Our History
Established in 2005 by April Cloutier, LCSW who believes individuals are most effective in improving their mental health and wellness when having options in counseling to engage their body and mind. She incorporated horses into the counseling process and therapeutic milieu through equine assisted psychotherapy. As the horses require a farm environment, naturally the therapeutic program grew to include other animals, nature, farm/agriculturally based activities. Therapeutic activities that emphasize connection to one’s environment lead to a more natural way of mental/emotional growth, wellness and healing. An expansion into animal assisted therapy and green therapy is the current therapeutic modalities in this practice.
In 2017 Painted Horses LLC relocated to Freedom Trail Farm in Warren Maine. This allows Painted Horses LLC to have the option to expand services. In addition, individuals who chose to explore equestrian services further through riding lessons may do so through Freedom Trail Farm.
Our Facility
Painted Horses is Located at Freedom Trail Farm in Warren Maine. Named to honor it’s history, this farm is said to have been part of the Under Ground Railroad, sheltering slaves escaping North to Freedom. This can be seen by 4 small hidden rooms in the main home. The facility has often been described as “Nice”, “Beautiful”, “a place so public yet so private”, a “place to be relaxed, feel connected, and safe”, “a place with good energy”. The facility boasts “The Big Barn”, with 3 stories, a group room and 4 horse stalls. Across the barn yard in the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy area we have 7 stalls, and a 60 X 40 indoor arena. We have a waiting area and 2 offices where we can hold traditional counseling sessions. We are handicap accessible.
Our Credentials
- Painted Horses LLC is currently a group of counselors and equine specialist who have gathered together to provide traditional counseling and specialize in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
- We practice our specialty in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy based on the EAGALA Model. This model draws from many evidence-based mental health practices and theories to provide experiential, solution-focused treatment interventions
- Painted Horses, LLC staff are committed members of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) since 2005, we are an active part of this premiere institution dedicated to improving the mental health of individuals, families and groups around the world by setting the standard of excellence in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning.
- At Painted Horses LLC, each clinician is independently licensed (or working towards independent licensing) with the state of Maine in their chosen mental health field. Each equine specialist meets the EAGALA Model EAP criteria for equine specialist and is working towards or has obtained EAGALA Model Certification. Both counselors and equine specialist engage in obtaining continuing education in mental health and horse related subjects.
- Painted Horses LLC is working towards becoming a Distinguished Member of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). This designation will denote our ‘adherence to exceptional standards of business and practice in EAGALA Model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning’.
- Painted Horses LLC, is the only provider of counseling services that incorporate ground-based mental health services with horses in Central Maine.
- In traditional-in office-counseling our counselors are eclectic in their approach in their work with individuals and families utilizing various treatment interventions from DBT, Structural approaches, behavior modification plans, experiential, reflective…. depending on the situation and participants needs at the time.
- At Painted Horses LLC, we are committed to developing each participant’s full potential. Every session in the office or in the arena with horses is unique, designed specifically to address each participants individual treatment needs and goals.