Business Details
11 Years
experience
Transformative Equine-Assisted Mental Health Therapy
Founded seven years ago, our practice specializes in clinically focused equine-assisted therapy and empirically-based mental health counseling. We address conditions including PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and addictions through innovative modalities like Equine-Assisted EMDR and Structural Dissociation Theory. Our licensed clinicians combine decades of expertise with a commitment to animal welfare, ensuring horses receive advanced care including massage therapy, acupuncture, and specialized diets.We serve individuals, families, and groups at our Scottsdale desert ranch, prioritizing nature-connected healing environments that foster lasting recovery. Research-driven practices and partnerships with top recovery groups in Arizona underpin our approach to stabilization, trauma resolution, and corporate team-building programs.
Services
Equine-Assisted EMDR
Trauma Counseling
Family Therapy
Inpatient Recovery Support
Equine-Assisted Learning
Team Building Workshops
Stabilization Services
Corporate Events
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- Licensed Arizona clinicians with specialized EMDR and equine therapy certifications
- Horses receive advanced welfare care including acupuncture and physical therapy
- Seven years of evidence-based practice integrating horses into mental health treatment
- Proven success with complex trauma, addiction recovery, and family systems therapy
- Corporate team-building programs combining equestrian expertise with leadership development
Associations and certifications
- EMDRIA
- PATH International
What people say
Life-changing
Made all the difference
Fell in love
Success stories
Positive memories
Services
Equine-Assisted EMDR
Our Equine-Assisted EMDR combines 8-phase trauma processing with horse interactions to help clients achieve grounding and safety. Horses' attunement to human nervous systems creates unique therapeutic opportunities for adaptive information processing. This modality particularly benefits individuals with complex trauma and PTSD.
Trauma Counseling
Specialized trauma counseling addresses single-incident and complex trauma through evidence-based practices. Our clinicians use Structural Dissociation Theory and equine partnerships to help clients reprocess traumatic memories while maintaining emotional regulation during sessions at our desert ranch facility.
Family Therapy
Family therapy sessions incorporate equine interactions to improve communication patterns and relationship dynamics. This approach helps families address mental health challenges like anxiety and depression while building trust through structured horse activities that mirror interpersonal dynamics.
Equine-Assisted Learning
Equine-Assisted Learning programs teach horsemanship skills and horse behavior understanding. Participants develop communication skills and emotional awareness through one-on-one sessions with equine specialists, gaining insights applicable to personal growth and professional development.
Team Building Workshops
Team-building workshops use horse interactions to develop leadership and communication skills. Participants learn herd dynamics parallels to workplace relationships through guided activities, with experienced facilitators connecting equine behavior observations to corporate leadership challenges and problem-solving strategies.
People
Ann Wilson
LPC, Founder
Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in PTSD treatment with EMDR certification. Combines 20+ years of clinical experience with dressage expertise to lead Ignite's equine therapy programs focused on mental health awareness and healing.
Kristina Vahe
Equine Specialist
PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructor with 15+ years of equine experience. Oversees client safety during sessions and manages barn operations, applying Meredith Manor training expertise to support Ignite's therapy programs since inception.
Michelle Lannan
Equine Sports Massage Therapist
Certified equine sports massage therapist with olympic-level training background. Provides specialized care for therapy horses while serving as equine specialist, integrating advanced equestrian knowledge into client treatment plans and horse wellness programs.
Jordyn McMinn
Licensed Associate Counselor
EMDR-trained counselor specializing in emotion-focused therapy for individuals and couples. Brings lifelong equestrian experience to equine-assisted psychotherapy, helping clients build trust and emotional growth through horse partnerships in therapeutic settings.
Justin Hartline
Equine Specialist
Recovery advocate with 10 years of sobriety who transitioned from client to staff. Uses personal experience with equine therapy to support others in recovery, demonstrating Ignite's commitment to transformative healing journeys through horse-human connections.
Questions
What makes equine-assisted therapy different from traditional counseling?
Horses provide immediate biofeedback and create grounding opportunities during therapy sessions, enhancing traditional counseling methods through non-verbal communication and mirroring techniques.
How does EMDR therapy work with horses?
Equine-Assisted EMDR combines 8-phase trauma processing with horse interactions, using dual attention stimulation from equine presence to help clients reprocess traumatic memories safely.
What mental health conditions do you treat?
We specialize in PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, addictions, and personality disorders using evidence-based equine-assisted therapies tailored to individual client needs.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept Evernorth (Cigna) insurance and work with clients to verify coverage details for equine-assisted mental health treatment services at our Arizona facility.
How are therapy horses cared for?
Our horses receive massage therapy, acupuncture, specialized diets, and veterinary care exceeding industry standards, ensuring their well-being while serving as both performance animals and therapy partners.
Can horses really help with mental health?
Research shows equine partnerships improve emotional regulation and trust-building. Our clients consistently report breakthroughs through horse interactions that complement traditional therapy approaches.
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