Take Heart Counseling And Equine Assisted Therapy

Overview

Take Heart Counseling And Equine Assisted Therapy is a mental health counseling practice located on a rural property in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. The facility combines traditional therapeutic approaches with equine-assisted therapy, a specialized modality that incorporates interactions with horses as part of the counseling process. The practice operates from a ranch setting at 699 Wooltown Road, serving clients from the Berks County area and surrounding regions.

The organization functions as a faith-based counseling practice, integrating Christian principles into its therapeutic framework. This approach shapes the overall philosophy of the practice, though the facility serves clients regardless of religious background. The rural location provides a distinctive therapeutic environment that differs substantially from conventional office-based counseling settings.

Equine-Assisted Therapy Explained

Equine-assisted therapy represents a growing field within mental health treatment that utilizes horses as therapeutic partners in the counseling process. This approach operates on the principle that interactions with horses can facilitate emotional awareness, communication skills, and personal growth in ways that complement traditional talk therapy. Horses, as prey animals, are highly attuned to human emotional states and body language, which practitioners believe creates unique opportunities for therapeutic insight.

At Take Heart, therapy sessions take place in the presence of horses, allowing clients to engage with the animals as part of their treatment. This methodology differs from therapeutic riding programs, which focus primarily on the physical benefits of horseback riding. Instead, equine-assisted therapy emphasizes the relational and emotional dimensions of human-horse interaction, using these experiences as catalysts for psychological exploration and healing.

The practice employs licensed mental health professionals who have received additional training in equine-assisted therapeutic techniques. Sessions may involve grooming, leading, or simply being present with horses, with the specific activities tailored to individual client needs and therapeutic goals.

Services and Programs

Take Heart offers several distinct service categories that utilize the ranch setting and resident horses:

• Individual counseling sessions incorporating equine-assisted therapy techniques
• Horsemanship lessons designed to improve communication between riders and their horses
• Horse boarding services for private horse owners
• Therapeutic programs led by licensed counselors

The horsemanship instruction program focuses on developing the relationship between horse and handler, with particular attention to communication and understanding equine behavior. These lessons attract participants from a considerable geographic radius, with some clients traveling significant distances to attend regular sessions. The curriculum addresses common challenges in horse-human relationships, helping riders identify and correct miscommunications with their animals.

The boarding operation provides housing for privately owned horses on the property. This service operates alongside the therapeutic programs, with boarded horses maintained separately from those used in counseling sessions. The boarding arrangement includes care provided by staff and volunteers who work under the direction of facility management.

Facility and Setting

The Wernersville property functions as a working ranch, housing multiple horses along with other animals including miniature horses and barn cats. The rural setting in eastern Pennsylvania provides open space and a pastoral atmosphere that contrasts with clinical environments typically associated with mental health services.

The facility maintains accessibility features including wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking areas, making the property navigable for clients with mobility considerations. On-site parking accommodates visitors, and restroom facilities are available on the premises. The practice recommends that clients schedule appointments in advance rather than arriving without prior arrangement.

The property layout allows for various therapeutic activities, from indoor sessions to outdoor work with horses in paddocks and pastures. This flexibility enables counselors to adapt the environment to client needs and comfort levels, with some sessions taking place in closer proximity to horses than others depending on therapeutic objectives.

Therapeutic Approach and Philosophy

Take Heart operates within a Christian counseling framework, meaning that faith-based perspectives may be incorporated into therapeutic discussions and treatment approaches. This orientation reflects the personal beliefs of the founder and shapes the organizational culture of the practice. The integration of faith elements varies based on individual client preferences and needs, with the practice serving both religious and secular clients.

The therapeutic philosophy emphasizes creating an environment conducive to emotional safety and personal exploration. The ranch setting itself serves as an intentional component of this approach, providing physical distance from daily stressors and a natural environment that many find conducive to reflection and openness.

Counselors at the practice hold professional licensure and credentials in mental health fields, combined with specialized training in equine-assisted therapeutic modalities. This dual qualification allows them to address clinical mental health concerns while utilizing the unique properties of horse-human interaction as therapeutic tools.

Operational Structure

The practice was founded by Meagan, who continues to serve as both owner and practicing counselor at the facility. Her involvement extends from administrative oversight to direct client care, and she maintains an active presence in daily operations. Additional counselors work at the facility, expanding the practice's capacity to serve clients with varying needs and schedules.

Volunteers contribute to ranch operations, particularly in the care and management of horses. This volunteer program provides labor support for the facility while offering community members opportunities to engage with the animals and mission of the organization. The volunteer structure reflects the practice's roots in community engagement and its reliance on supporters who share its therapeutic vision.

Staff members develop familiarity with individual horses on the property, including those in the boarding program. This personalized attention means that horse owners receive regular updates and observations about their animals from people who interact with them daily.

Location and Accessibility

Wernersville is situated in Berks County, Pennsylvania, approximately 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia and 30 miles west of Reading. The 699 Wooltown Road address places the facility in a rural area outside the main town center, consistent with the space requirements of a horse facility.

The practice draws clients from throughout the region, with some traveling considerable distances to access equine-assisted therapy services, which remain relatively uncommon compared to traditional counseling options. The specialized nature of the therapeutic approach means that clients seeking this particular modality may have limited alternatives within reasonable driving distance.

Prospective clients can contact the practice by phone at 717-917-7137 to inquire about services, scheduling, and intake procedures. Given the appointment-based nature of the practice, initial phone contact allows staff to explain available services and determine appropriate next steps for interested individuals.

The Role of Horses in Therapy

The horses at Take Heart serve as more than passive participants in the therapeutic process. Each animal brings distinct personality characteristics and behavioral tendencies that counselors incorporate into their work with clients. The practice maintains horses specifically selected or trained for therapeutic work, with attention to temperament and suitability for interaction with diverse client populations.

Beyond the full-sized horses, the facility houses miniature horses that provide additional opportunities for animal interaction. These smaller animals may be particularly accessible for clients who feel intimidated by larger horses or for children participating in therapeutic programs. The presence of other animals, including cats that inhabit the barn area, contributes to the overall atmosphere of the property and provides incidental opportunities for positive animal contact during visits.

The health and welfare of the horses receives ongoing attention, as their condition directly impacts their suitability for therapeutic work. Well-maintained, content horses respond more appropriately in therapeutic settings, making their care a professional concern as well as an ethical one.