Equine-Assisted EMDR Therapy in South Kingstown, Rhode Island

Equine-assisted EMDR is a trauma therapy approach that combines EMDR procedures with ground-based, clinically guided interactions with a horse. 

At Emerald Heart Counseling, adults work with Jessica Veroline, LICSW, and her horse, Joe in an outdoor or indoor setting in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. 

Emerald Heart Counseling offers EQUILATERAL™: The Equine-Assisted EMDR Protocol®, developed by Sarah Jenkins, LPC, which is an animal-assisted approach to EMDR therapy. It emphasizes appropriate training, ethical practice, and the welfare of both clients and horses. 

Equine-assisted EMDR offers an embodied way to process trauma that may feel difficult to shift through talk therapy alone. 

For my own therapy clients, Equine-Assisted EMDR may be incorporated into treatment when appropriate. 

For individuals already receiving EMDR from another therapist, sessions focus on phase 2 preparation of grounding and emotional regulation, rather than trauma processing. 

No riding or prior horse experience is required. 

Horses are highly sensitive to their surroundings and responsive to subtle changes in movement, body language, and energy. 

Their social awareness and nonjudgmental presence may help you notice physical sensations, emotions, relational patterns, and nervous-system responses.    

During your session, we will explore what you notice, how you respond and what the experience brings up for you.

Through this work, you may develop greater:

• Connection: Rebuilding trust and a sense of relational safety.

• Regulation: Practicing grounding, calming, and nervous-system stabilization.

• Insight: Recognizing emotional and relational patterns.

• Empowerment: Practicing boundaries, choice, and assertiveness.

Sessions take place outdoors in Joe’s pasture or at the indoor arena at a horse stable in South Kingstown. All work is done from the ground. 

Depending on your comfort level, needs, and therapeutic goals, a session may include:

• Approaching and connecting with Joe
• Leading or walking alongside Joe
• Observing Joe’s behavior and your responses
• Brushing Joe
• Practicing boundaries and communication
• Noticing physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts
• Grounding through Joe’s presence and the surrounding environment

You are never required to touch or approach Joe before you feel ready. 

Each session is tailored to your comfort level and clinical needs, with EMDR protocols thoughtfully integrated and at an appropriate pace.  

For some people, working alongside Joe can make trauma therapy feel more connected, grounded, and experiential than office-based therapy alone.  

 Equine-assisted EMDR is available for adults who: 

• Need support regulating their nervous system.
• Feel stuck in talk therapy.
• Want a more embodied and experiential approach.
• Feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure how to put their experience into words.

A consultation can help determine whether this approach is clinically appropriate for your needs. 

Participation does not guarantee a particular outcome, and suitability is determined through clinical assessment.  

Equine-assisted EMDR offers a gentle and experiential path toward healing, particularly for people who feel disconnected, anxious, or stuck in talk therapy.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk briefly about what's bringing you to therapy, answer your questions, and see whether we're a good fit.