine assisted psychotherapy. EAGALA stands for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. The EAGALA model is a structured form of therapy in which a client works with a team consisting of a licensed mental-health professional, an equine specialist, and one or more horses. Sessions take place on the ground (horses are never ridden) and include activities like grooming, feeding, leading and ground based exercises. The horses are deliberately unencumbered and allowed to interact naturally with the client, which reveals relational patterns and encourages nonverbal communication, problem solving and self discovery.
Experiential Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Experiential Therapy
Experiential, hands-on therapy: Clients “learn by doing” through activities with horses. This experiential approach allows them to project and analyze their own life challenges, develop coping strategies and discover personal solutions. Nonjudgmental feedback: Horses are highly sensitive to human emotions and will mirror a person’s feelin
Experiential, hands-on therapy: Clients “learn by doing” through activities with horses. This experiential approach allows them to project and analyze their own life challenges, develop coping strategies and discover personal solutions. Nonjudgmental feedback: Horses are highly sensitive to human emotions and will mirror a person’s feelings and energy. This provides immediate, nonverbal feedback and helps clients recognize and regulate their emotions
Team Approach
Experiential Therapy
Team Approach
Our treatment team consists of a licensed therapist, equine Specialist and the four legged. Our licensed therapist brings over 15 years of experience to the table. EAGALA style equine assisted psychotherapy is used to complement traditional therapy for a wide range of mental health challenges, including addiction, posttraumatic stress di
Our treatment team consists of a licensed therapist, equine Specialist and the four legged. Our licensed therapist brings over 15 years of experience to the table. EAGALA style equine assisted psychotherapy is used to complement traditional therapy for a wide range of mental health challenges, including addiction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, trauma and behavioral disorders. Because the focus is on engaging with horses rather than talking, it can be especially helpful for clients who struggle with verbal expression or feel uncomfortable in a typical therapy office. Sessions offer a calming, outdoor environment and can be tailored to children, adolescents and adults of most ages.
Licensed Staff/ Out of Network Reimbursement with Insurance
Support Strides Forward Today
As a licensed provider, Maria is able to provide superbills which can be submitted to insurance for out of network reimbursement. Maria holds licenses in 4 states including California, Arizona, New York and Connecticut. At Forward Strides - we are also in the middle of grant writing in order to raise funds to provide treatment to underserved communities. Please contact us for more information.
Maria Dahlmann
CA LCSW# 86897
NPI number 1770958530
