LEXIE GLISSON therapy & wellness lcsw

Equine Therapy in Boulder & Golden for Emotional Healing and Personal Growth 

Equine therapy in Boulder offers a unique and experiential approach to mental health support by using interactions with horses to foster emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing. Through guided experiences with horses, individuals can explore emotional challenges, build resilience, and develop healthier patterns in a supportive therapeutic setting. 


As a trusted provider of equine therapy in Colorado, Lexie Glisson combines clinical expertise with a lifelong connection to horses to create meaningful experiences that support lasting emotional well-being. 

Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is a form of experiential therapy that includes interaction with horses to promote emotional growth and healing. This approach is particularly effective for individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, and relational challenges. 


Unlike traditional office-based therapy, horse therapy in Boulder allows individuals to engage in hands-on experiences that encourage insight, self-reflection, and personal transformation. Horses naturally respond to human emotions and behaviors, creating opportunities for clients to better understand themselves and their relationships. 


As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified equine specialist, I integrate my extensive personal and professional experience with horses to facilitate healing, empowerment, and emotional growth through guided equine interactions. 

What Is Equine Assisted Therapy? 

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Benefits of Equine Therapy 

Equine therapy offers a unique and experiential approach to emotional wellness, personal development, and mental health support. Through guided interactions with horses, individuals can gain valuable insights, develop healthier coping skills, and build stronger connections with themselves and others.

Enhances Emotional

Awareness 

Horses are highly sensitive to human emotions and often respond to nonverbal cues. This immediate feedback can help individuals recognize emotional patterns, understand their feelings more clearly, and develop greater self-awareness. 

Reduces Stress and

Anxiety 

Spending time with horses in a calm outdoor environment can encourage relaxation and mindfulness. Equine therapy provides opportunities to slow down, stay present, and manage feelings of stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. 

Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem 

Successfully interacting with and caring for a horse can foster a sense of accomplishment and personal empowerment. These experiences often help individuals develop greater confidence in their abilities and decision-making skills. 

Improves Communication and Relationship Skills 

Working with horses requires clear communication, trust, and healthy boundaries. These skills can translate into everyday relationships, helping individuals improve interpersonal connections and navigate social interactions more effectively. 

Supports Trauma Recovery and Emotional Healing 

Equine therapy offers a nontraditional therapeutic setting where individuals can process difficult experiences at their own pace. The presence of horses can create a sense of safety and connection that supports emotional healing and resilience. 

Encourages Personal Growth and Resilience 

By stepping outside of familiar routines and engaging in experiential learning, individuals can develop problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a stronger sense of self. Equine therapy often promotes meaningful personal growth that extends beyond the therapy environment. 

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Equine Assisted Therapy can benefit individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Working with an experienced equine therapist in Boulder ensures that sessions are guided by both clinical expertise and specialized equine-assisted therapy training. 


Many clients seek horse therapy in Boulder when they are experiencing: 

  • Anxiety or chronic stress 
  • Depression 
  • Trauma or PTSD 
  • Relationship difficulties 
  • Life transitions 
  • Grief and loss 
  • Low self-esteem 
  • Burnout 
  • Emotional disconnection 
  • Personal growth challenges 


This approach can be particularly valuable for individuals who have not fully connected with traditional talk therapy and are seeking a more experiential path toward healing. 

Who Can Benefit From Horse Therapy in Boulder? 

Every session is tailored to the individual's goals, challenges, and therapeutic needs. Most sessions focus on groundwork activities rather than riding, making equestrian therapy in Boulder accessible to people with no previous horse experience. 


Participants may engage in activities such as observing horses, grooming, leading, or completing structured exercises designed to encourage self-awareness and emotional growth. 


During a Typical Session, You May: 

  • Spend time observing horse behavior and interactions 
  • Participate in guided groundwork activities 
  • Practice communication and boundary-setting skills 
  • Explore emotional responses in a supportive environment 
  • Develop mindfulness and present-moment awareness 
  • Reflect on experiences with the guidance of a therapist 
  • Identify patterns that may influence relationships and daily life 

What to Expect During an Equine Therapy Session 

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Begin Your Equine Healing Journey 

If you are looking for compassionate, professional equine therapy in Boulder, Lexie Glisson Therapy & Wellness offers a unique opportunity to explore healing through connection with horses, nature, and yourself. 



