Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
in Belfast, Larne
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationships and more.
Providing Services
over 30+ Years
Introduction
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Caring for and interacting with animals has many proven health benefits. It can provide people with companionship, comfort and a strong sense of wellbeing, and it’s no surprise that animals have been used for therapeutic purposes throughout history. Whilst a range of animals can be used in therapy, equine therapy (therapy involving horses) has been found to be particularly effective in helping individuals to process and change negative behaviours.
“The big question that people have when they come here is what horses can actually give us in terms of psychotherapy. Horses are very social animals; they engage with each other, they engage with us. That whole process of exploring how can we connect to horses, what can we learn from them, what do they tell us about us, is the core of any equine assisted psychotherapy programme.”
Andreas Liefhooghe - Expert Horse Handler
“There’s a number of aspects to equine assisted therapy. First of all, it’s coming out into the beautiful environment and being with lovely animals. Other aspects of it are about controlling a one-tonne animal as a team. It enables clients to identify emotions which sometimes they find difficult to express.’’ Dr Niall Campbell Consultant Psychiatrist“There’s a number of aspects to equine assisted therapy. First of all, it’s coming out into the beautiful environment and being with lovely animals. Other aspects of it are about controlling a one-tonne animal as a team. It enables clients to identify emotions which sometimes they find difficult to express.’’
Dr Niall Campbell - Consultant Psychiatrist
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
What is equine therapy?
Equine assisted therapy is a holistic, experiential and highly specialised form of therapy that involves working in collaboration with a horse, your therapist and an expert horse handler.
During sessions, there are opportunities to meet the horse, spend time with the horse (s) and explore the relationship between you and the horse. These sessions generally do not involve riding a horse but may include tasks such as feeding and grooming. After sessions, you have the chance to discuss your experiences and emotions with your therapist.
Ultimately, the aim of equine therapy is to help you to discover more about yourself, develop new ways of thinking and change any negative behaviours.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Photo courtesy of Katrina Lundgren
What is the goal of equine therapy?
At the beginning, your equine therapy sessions will focus on helping you overcome any initial uneasiness, empowering you to develop and nurture your relationship with the horse. Working with horses requires patience, understanding, discipline and responsibility. Horses can be stubborn one day and playful the next, meaning that you need to be flexible, innovative and open to altering your behaviour. By working through equine therapy, you can develop skills such as communication, self-control, problem solving and accountability, as well as improving your self-esteem, empathy, flexibility and independence. It gives you the opportunity to discover more about your capabilities develop new ways of thinking and change negative behaviours. For example, by working with the horse, you may start to notice self-defeating thought processes or negative patterns of behaviour which may be contributing to your addiction, giving you to opportunity to take steps to overcome them.
What are the benefits of equine therapy?
Many of the benefits of equine therapy are likely due to the nature of the horses themselves. Horses are naturally gentle and calm creatures, and are able to mirror and respond to human behaviour, meaning that they are highly effective at interacting and working with others in a patient and non-judgemental manner.
Those who struggle to articulate how they’re feeling often find equine therapy useful as they’re able to express their emotions and feelings with their horse. In addition, individuals who find it hard to trust others or be intimate with people, can often achieve a strong bond and a level of closeness with their horse, and experience affection, acceptance and mutual respect.
Equine therapy doesn’t just result in psychological benefits - it has physical benefits too. Equine therapy has been found to reduce people’s blood pressure and heart rate, and help to calm physical symptoms of conditions such as anxiety and stress.
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
Would you like to explore your mental health wellbeing? Reach out today to start your journey towards healing and personal growth with a compassionate, professional counsellor by your side.
Other Services
Other areas of Counselling,
see how I can help
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges, providing a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy helps you understand your experiences and work towards positive change.
It can also address issues like workplace stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Whatever you’re facing, counselling provides tools and guidance to build resilience and move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Workplace Anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Relationship Breakdown
- Grief Support
- Self-Esteem Struggles
- Nature-Based Therapy
- EMDR for Healing
- Body Image & Eating
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
I offer flexible counselling options, including both in-person and remote sessions, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
In-person Sessions
In-person counselling provides a unique opportunity for connection and support in a comfortable environment. Meeting face-to-face allows for deeper emotional exchange and fosters a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore your challenges and work towards healing in a supportive atmosphere.
