Follow us on Facebook
Equine Facilitated Learning/Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Programs
Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) is an educational approach that incorporates equine facilitated activities incorporating the experience of equine/human interaction in an environment of learning and self discovery. EFL encourages personal explorations of feelings and behaviors to help promote human growth and development. EFL is facilitated by a certified Path International-Registered Instructor working with an appropriately credentialed equine professional (Equine Specialist). Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) is experiential psychotherapy that includes equines. It may include, but is not limited to, a number of mutually respectful equine activities such as handling, grooming, lounging, and riding. EFP is facilitated by a licensed, credentialed mental health professional working with a certified Path International-Registered Instructor.
R.O.C.K. offers several different EFL/EFP programs meeting a wide range of needs. Clients must have a completed and signed Client/Participant application (PDF), including but not limited to a photo release, liability release, emergency medical form, and attending physician forms, prior to participation in equine activities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the program, please do not hesitate to contact R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids.
Step Up To Success! School-Based Programs
R.O.C.K.’s popular Step Up To Success program is a highly successful collaboration between Special Education classroom teachers and R.O.C.K. staff, volunteers and horses. Step Up To Success brings together academics with Equine Facilitated Learning, social skills, sensory regulation, and cognitive behavior therapy. Step Up To Success is a fun and exciting way to reinforce social, behavioral and academic skills.
Path International Registered Instructors and classroom educators partner with the horse to provide students with a complete sensory-social experience. Specially trained volunteers offer role modeling, mentoring and social opportunities for the students that they may not otherwise receive.
R.O.C.K. offers several different Step Up To Success programs:
1. In-school visits. R.O.C.K. instructors and volunteers will bring a miniature horse to your classroom! Your students will have the opportunity to pet and groom a horse as well as learn about horses – horse anatomy, where horses live, what they eat, etc. The instructional element incorporates functional life skills as well as vocabulary, science and math. Great for holiday and end-of-year parties!
2. Field trips. R.O.C.K. will host your classroom for an instructional field trip. Students will be allowed to pet and groom a miniature horse, take an extended tour of our barn, trails and pastures, bake horse treats, learn about horses - horse anatomy, where horses live, what they eat, etc. The instructional element incorporates functional life skills as well as vocabulary, science, math and a sensory experience. R.O.C.K. facilities are handicapped accessible. This is a great field trip opportunity for special needs students who struggle in a traditional field trip environment!
3. School-based therapeutic riding programs. This multi-week program (6 to 10 weeks) offers the most comprehensive Equine Facilitated Learning opportunity. Combining a therapeutic riding experience with indoor/outdoor classroom activities, students work on academics, self help skills, balance and coordination, fine and gross motor skills, self regulation, social skills, behavior modification, and sensory regulation. Children are required to have a completed Client/Participant application (PDF) (including Physician's statement and signature) prior to riding.
For more information about our school-based offerings, please contact Kris Gonzalez.
ROCKStars Youth Programs
ROCKStars is an experiential learning program designed to address the key needs of children and adolescents facing today’s challenges. ROCKStars promotes the personal exploration of feelings and behaviors through the horse/human relationship in a safe and accepting environment. Clients work with Path International Registered Instructors, educators, counselors, mentors and horses. Goals are related to developing self-worth and empowerment, establishing and maintaining healthy relationships and boundaries, coping skills and anger management.
R.O.C.K. partners with the Williamson County Juvenile Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown in providing services to their clients. R.O.C.K. also offers private EFL sessions to youth and their families.
For more information regarding our youth programs, please contact Kris Gonzalez.
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Program
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy is quickly emerging as a powerful, experiential approach to psychotherapy based on the horse/human relationship. Combining basic horsemanship skills with bonding exercises and energy work, clients experience powerful connections with the horses and uncover astonishing metaphors for life. Clients work with licensed mental health professionals, Path International Registered Instructors and horses. Clients learn to:
• Identify healthy and unhealthy relationships
• Recognize personal power and how to access it
• Identify communication, intimacy and trust issues
• Create safe, healthy boundaries
• Balance the four basic elements of Mind, Body, Emotion and Spirit
R.O.C.K. offers EFP to individual clients, families, and groups. For more information regarding our EFP offerings, please contact Kris Gonzalez.
EFP-Chemical Dependency Program
The R.O.C.K. experiential equine therapy program for people with chemical addictions utilizes the innate gentleness and natural instincts of the horse to help participants recognize their own blocks to authenticity, intimacy, communication and trust. People who suffer from addictions, depression, codependence and/or PTSD are frequently disconnected from aspects of themselves that they are unable to cope with such as feelings of anger, grief or fear. Strong defenses, denial patterns and/or addictions are developed to keep hidden those feelings, which cannot be confronted and dealt with in a healthy manner. Participating in R.O.C.K.’s Chemical Dependence Equine Therapy Program is valuable for both the participants and the substance abuse counselor because it increases trust, creates a strong group bond and helps the clients identify important treatment issues.
Clients work with Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors, Path International Registered Instructors and horses.
R.O.C.K. partners with The Arbor Residential Treatment Center to provide a ten-week EFP-CD program to their residents. R.O.C.K. also offers private EFP sessions to individuals and families of individuals who are recovering from chemical addiction.
For more information regarding our EFP-CD programs, please contact Kris Gonzalez.
EFL/EFP Staff
Kris Gonzalez, EFL/EFP Director
Path International Registered Instructor
(512) 930-7625 ext. 309
(512) 630-8830 cell
Mary Lynn Szymandera, LCAC, ICDAC, CEFIP
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
(512) 930-7625 ext. 309
Ashley Colvin
Path International Registered Instructor
(512) 930-7625 ext. 309
