Take Heart Counseling & Equine Assisted Therapy
Some kids carry big things in small bodies — big emotions, big worries, big experiences that haven’t found words yet. You might see it in meltdowns that seem to come out of nowhere, a child who’s suddenly more withdrawn, or one who just doesn’t seem like themselves lately. And when a child can’t talk about what’s going on, it’s hard to know how to help.
That’s exactly where play comes in — and where horses come in too. There’s a place where your child doesn’t have to explain anything to start feeling safe again.
Free Rein is a six-week equine-assisted play therapy group for children ages 5–12, offered separately for younger children (5–8) and older children (9–12) so each gets developmentally appropriate support. Led by a licensed professional counselor trained in play therapy, this group brings evidence-based play therapy techniques into the ranch environment alongside our gentle horse partners.
Free Rein is a non-riding group — the focus isn’t on horsemanship, it’s on connection. No horse experience necessary, just a child who’s ready to play.
Children don’t process big feelings the way adults do — they process through play. Play therapy gives kids a language for what they can’t yet say out loud, using expressive, imaginative, and movement-based experiences instead of conversation.
Horses add something talk therapy alone can’t reach. They respond honestly to a child’s energy and emotional state in real time, without needing words to understand what’s going on. Pairing that natural responsiveness with the intentional techniques of play therapy creates a therapeutic experience that meets kids exactly where they are — expressive, embodied, and completely non-threatening.
Sessions are built around guided play and purposeful interaction with the herd, giving children a hands-on way to build:
Each session is led by a licensed professional counselor alongside a certified equine professional, creating a structured yet nurturing space where kids can explore and just be kids again.
You know when something’s off with your child, even when you can’t get them to talk about it. That’s normal — most kids don’t have the words yet, and asking them to find those words before they’re ready can add pressure instead of relief.
Play therapy works because it doesn’t ask a child to explain themselves first. It gives them a way to work through what they’re carrying — trauma, anxiety, social struggles, big transitions — through something that already feels natural to them: play. Add horses to that, and you get a space where healing doesn’t feel like therapy at all. It just feels like a good day at the ranch.
Free Rein runs as a six-week seasonal group, offered separately for children ages 5–8 and 9–12, with sessions at our ranch in Wernersville, PA. It’s a non-riding group focused on connection and play. We serve families throughout Berks County, Lancaster County, Lebanon County, and the greater Reading, PA area.
For current dates, pricing, and to register, visit our Seasonal Groups page.
Your child doesn’t need the right words to start healing — just space to play, explore, and feel safe. If you’ve been looking for something that meets your child where words fall short, Free Rein might be exactly what you’ve been searching for.
To learn more or take the next step, reach out to us today.
At Take Heart Counseling, we’ve seen how meaningful progress can come from starting in calm, quiet spaces. For many families, this gentle approach helps children feel safer, more focused, and less overwhelmed. Wondering whether equine-assisted psychotherapy could support your child’s emotional growth? We’d be glad to talk through what might work best. Let’s find the right path together and start a conversation.