Remote Options
Remote counselling allows you to connect from home via phone or the video platform Zoom. This flexible option makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule while ensuring meaningful therapeutic conversations in a convenient setting.
Client reviews
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Depression
"I lost my relationship and my job and was at an all time low, I had gone to see many counsellors, many of whom didn’t help me. Jean did. She was real with me, she listened, she recognised my pain, I felt she was with me in my pain and wasn’t scared of it. Quite simply I wouldn’t have turned my life around without her. She was only one I could trust and who gave me the care and support I needed."
J, 54
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Depression
"I was scared going to my first counselling session but Jean was warm, welcoming and professional. She put me at ease and I was able to say things to her that I had never told anyone before. I was able to understand my behaviour and my pain so much more and to gradually change my life. I was able to put old ghosts to rest and enjoy my life again."
B, 39
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Anxiety
"Going to counselling was so helpful. I was really anxious, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t settle, was wakening up every night and felt so vulnerable. I felt I had lost everything and didn’t know where to turn. Through being listened to and heard, I came to understand some of why I was behaving the way I was and through Jean’s gentle probing I was able to look at my attitudes and behaviour and see how it was making things worse. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Money well spent."
A, 41
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Anxiety
"I have had many problems through out my life and seeing Jean has been a lifesaver for me. I never thought I could change my life around in the way I have. Counselling was painful at times, looking at things that had happened in the past, but Jean supported me and was my ally during this process. She allowed me to express my painful emotions, give me hope that I could survive and I did."
L, 60
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Body Centred Psychotherapy
"Jean really helped me to feel my emotions, I had cut off from my body and was living in my head. I was just like an automaton, going through the emotions. My relationship had broken down and I was devastated. Jean sat with me and gradually I was able to come into my body and to feel again and eventually connect with friends again and not feel so alone or separate. Jean allowed me to feel safe enough to feel some of my emotions and to feel my fears. I never felt judged, I felt heard and valued and gradually came to believe again that it was safe enough for me to speak what I was feeling and that I could survive what I had experienced. "
K, 53
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Couple Counselling
"I feel excellent progress has been made in our relationship and wish I had considered the counselling earlier. Although difficult and painful at times, having a neutral and honest assessment of our needs was extremely beneficial "
J, 33
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Couple Counselling
"Jean is such a good counsellor, she gives an excellent service. We had just got civil partnered and thought it would be the happiest days of our lives, but we were struggling in our relationship. Though counselling we learned how to sort out our differences without hurting each other and we have grown closer together. We would go and see Jean if the need arises but we are able to talk things out now and realise how we wind up each other. We are now practicing how to put what we have learned into practice. Thank you"
M, 36 and D, 38
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Couple Counselling
"My husband and I still loved each other but couldn’t find a way through. We had stopped communicating with each other and were living separate lives and were pretty much done. For the sake of the children we thought we would go and see a counsellor. We went to see Jean and it really helped us, we got to understand at a deeper level what the problems were, how we had stopped supporting each other and most importantly how to fix. We are still married and the children are thriving."
E, 39 and W, 43
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Food and Body Image
"I hated my body and went to see Jean to lose weight. I got so much more than that. I was surprised at what I found out. I got to understand why I was eating and how food was an emotional crutch for me and how it was easier to hate my body and myself, rather than deal with some of the hateful and horrible things that had happened to me in my life."
C, 44
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Food and Body Image
"My life looked perfect on the outside but had crumbled on the inside. I was feeling desperate and just couldn’t cope any more. I was binge eating and hating myself. It was a long and tough journey but with Jean’s knowledge, skills and understanding I have stopped striving for the perfect life and the perfect me. Instead I have opened up to friends and family and am much happier."
S, 34
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Nature
"Jean has a real gift to connect with people and to understand them. I had tried talking to other therapists and it hadn’t helped. When I spoke to Jean she understood this and suggested that we see each other outside and and be in nature. I found this so healing and less intimidating. It allowed me to feel my breath, to feel my legs, to feel the earth beneath me, I felt less alone. Jean and nature helped soothe me and allowed me to heal"
T, 53
Jean McMinn Therapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Belfast Holywood - Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationship and more.
Bangor - Cultra - Newtownards - Carrickfergus - Belfast City Centre - Donaghadee - Lisburn - Dundonald - Groomsport - Larne - Cookstown - Omagh - Gortin - Carrickmore - Pomeroy in Co Tyrone - Derry - Monaghan - Holywood - Comber