Equine Facilitated Wellness Group Referral Form

Dr. Shreyasi Brodhecker, MD, FRCP(C) Psychiatry, & colleagues
Phone: (780)564-1212
Fax: (780)450-4902
mindfulmarewellness@gmail.com

The Equine Facilitated Wellness groups at Mindful Mare Wellness are holistic and diverse. They utilize Mindfulness skills, Emotion Regulation and attachment-based Equine Facilitated Wellness approaches (influenced by Sue McIntosh of the Healing Hooves Animal Assisted Therapy program in Cremona, AB). Elements of energy work, energy management and intuition are also explored as they apply to time with the horses. They are well suited to individuals with emotion dysregulation, trauma history, chronic anxiety and/or depression. They are also helpful for individuals experiencing burnout and caregiver stress.

These are psychotherapy sessions provided by Dr. Brodhecker. Costs to attend sessions are therefore waived with a referral form completed by the health provider. Dr. Brodhecker works with a team of other mental health and equine professionals, all of whom are Equine Connection™-certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitators. Select team members, including Dr. Brodhecker, have additional training with the Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness in Canada.

The six-week group is primarily focused on learning and applying Emotion Regulation Skills. The twelve-week group is focused on learning a broader range of Emotion Regulation skills, body awareness, energy work and journaling and reflection designed to build self-trust and intuition.

Group Content:

All sessions include attachment-based exercises with therapy program horses in a safe supportive setting.

The mental health topics in the six-week program include:

  • Week 1: Mindfulness Practices and WHAT Skills of Mindfulness
  • Week 2: What are Emotions and what is Emotional Regulation
  • Week 3: Wise Mind, Healthy Boundaries, Self-Soothing
  • Week 4: Problem-Solving, Opposite Action, Self-Compassion
  • Week 5: Radical Acceptance
  • Week 6: Steps for the Future

The mental health topics in the twelve-week program include:

  • Week 1: Mindfulness Practices and WHAT Skills of Mindfulness
  • Week 2: What are Emotions and what is Emotional Regulation
  • Week 3: Wise Mind, Healthy Boundaries
  • Week 4: Energetic Boundaries and Noticing Energy Depletion and Repletion
  • Week 5: Intuition and Body Awareness
  • Week 6: Deepening Intuition
  • Week 6: Check the Facts and Opposite Action
  • Week 7: Self-Compassion and Self-Soothing
  • Week 8: Radical Acceptance
  • Week 9: Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
  • Weeks 10-12: Integration and Honoring the Attachment to the Herd

Required fields: *

Is the family physician in agreement with the referral? *

Patient Information

Group Inclusion Criteria (check all that apply):
Is this person comfortable joining a group therapy program? *
Can this person commit to attending a six-week or twelve-week program? *
NOTE: Please ensure that this person does not have any of the conditions below:
Individuals meeting the criteria included below may be referred for private one-on-one sessions only:

2022 Groups

(Note that COVID-related recommendations for indoor and outdoor groups will be followed in this program)

Program dates *

Referral Source Agreement:

I agree to remain this person’s provider (or to arrange alternate supports) in case of urgent physical or emotional issues during the course of this group. *
I understand that, although healthcare professionals facilitate the group, this group is not intended to replace psychiatric medications or personal psychotherapy. *
I understand that Dr. Brodhecker is not assuming transfer of care and is not my patient’s psychiatrist during this program. *