Goals & Services
The goals for our therapeutic riding program are to help children and adults gain relationship skills, increase their self-esteem, gain self-awareness while having fun learning basic horsemanship skills. We focus on the client’s approach to problem solving life skills with an emphasis on exploring and learning new healthy life skills. We offer a holistic approach to mental health. We provide individual, couple and family, group and individual sessions. We provide “traditional talk” counseling services as well.
ESP — Equine Specialized Psychotherapy
Mended Hearts is located in a beautiful rural setting for your equine sessions. Mended Hearts has seven horses to choose from for your therapy. We have horses in many different sizes to accommodate all age groups. Some clients create a special bond with one horse that they wish to work with each session and other clients prefer to rotate between all the horses. Either way we are sure that you will enjoy the equine therapy experience.
Mended Hearts has an outdoor arena and large pasture that is used for riding when the weather is favorable. When inclement weather moves in your session will be held in our indoor arena. This arena is heated during the winter months eliminating a disruption in your therapy program.
Mended Hearts would be happy to give you a tour of facilities. Call 309-383-4323 to schedule an appointment.
We also offer “traditional talk therapies” for people of all ages
Individual Sessions
Your session could be held in one of our private offices or outside on our grounds. Mended Hearts has 12.5 beautiful acres to enjoy if you desire a stroll while meeting with your counselor. Our play room is often used with our younger clients, allowing them to relax and open up during a session.
Couples
Mended Hearts has a large room with comfortable sofas and a fireplace that is often used during couples counseling. Privacy is maintained while enjoying the relaxing atmosphere this room provides. More intimate offices are available as well. Our goal at Mended Hearts is to provide you with a counseling session catered to your needs.
Families
Family sessions at Mended Hearts are successful due to our diverse setting. Children can enjoy our play room if parents wish to speak to the counselor privately during a portion of the session. The large family room can accommodate several people comfortably. The smaller individual office can also be used if one person wishes to speak to the counselor alone.
Play Therapy
Mended Hearts offers several different types of play therapy. We have one room dedicated to play. Toys for all ages are available for children to use while in a session. Mended Hearts also has a sand tray, complete with accessories if a child chooses sand therapy. And of course there is our beautiful outdoors that is often the “office” of choice for our younger clients. Catching butterflies, looking for frogs, or digging in our sand hill are just a few of the activities to enjoy during a session.
Dog Therapy
Mended Hearts has recently acquired a therapy dog that is available for both children and adults. Daffy is a cute pug that was carefully chosen for her role here at Mended Hearts. She is extremely successful in giving comfort to our clients.
Day Camps and Field Trips
Day Camps
Every year Mended Hearts holds a day camp for teen age girls (15-18) who are current clients. Activities, which vary from year to year include, but are not limited to, improving social skills, attendance of horse shows in the area, learning about horse/stable management and care. These are activities that increase the participant’s knowledge of horse riding, stable care and enhance developmental skills, self-confidence and responsibility.
Field Trips
Mended Hearts is a wonderful field trip destination for schools, churches, scouts and other organizations. Visitors tour the facilities and meet the horses. Schedule yours today by calling 309-383-4323.