Through personalized equine-assisted therapy experiences, you can develop greater self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience, and discover new pathways toward growth and well-being. 


Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Equine Assisted Therapy?

    Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is a form of experiential therapy that includes interaction with horses to promote emotional growth and healing. It is particularly effective for individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational challenges.


    As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a certified equine specialist, I integrate my profound personal experiences with horses to facilitate recovery and empowerment through guided equine interaction.

  • What is My Connection to Equine-Assisted Therapy?

    Growing up in a barn, I developed a deep, intuitive connection with horses. This early experience became foundational to my therapeutic practice.


    My path shifted dramatically at 14 after a severe accident. While I could no longer compete, I found healing and purpose by exploring deeper connections with horses and nature.

  • Why Do Horses Make Such Effective Therapy Partners?

    Horses are uniquely sensitive to human emotions, offering immediate feedback on a client's feelings and behavior. This makes them ideal therapy companions. By mirroring the client's emotions, horses help individuals become more self-aware and facilitate the healing process.


    The bond between humans and horses spans millennia. Horses have long symbolized strength and resilience in many cultures. This rich historical context adds depth and meaning to equine-assisted therapy (EAT) interactions.

  • What are the Benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy?

    Equine-assisted therapy offers a holistic approach to healing, fostering both emotional and physical well-being. Clients engage in activities with horses that promote emotional and psychological growth, such as uncovering and addressing hidden emotions, reducing anxiety, and enhancing self-esteem. Simultaneously, the physical interaction with horses during therapy sessions improves motor skills, coordination, and overall physical health.

  • How Does Equine-Assisted Therapy Work?

    In a typical session with me, therapy is customized to each individual's needs and primarily involves groundwork with horses, without any riding. As a certified equine specialist and trained clinical social worker, I personally guide each session, combining my expertise in both fields to ensure a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic environment.

  • What Are My Qualifications and Approach to Equine-Assisted Therapy?

    In a typical session with me, therapy is customized to each individual's needs and primarily involves groundwork with horses, without any riding. As a certified equine specialist and trained clinical social worker, I personally guide each session, combining my expertise in both fields to ensure a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic environment.

  • Who Can Benefit From Equine-Assisted Therapy?

    EAT is suitable for individuals of all ages, particularly those who have not found relief through traditional talk therapy.

  • What Safety Measures Are Used in Your Equine -Assisted Sessions?

    All interactions with horses are conducted under strict safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of both the client and the animals.

  • Is equine therapy only for people with mental health conditions?

    No. Equine therapy can benefit anyone seeking greater self-awareness, improved coping skills, stronger relationships, or support during personal and professional life changes. Many individuals participate as part of their personal development journey. 

VIDEO

Equine Therapy

Lexie Glisson explores how equine therapy and working with horses helps people improve their emotional and mental well-being.

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Additional Modalities Offered

This therapy integrates interactions with animals to enhance emotional and physical healing in therapeutic settings.

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Nature-Based Therapy

This therapy uses nature to enhance wellness, helping individuals reconnect with nature and improve their mental and physical health.

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EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy aimed at helping individuals recover from trauma and distressing life events.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

This therapy integrates interactions with animals to enhance emotional and physical healing in therapeutic settings.

A person in a beige sweater sitting in a sunlit, leaf-covered forest, gently petting a light-colored dog.
A person in a beige sweater sitting in a sunlit, leaf-covered forest, gently petting a light-colored dog.

This therapy integrates interactions with animals to enhance emotional and physical healing in therapeutic settings.

A person with reddish hair wearing a hat and patterned clothes sits on a wooden bench outdoors in a sunlit area.

Relational Therapy

Enhances interpersonal relationships by exploring and addressing patterns in how individuals interact with others.

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Mind-Body Therapy

Combines tailored yoga practices and mindfulness to improve physical and mental health.

Other Modalities

Additional therapeutic techniques that support diverse healing and personal growth needs.

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About me

I help individuals in the Denver and Boulder areas rediscover their authentic selves through mindfulness, movement, and interactions with animals and nature. I offer Equus coaching and both individual and group therapy sessions, available online or in-person at various Front Range locations in Colorado. Whether you choose virtual sessions or in-person experiences, I am here to guide your journey toward personal empowerment and healing.

Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted Therapy

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