HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Laurelwood Equine Assisted Discoveries, LLC (LEAD) opened April 1, 2019, offering unique services to Cullman County- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala) Model counseling and personal development sessions.
“LEAD offers Eagala Model counseling sessions for adults, children and teens who have experienced trauma, suffer from mental illness, ADHD, grief and loss and/or are involved in the foster care system or have been adopted,” said LEAD Executive Director and Eagala-certified Therapist Ashley Lee. “We specialize in trauma and working with at-risk youth and see many who suffer from anxiety, PTSD and depression. We can also provide traditional counseling in an office, or outside in nature without the horses if a client desires, or do a combination of office therapy and Eagala Model therapy.”
She continued, “We offer personal development in the form of Eagala Model equine-assisted learning groups for corporations, small businesses, youth groups, sports teams and any group wanting to improve upon leadership skills, teambuilding and communication. These groups are offered in two-, four- or six-hour formats and are tailored to meet the needs of the group.”
According to www.eagala.org, “The Eagala Model is a team approach that includes a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and horses working together with the client in an arena at all times. When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish. This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.”
“Eagala holds its practitioners to the highest of standards and code of ethics,” said Lee. “They require extensive training and experience for initial certification as well as in-depth ongoing continuing education to maintain certification.”
She continued, “The Eagala Model is so effective because it embraces the science that humans learn best by doing. The model prescribes a hands-on approach where clients are given the space to project and analyze their situations, make connections, and find their own solutions. Since the solutions are personally experienced in conjunction with intellectual understanding, they tend to be deeper, more profound, and longer lasting. All the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish. This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project and make deep connections. No horse experience is ever required.”
Working with Lee are Equine Specialists Donna Bolton and Michelle Moody.
What makes LEAD unique in the Cullman area?
“LEAD is the only Eagala program in the Cullman area,” said Lee. “We differ from other local equine programs in that our services are provided by a licensed professional counselor and equine specialist team. Our goal is not to teach horseback riding or horsemanship skills, but instead, we work to provide healing and coping skills for people that may need help emotionally for various reasons. We also teach valuable skills to those looking to improve their professional worth and development. Our horses help our clients find solutions to their problems, and we help to facilitate change.”
LEAD has partnered with different organizations in the community.
“We have partnered with Brooks’ Place, the Child Advocacy Center of Cullman and I3Cares out of Huntsville to provide services to children at Brooks’ Place last summer,” Lee said. “Although LEAD is a for-profit business, I work part-time at Brooks’ Place, and have a passion for serving those in our community who have suffered tragedy. I am always looking to provide further assistance and for ways to partner with agencies whose clientele will benefit from our services. We work with Cullman County DHR as a vendor and are currently seeking other partnerships in the community that will enable us to serve at-risk youth. We are also looking to grow in our personal development services and welcome inquires related to equine-assisted learning with your group or team.”
LEAD accepts cash, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, PEEHIP, ALL Kids and SEIB and offers a sliding fee scale for services.
For more information, contact Lee at 256-277-1551 or alee@horseslead.com or visit www.horseslead.com or www.Facebook.com/horseslead. LEAD is located at 1410 County Road 490, Hanceville.
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