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Writer's pictureCJ Gereau

The Healing Power of Child Play Therapy and Equine Therapy in Marin County

Updated: Dec 25, 2024


Children communicate through play. For many, words fall short of expressing the depth of their emotions, fears, and inner worlds. Play therapy provides a safe space for children to explore, process, and heal, harnessing the natural language of play. When paired with equine therapy—a unique modality involving therapeutic interactions with horses—the healing potential expands dramatically. Here in Marin County, surrounded by serene natural landscapes, these approaches come together to create a powerful framework for supporting children’s emotional and developmental needs.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses toys, art materials, games, and role-playing to help children express themselves and work through psychosocial challenges. It is especially effective for children facing anxiety, trauma, grief, behavioral issues, or developmental challenges. Through play, children externalize inner conflicts, experiment with new ways of being, and build self-awareness in a developmentally appropriate way.

What Is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), involves therapeutic work with horses to promote emotional growth and healing. Horses are highly sensitive animals, attuned to human emotions and intentions. They respond authentically to behavior, creating a powerful mirror for emotional states and relational patterns. In Marin County, with access to beautiful open spaces, equine therapy offers children an opportunity to connect with these gentle therapy animals in a natural, grounding environment.

Why Combine Play Therapy with Equine Therapy?

Combining play therapy and equine therapy offers children a comprehensive, embodied approach to healing. Play engages their imagination and creativity, while equine therapy deepens emotional regulation and builds relational skills. Together, these modalities can address a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges in ways traditional talk therapy cannot.

Key Benefits for Children in Marin County:

  1. Nonverbal Expression Both play therapy and equine therapy provide children with avenues to express themselves without words. Whether it’s through storytelling or bonding with a horse through body language and sensorimotor interventions, children find safe ways to communicate their emotions and experiences.

  2. Emotional Regulation in Nature The natural beauty of Marin County enhances the calming effects of equine therapy. Horses help regulate a child’s nervous system, and play therapy complements this by encouraging exploration of feelings in a safe and creative space.

  3. Building Trust and Connection Horses provide consistent, nonjudgmental relationships that can be particularly healing for children with attachment challenges. Activities like grooming, leading, or simply being present with a horse help children practice trust and connection in a tangible, nurturing way.

  4. Empowerment Through Experiential Learning Play therapy fosters problem-solving and self-expression, while equine therapy builds responsibility, focus, and confidence. Together, they help children develop a strong sense of agency and self-efficacy.

  5. Trauma Healing Marin's tranquil environment is ideal for trauma recovery. Play therapy allows children to process trauma symbolically, while equine therapy offers a somatic and relational pathway to healing, helping them reconnect with their bodies and regain a sense of safety.

What a Session Looks Like

A combined play and equine therapy session might start in the playroom, where the child uses toys or art to explore their feelings. For instance, they might choose figures from the playroom to take with them and the horse to a nature area. The themes of the child's world will come out in the play and the horse typically becomes a figure in the play and a



relational grounding force for the child to regulate, connect, cuddle or groom while these themes are explored. Often children build on these themes week to week, revisiting stories and games with the horse as they process symbolically their inner work with the relational saftey of a non judgemental animal for support.

Who Can Benefit?

This integrative approach can support children experiencing:

  • Anxiety or depression

  • Attachment challenges

  • Trauma or PTSD

  • Grief and loss

  • Social or behavioral difficulties

  • Autism spectrum disorders

Final Thoughts

The integration of child play therapy and equine therapy creates a dynamic and engaging approach to healing. By combining creativity, connection, and the wisdom of horses, children develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and confidence. For families in Marin County seeking a therapeutic option beyond traditional methods, this unique blend offers an option that can especially support children who are not interested in therapy in office settings.


If you’re curious about how play and equine therapy might help your child, reach out today. Together, we can create a nurturing space for your child to heal and grow.

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