All About Equine:

If you've ever stood next to a 1,000 pound horse, you can understand the magic of this sensitive, massive, and emotionally intelligent creature. Horses are incredible animals, as they have a nak for sensing human emotion and responding to it in their own unique way. They are the perfect companion for therapy because they give immediate feedback to their handler's actions, and often mirror displayed feelings. That means, in order to be able to handle a horse, a human must learn to manage their own emotional responses, and gain the trust of the horse.. all in real time!

Just like humans, horses have their own personalities, need connection with others, and are communicative and expressive (through their actions and sounds). Working alongside them can help humans to improve their social skills, emotional regulation abilities, increase self confidence and strengthen problem solving skills. Click below to learn more about our Equine-Assisted Therapy Program at MFS!

A Patient Talks About The Equine Experience:

I was encouraged to participate in the Adult Equine Therapy program (led by Dr. Nicole) in conjunction with my regular, in office, therapy. I had no idea what to expect or how it could help me.

It was a life changing experience. The program pushed me to bring together all I was working on in regular therapy and incorporate it into my day to day life. It challenged my thought processes, it challenged me to let go of anxiety, and it pushed me even farther to really mourn and forgive some scars from my past, and finally live a more authentic day to day life. It gave me mindfulness skills I had no idea I was capable of. Truly, over the course of the program all the pieces came together. Moreover, the coordination between my work in weekly therapy and the equine therapy was seamless. My regular therapist/doctor and Dr. Nicole were always on the same page, which really help too.

Dr. Nicole’s lessons, challenges and compassion translated into amazing weekly growth. I was often stunned at how much my horse was in tune with me, and how the exercises and lessons enhanced and helped me heal. I adore my horse and am grateful for all she taught me. It was hard work, but I put in the effort and honesty and the rewards were huge.

Sometimes there are things that are life changing for the good. This program is one of them.

Thank you for this opportunity



Gratefully,

(name withheld for confidentiality)

A new monthly newsletter addition from our Dietitian and Eating Disorder Recovery Team.

Sports Season

It’s a busy time of the year, and for a lot of our patients, spring sports are in full swing! Most

afternoons/evenings are likely spent rushing to and from various practices, eating on the go,

getting home later, and somehow finding time for homework and adequate rest. Additionally,

sports can put a lot of pressure/stress on kids. Our Eating Disorder Treatment team has some tips

for patients and parents of busy athletes as they navigate this chaotic sports season:

For the athletes...

● Make sure you’re eating enough! More food = more energy, more energy = better

performance

● Drink enough water, especially when the weather gets warmer. Have a Gatorade,

Pedialyte, or juice on hand for those especially warm outdoor games/tournaments

(electrolytes and sugar are your friend!)

● Get enough sleep, your body will thank you!

● Say nice things about yourself

● On the days where practice/games don’t go the best, remember that you are more than

just an athlete- there are so many wonderful things about you!

For the parents of athletes...

● Praise/positive reinforcement goes a long way for your athlete’s performance and

self-esteem. If they’re talking down about themselves, try to reassure/validate and avoid

performance-related criticisms

● Have extra snacks/drinks on hand in case your athlete gets hungry, games/practices last

longer than expected, or if you get hungry/thirsty while cheering on your athlete

● Get enough sleep; again, your body will thank you!

● Remember that not everything will always go according to plan and that is okay!

● Squeeze in a little time to take care of yourself

● Practice modeling positive self-talk, your athlete will notice this more than you realize :)

I hope everyone is enjoying the transition into warmer seasons. I'm Jaclyn, a clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, phobias, self-harm, and eating disorders for all ages. I co-run the McCaskill Family Services DBT groups for teens and adults, and specialize in psychological assessment. I am also our monthly newsletter editor and social media manager!

I'd like to personally thank you for staying in touch with our practice, and hope you find this newsletter inspirational and informative. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com. I look forward to working with you!