If the client decided to include their non-human family member/animal in our psychotherapy session, I make sure that the animal and client is present for their benefit, not the therapist’s.

I include a wide range of animals in Individual, Couples, Family and Group Therapy, Including EMDR Therapy. Virtually any animal’s presence can be therapeutic for their handler (I refer the owner of the animal as a handler).Your animals can be a catalyst for therapeutic breakthroughs. The simple act of being in the company of your animal can release relaxing hormones, lower blood pressure and improve physical health.

Inspired by my own experiences with dogs, cats and horses, I become interested in incorporating animals into my practice. Additionally, as a former dog trainer and horse rehabilitator, I understand animal behavior/physiology and the clinical application of facilitating human-animal interactions and strategies for integrating animal-client in the client treatment goals.

Furthermore, I am attentive to prevent and respond to animal stress, fatigue and burnout, which includes my ability to identify and respond to the animal’s signals and body language, especially when the animal does not want to interact.

Animals can be especially helpful in psychotherapy; some clients feel more comfortable with animals than with people. In my experience animals serve as an additional tool for connection in therapy, they can help break the ice in therapy and establish common ground.

Animal lovers may feel more comfortable talking about their emotions and experiences when their animal is present. Petting your animal while discussing traumatic memories may even help those memories feel less painful.

Including your animal in your psychotherapy could benefits in:
• Lower anxiety
• Decrease blood pressure
• Improve pain management
• Assist people with Trauma in recalling memories
• Slow breathing