From the saddles of her three therapy horses, psychotherapist Julia Lippert hopes to help her clients work past their trauma to improve their mental health.
Blue Oaks Counselling and Wellness, with locations in Collingwood and Stayner, launched a pilot program in June to offer equine-assisted therapy out of Deer Lake Farm in Singhampton. Lippert, a co-owner of the practice, is a registered psychotherapist, clinical traumatologist, and equine-assisted psychotherapist.
“Equine therapy allows us to have all these little experiences with the horse. It’s really beneficial for people who may struggle with anxiety, depression or trauma symptoms. Clients can really learn what it feels like to slow down, be present and be mindful,” Lippert told CollingwoodToday.
“You can take that with you and carry it into your everyday life.”
Lippert and her husband, Kyle (also a psychotherapist), founded Blue Oaks Counselling and Wellness in 2012 in Collingwood, after moving to the area to be closer to Kyle’s family. Over time, the business has grown, and now boasts a team of 15 psychotherapists across its two locations.
The equine-assisted therapy program brings together clients (aged 12 and older) who have experienced trauma — who may be suffering from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, behaviour disorders or obsessive compulsive disorders — with horses through therapy and can help bring clients inner peace, connection and a feeling of safety.
When Lippert’s daughter started taking pony lessons a couple of years ago, Lippert’s personal passion for horses reignited and she started exploring how she could bring horses into her therapy practice.
“I’ve always loved horses. I grew up in Germany; my parents had a farm and we had a couple of horses,” she said.
Her program has three therapy horses that work with clients: Eowyn, a 16-year-old palomino paint mare, Soreno, a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, and Lace, a 14-year-old Percheron cross mare.
Sessions might take place on the ground, or they might be mounted trauma-processing sessions.
Lippert can see the program growing over time, based on the feedback she’s received from clients participating in the pilot.
“Some of the things I’m hearing are that (clients) are experiencing really profound changes in how they feel in everyday life,” she said. “They’re feeling a sense of connection within themselves and with others. It’s life-changing.”
Being able to watch clients come out of their shells through the therapy is an experience she finds particularly rewarding.
“I’ve had lots of really beautiful moments. These horses have such an ability to connect with humans,” she said.
As Lippert is a registered psychotherapist, the equine therapy she provides should be covered under most extended health insurance that covers psychotherapy. Blue Oaks serves clients from Meaford, Thornbury, the Town of The Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Barrie, and Owen Sound.
More information can be found on the Blue Oaks website here.
