MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIES

Mental Health Services

Therapy on a ranch can be more engaging for youth than treatment in a traditional office setting. At Promise Ranch, we offer Mental Health Counseling to children and teens within Castle Rock and our surrounding communities. We also offer counseling for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Promise Ranch provides a safe environment for exploration and healing.

Individual Mental Health Counseling

Our Licensed Clinicians have years of experience and a passion for working with youth and young adults.

We serve:

  • Youth ages 5-17
  • Young Adults with Neurodiversities or Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities

We work with a variety of issues, including:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Developmental Challenges
    • Trauma & PTSD
    • Grief & Loss
    • Gender Issues
    • Relational Difficulties
    • Interpersonal Skills
    • Life Transition Challenges
    • Self-Esteem and Confidence

Groups

We offer group therapy and Ranch-based opportunities for kids, teens and young adults experiencing issues such as feeling socially isolated, anxious, shy, bullying, peer rejection, anger management, and identity conflicts.

Participating in group sessions can benefit youth as they grow and develop intellectually and emotionally. Practicing skills in a safe environment with a supportive group of peers can help youth generalize new skills in school, social situations and families. 

Animal-Assisted Therapy & Equine Interactions

During mental health counseling at Promise Ranch, depending on the therapist’s assessment and the client’s needs, therapy may include interactions with one of our animal partners. 

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal who meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process.

Our four-legged partners at Promise Ranch are horses, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs! Professionally-facilitated animal-assisted interactions encourage a unique human-animal bond and can create lasting social, emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual and psychological changes. Research shows the mental health benefits of animal-assisted therapy: 

  • The simple act of petting animals releases an automatic relaxation response.
    • Humans interacting with animals have found that petting the animal promotes the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin- all hormones that can play a part in elevating moods.
  • Lowers anxiety and helps people relax.
  • Provides comfort.
  • Reduces loneliness.
  • Increases mental stimulation.
    • Assists in recall of memories.
  • Can provide an escape or happy distraction.
  • Can act as catalysts in the therapy process.
    • May help “break the ice.”
    • May reduce the initial resistance that might accompany therapy.

       

Our largest therapy partners are horses! Some of the unique benefits of equine-assisted therapy are:

  • Horses provide an emotional mirror with which to see ourselves and provide an honest reflection of how others might view and respond to us when we are experiencing different emotions.
  • They help to create a hands-on and tangible learning experience when working on building relationships, communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, observation, and non-verbal skills.
  • They can also assist us in practicing mindfulness, building confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness. 
  • Due to their own natural survival instincts, horses can assist those recovering from trauma and/or PTSD to feel supported and understood.

An additional option at Promise Ranch is to have an Equine Specialist join the therapeutic session with the Licensed Therapist, client, and horse. An Equine Specialist is a certified professional trained to provide feedback on the horse’s behavior as it relates to the content of the session. If you are interested in this option, our Mental Health Therapists can discuss this possibility with you during your appointment. 

To get started in our program, please fill out this form and we will contact you for an appointment to see if mental health therapy on the Ranch is a good fit for your child or teen.

CONTACT US HERE

Testimonials

10-year-old Cora said: “I like (coming to Promise Ranch) because of the horses and the teachers, and how the teachers help you through stuff and how they talk to you and make you feel calm and get through your feelings. I like it because I get to play games and if I don’t want to talk to my parents I can talk to one of my teachers here and feel comfortable and get help with something I am struggling with. I like that the horses can also help you stay calm sometimes. If you like horses it might be good to come here. I’ve learned about the horses, how to tell how they feel sometimes, when they are feeling something you can tell mostly by their ears, and their facial expressions.”