World Mental Health Day
This World Mental Health Day, we’re focusing on the importance of finding the right mental health support. Whether you’re beginning your journey or looking for new resources, knowing where to start can make all the difference. From traditional office-based therapy to innovative approaches like psychotherapy services incorporating horses, having access to the right resources is crucial for any treatment journey.
In the United States, traditional psychotherapy is often the first step for many. With structured, one-on-one support, therapy can be tailored to individual needs. However, finding a therapist who fits your specific concerns—whether it’s trauma, anxiety, or depression—can feel overwhelming.
Start Here: Finding the Right Therapist
Here’s how to get started on your journey to finding the right mental health support:
- Research Online: Use online directories to find qualified, licensed therapists. Psychology Today is one popular resource. When seeking mental health services incorporating horses specifically, type in keywords, such as “equine-assisted” in your online search. Be sure to look for practitioner certification and training specific to mental health and personal growth services incorporating horses to ensure professional standards. The following are certified practitioner directories from our Premier Partners to start your search:
- Ask for Referrals: Speak with your primary care physician, friends, or family for recommendations. Getting recommendations from those who have had positive experiences with therapists can be a great starting point.
- Check Specializations: If you have specific mental health concerns such as trauma, anxiety, or PTSD, ensure that your therapist has experience treating those issues. Additionally, if you’re a part of a specific identity group, finding a therapist who understands your lived experience can make a big difference.
- Schedule a Consultation: Some therapists offer free consultations to help determine if they’re the right fit for you. Use this time to ask questions about their experience and approach.
- Affordability: Many organizations provide scholarships, grants, or sliding-scale options for mental health services not covered by insurance. Explore our list of Charity Partners to find an organization near you.
Key Questions to Ask Your Therapist:
- What’s your experience with my condition?
- What therapeutic approaches do you use?
- What are your licensure and certifications? This helps identify their professional qualifications to best meet your objectives. If they incorporate horses, be sure they have certification from a reputable organization.
- Do you offer virtual or in-person sessions?
- What does a typical session look like?
- Are sessions reimbursable through your insurance, or do you offer scholarships, reduced pricing, or sliding scale fees?
To increase access to mental health services incorporating horses, many organizations have options such as insurance reimbursement, sliding scale fees, or financial aid. Nonprofit organizations often offer free services to vulnerable populations, such as economically disadvantaged communities, veterans and first responders, and homeless populations.
Horses for Mental Health was established to uplift and support these remarkable programs by expanding access to essential funding and resources. This empowers them to broaden access to these life-changing services, realizing our collective vision that all mental health needs are met worldwide.
This World Mental Health Day, remember that taking the first step is crucial. Whether through traditional, office-based therapy, support groups, or innovative approaches like psychotherapy sessions incorporating horses, there’s a path to healing that’s right for everyone. Explore the resources available, ask the right questions, and take that first step today.
Special thanks to Darci Lynne for advocating for Horses for Mental Health
We’re thrilled to announce that singer, songwriter, ventriloquist, and “America’s Got Talent” winner @itsdarcilynne advocates for Horses for Mental Health during #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek.
Darci’s support helps HMH expand our reach and her advocacy helps make mental health programs involving horses more accessible to those in need.
To view Darci’s post and show support, visit her page, here.
