Healing Pathways: Art, Horses & EMDR

Where It All Began…

As an avid rider and a descendant of horse and mule trainers, I’ve always felt the deep, healing connection between humans and horses. Growing up surrounded by these animals, I witnessed their unique ability to soothe, teach, and create a bond that transcends words. But it wasn’t until my journey into equine-assisted psychotherapy that I truly began to understand the depth of this healing relationship. Interestingly, my path into this field began through the lens of expressive arts, and this combination of equine-assisted therapy and expressive arts has become a core part of my healing practice today.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Meets EMDR

Equine-assisted psychotherapy is a powerful tool on its own, but when combined with expressive arts and alternative forms of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the therapeutic process becomes even more dynamic and transformational. EMDR is a well-known trauma therapy, but I’ve found that it can take on many different forms, offering clients multiple ways to access their healing process.

Bilateral Stimulation, tactile sensations, visual stimulation & rhythmic body movements

In my work, I often incorporate alternative forms of EMDR that blend beautifully with equine-assisted therapy. These alternatives can include bilateral stimulation (BLS) using various methods like tactile sensations (e.g., felting a stone, using a hand drum, or tapping a horse), visual stimulation (e.g., guiding a person’s gaze from side to side while they process somatic sensations and events), or even rhythmic body movements (bilateral movement or walking with the horse). The combination of movement and EMDR techniques allows for a more holistic approach to trauma healing, one that engages both the body and the mind in ways that traditional EMDR might not.

For example, while working with horses, I often guide clients through interactive bilateral stimulation by encouraging them to walk with the horse in a rhythmic manner, or to focus on the horse’s movement as it mirrors their own. This can be a powerful form of EMDR because the motion of walking, riding, or simply observing the horse’s steady rhythm can help clients process memories, emotions, and body sensations that are deeply embedded in the nervous system. This type of movement helps regulate the body and mind, making it easier to process thoughts, feelings, and perceptions at a somatic level.

In addition, I incorporate art-based EMDR into my work, where the client creates drawings, paintings, or sculptures while engaging in bilateral movement. The creative process itself can be a powerful tool for integrating experiences that are difficult to express verbally. As the client uses bilateral movement to create, I guide them to pendulate and titrate their “felt” experience. This combination of creative expression with bilateral stimulation allows for deep emotional processing in a way that feels safe and intuitive.

Since 2010, I’ve been fortunate to work with community-driven programs deeply rooted in indigenous traditions, and these programs are often situated within communities where traditional art forms and nature-based healing are honored. In these settings, I bring together equine-assisted therapy, expressive arts, and alternative forms of EMDR to create a culturally responsive healing space. For example, in indigenous communities, we might incorporate traditional drumming or storytelling along with equine-assisted therapy to help individuals reconnect with their roots while processing trauma. These experiences offer a rich, multifaceted approach to healing that’s sensitive to cultural needs while still using universal therapeutic principles.

In my work, community is at the heart of the healing process. The connections that form during these sessions—whether it’s with the horses, the land, or the people involved—are profound. I believe that true healing happens not only within the individual, but within the collective, and through collaborative experiences we can inspire a deep sense of belonging and shared purpose. This is why I continue to integrate horses, expressive arts, and alternative EMDR techniques into my therapy practice. They provide a safe, nonverbal, and often transformative way for clients to access their deepest wounds—and their most profound healing.

Whether it’s through the rhythmic movement of a horse, the creation of a personal artwork, or the use of alternative EMDR techniques, I’ve seen firsthand how this holistic approach facilitates meaningful change. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be linear—it’s about co-creating space for transformation, connection, and empowerment. And sometimes, the most profound shifts happen when we blend the therapeutic power of nature, animals, and creative expression with modern healing practices like EMDR.

If you would like to work together for individual healing or have interest in my work you can contact me directly or book a consultation here.

Meet

Elizabeth Warson

A therapist, teacher, and consultant who specializes in EMDR, Equine & Expressive Arts therapy in Northern Colorado.

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