Experiental Learning
Experiental Learning
A relatively new modality for learning and therapy, experiential learning incorporates a variety of activities into therapeutic and personal development sessions in ways that provide multi-sensory experiences that help ‘anchor’ healthy new behaviors.
At Horses At Heart we utilize Play Therapy and Equine Assisted Therapy for success with families and children, at-risk youth, adults, and upper management corporate groups. When new behaviors are experienced first hand, the effects are often profound and the activity can illustrate personal and relationship blocks, emotional awareness, and social awareness behaviors in ways that can take years in ‘talk therapy’.
Participants in experiential learning programs engage in activities in a fun and non-judgmental environment. Authenticity, personal awareness and a heightened sense of how our actions affect our environment in both subtle and overt ways, are demonstrated and experienced.
Under the guidance of an adept and knowledgeable facilitator, processing the activities is an enlightening and enjoyable experience. Experiential learning is powerful for corporate groups with goals of leadership training and teambuilding, as well as a strong adjunct to comprehensive treatment programs for adults, youth and children, with behavior and mood disorders, eating disorders, addictive behaviours, depression and grief and trauma issues.
Deborah Weiss, Executive Director
With a background in music and TV production, and a a lifelong love of horses and riding, Deborah brings years of diverse management and facilitation experience to HORSES AT HEART.
Deborah has created numerous programs for Equine Facilitated Personal Growth and Learning and her work in psycho-social therapy is published in the academic text “Applications of Family and Group Therapy”, as well as numerous magazine and journal articles including the journal of the Ontario Psychological Association.
Deborah is a candidate for a Masters degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, is a Master Practitioner in NLP, a Level 1 facilitator of Theraplay®, and is currently studying towards certification as an Adler Professional Coach which will be an instrumental adjunct in her ‘Knowing Your Herd’ workshop which facilitates Corporate Leadership and Teambuilding.
Deborah has also received certifications in Equine Facilitated Personal Growth and Learning from a broad range of trainers and pioneers in the field, including internationally acclaimed horse trainer Chris Irwin, best selling author of “Horses Don’t Lie” and “Dancing With Your Dark Horse’, and she is a Recommended Instructor with Eponaquest Worldwide, having studied with best-selling author Linda Kohanov, whose work on leadership provides useful tools for developing collaborative teams and change management. Deborah is also a Level 1 Certified EAGALA trainer.
If you have question, please do not hesitate to contact us at (905) 898-1530 or info@horsesatheart.com
