Dream Catchers is now offering Equine Integrated Art Therapy through our Hooves & HeART’s program!

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy uses art making and art work in combination with therapy to facilitate healing and growth. Art Therapy can increase self-esteem, enhance problem-solving skills, develop coping skills, and support cognitive growth. One goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being. Art Therapy practice requires knowledge of visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms) and the creative process, as well as of human development, psychological, and counseling theories and techniques. No artistic skill or experience is required to participate in and benefit from art therapy.  (American Art Therapy Association 2013)

Why Horses & Art Therapy Go Together

Equine Integrated Art Therapy allows humans to connect with horses in a very unique and special way.  Horses can be windows to the heart and art can go where words cannot.  Equine Integrated Art Therapy blends connecting with horses and engaging with art making into a balanced and unified therapy experience.

Do I need to have art or horse experience to participate in this program?

No prior art or horse experience is necessary to participate in our equine integrated art therapy program.

Will I need my own supplies?

Dream Catchers will provide all of your art supplies so you do not need to purchase your own.

What is the cost?

$85.00 for each 1 Hour Session

Does insurance cover Art Therapy?

Insurance may reimburse for art therapy.  It is always good practice to contact your insurance company to verify your benefit coverage before beginning services.  Services are billed as art therapy.  Dream Catchers does not bill insurance companies or accept third party payment.  Clients are required to pay for services and submit to their own insurance carriers for reimbursement.  We will provide you with an invoice so that you may do this.

Is financial assistance available?

Scholarships based on financial need may be available upon further application.

How do I know if Art Therapy is right for me/my child?

Contact our programs office at 757-566-1775 and we will help to answer any additional questions. Every client will need to complete an application that includes a physician’s release for services.

Current Available Appointment Slots

Our Art Therapist works with clients on Friday afternoons. Please contact us for available appointment times.

Susan Garnett is our Registered Art Therapist and has a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA., where she earned specializations in trauma informed art therapy and depth psychology. It was while working on her thesis at EVMS, that she combined her lifelong passion for horses with her love of art and its healing properties and developed the model for Equine Integrated Art Therapy that will be used at Dream Catchers. Her experience working as an PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning at Dream Catchers has shown her how horses can be windows to the heart and form relationships that help the healing process. Her experiences with adolescents in residential treatment and with children and adults as a resident in counseling at a private practice have also shown her how art can go where words cannot and reveal and express what is difficult with words alone.