FAQ’s

Whispering Soul is a holistic mental health practice specializing in equine psychotherapy while also offering:

• Individual Counseling

• Nature-Based Talk Therapy

• Equine Psychotherapy

• Telehealth Services

• Custom & Group Programs

• Holistic Wellness Experiences & Community Programming

Our goal is to provide flexible, individualized care that meets you where you are.

Pathways are structured, supportive starting points designed to help you move from overwhelm toward regulation, connection, and growth. Each pathway provides a clear framework, immediate skills, and therapeutic momentum.

Read more about our pathways in the “Pathways” section of our website.

No prior horse experience is needed.

You don’t need riding skills or any special knowledge to begin. You simply show up as you are and we’ll take care of the rest!

Absolutely. Your safety and the well-being of our horses is always our highest priority. Every session is facilitated by trained professionals who carefully guide each interaction.

It’s completely normal to feel unsure at first. Many clients begin with hesitation, and that’s okay. We move at your pace, never pushing beyond what feels manageable. You’re invited into connection gradually, often starting with observation, grounding, and simply sharing space.

Horses are incredibly attuned and responsive. They tend to mirror nervous system states in a way that supports awareness and regulation, allowing confidence to build organically over time.

You don’t need prior experience. Just a willingness to begin where you are.

Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor work. Layers are recommended when needed, as most sessions take place on the farm and weather may vary.

Most sessions are individual to protect your privacy, maintain therapeutic focus, and ensure safety. This allows the space to remain fully centered on your process.

Group or family sessions are offered only when they are intentionally structured and clinically facilitated for that purpose. 

Yes. Sessions and pathways are offered year-round, weather permitting.

In cases of severe weather, sessions may be rescheduled or conducted via telehealth when appropriate.

Whispering Soul is currently a self-pay practice and does not directly bill insurance.

This allows us greater flexibility in creating individualized treatment plans and offering services that extend beyond traditional office-based therapy, including equine psychotherapy, nature-based counseling, and holistic wellness experiences.

For clients with out-of-network benefits, we are happy to provide a superbill that can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

We understand that cost can sometimes be a barrier to accessing care. To help make services more accessible, we offer limited sliding scale options and opportunities to apply for support through our Healing the Herd Initiative, a community-supported scholarship program designed to help individuals and families access services who may otherwise face financial barriers to care.

If you have questions about fees or available financial support options, please reach out. We are happy to discuss your needs and help you determine the path that feels right for you.

Whispering Soul provides services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups.

We recognize that every stage of life brings unique experiences and challenges, and our approach is tailored to meet the developmental and individual needs of each person we work with.

Absolutely.

Many of our clients are beginning therapy for the very first time. Starting can feel overwhelming, but you don't need to know exactly what to expect or have all the answers.

Our role is to create a welcoming, supportive space where you can explore your goals at a pace that feels right for you.

At Whispering Soul, we believe healing is not one-size-fits-all. While all of our clinical services are grounded in evidence-based psychotherapy, we recognize that healing can happen in many environments.

Rather than limiting therapy to a traditional office, we offer flexible approaches that may include nature-based counseling, equine psychotherapy, telehealth sessions, or a combination of services tailored to your individual needs and goals.

The Healing the Herd Initiative is a community-supported scholarship fund created to help individuals and families access mental health services when financial barriers might otherwise prevent them from receiving care.

At Whispering Soul, we believe that healing should not be limited by financial circumstances. Through the generosity of our community, this fund provides scholarship opportunities that help make holistic, trauma-informed mental health services more accessible to those seeking support.

No.

Equine psychotherapy is a specialized mental health service, and sessions take place on the ground rather than in the saddle.

While both equine psychotherapy and therapeutic riding incorporate horses into the helping process, they have different goals and are facilitated by different professionals. Equine psychotherapy focuses on mental health, emotional well-being, and personal growth.

Yes!

Many of our workshops, community events, volunteer opportunities, and wellness experiences are open to the community.

Our hope is to create a welcoming space where individuals can connect, learn, and support their well-being in a variety of ways.

No. While both involve interactions with horses, they are different services with different goals and qualifications.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a clinical mental health service provided by a trained mental health professional. Sessions are designed to address emotional, behavioral, relational, and mental health concerns such as anxiety, trauma, depression, stress, grief, and life transitions. EAP includes assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, and is integrated into your overall mental health care.

Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is generally a non-clinical, educational, or personal development service that focuses on areas such as leadership, communication, team building, and confidence. EAL services are not psychotherapy and are not intended to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.

At Whispering Soul, all clinical services are provided by a trained mental health therapist and are grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed care. Our focus remains on providing ethical, individualized mental health treatment tailored to your unique needs and goals.

The setting may look different than traditional therapy, but the quality and professionalism of care remain the same.