Private Session —

Equine-Facilitated Somatic Healing™

90 minutes | Initial Session $275
Packages available at reduced rates

Equine-Facilitated Somatic Healing™ is a gentle, body-based approach rooted in Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) and informed by Polyvagal Theory. This work understands that when protective responses are interrupted or incomplete, the nervous system may continue to organize around protection.

Rather than focusing on retelling events, we attend to the physiology of regulation — sensation, breath, posture, and subtle shifts in autonomic state. By working at a pace the body can sustain, protective responses are supported in completing, allowing the nervous system to gradually settle.

Sessions unfold outdoors within the living environment of the herd. We begin seated, often just outside the corral. Conversation is present, but the emphasis remains on tracking internal experience and supporting steady regulation.

This pacing is especially important in recovery from traumatic brain injury, where overstimulation can further destabilize an already taxed nervous system. By prioritizing safety and capacity, the work supports stabilization, reduces overwhelm, and increases resilience over time.

The horses remain at liberty throughout the session. Their presence offers subtle, nonverbal feedback that supports regulation in a shared mammalian environment. In person, there is the option to transition to the table, where SE™ Touch — the hands-on application of this work — supports regulation through gentle, attuned contact.

Complimentary Consultation

Or reach out by email to learn more and sense whether this is the right fit.

What to Expect in a Session

Sessions are held outdoors on the land at Congruence, within the presence of the herd.

We begin seated, often just outside the corral, orienting to the present moment and gently tracking sensation, breath, and shifts in autonomic regulation. This allows the work to unfold at a pace your nervous system can tolerate and trust.

If appropriate, we may transition to the table inside the corral, where the work can deepen through SE™ Touch — the hands-on application of Somatic Experiencing®. Contact is gentle and attuned, offered in response to changes in autonomic state.

You remain aware and engaged throughout. There is no pressure to revisit past events. The focus is on stabilizing regulation and gradually increasing capacity — particularly important in recovery from traumatic brain injury, where overstimulation can quickly overwhelm the system.

The horses remain at liberty and move freely within their space. At times they may graze nearby; at other moments, a horse may approach or stand close. Nothing is directed or required. Their presence offers consistent, nonverbal cues that support settling and regulation.

Regulation after Brain Injury

The nervous system shapes how we process sensory input, regulate emotion, respond to stress, and orient to safety.

Following trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI), the autonomic nervous system may remain organized around protection. Patterns of hypervigilance, shutdown, overwhelm, sensory sensitivity, or dissociation are adaptive responses of a system attempting to stabilize.

In brain injury, these patterns often reflect an overstimulated or taxed nervous system working to regain equilibrium.

When protective activation persists beyond the original event, it can interfere with sleep, cognitive clarity, relational connection, and the physiological rhythms necessary for recovery.

Somatic Experiencing® supports the gradual completion of interrupted protective responses and strengthens autonomic regulation through titration and resourcing. As regulation stabilizes, energy previously allocated to chronic protection becomes available for integration, repair, and increased functional capacity.

At Congruence, this work unfolds within the living presence of the herd and desert environment. The horses offer consistent, nonverbal feedback to shifts in autonomic state, reinforcing regulation through real-time relational cues. Their presence supports stabilization without increasing cognitive load — an important consideration in brain injury recovery.

Complimentary Consultation

FAQs

  • No. While I specialize in supporting those recovering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) through modalities like Somatic Experiencing®, Polyvagal Theory, and mindfulness, I also work with individuals navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, or those simply seeking a deeper connection to themselves and their nervous system. This work meets you where you are—whether you’re healing, growing, or remembering what safety feels like in your body.

  • That depends on your goals and what your system is ready for. Some people benefit from just a few sessions, while others choose to return regularly over time. We move at the pace that feels right for you.

  • In-person sessions with the herd are 90 minutes in length, allowing spaciousness for settling, co-regulation, and integration. Virtual sessions typically last 60 minutes.

  • In-person sessions with the Congruence Herd are offered on a sliding scale of $125–$250. A limited number of reduced rate spaces are available each month—please inquire if needed.

    Although we are NOT a non profit, each session directly supports the care and well-being of the sanctuary.

  • Not at all. No prior horse experience is necessary. Your comfort and pacing are central to the process. Any interaction with the herd is guided and happens in a way that respects both you and the horses.

  • Fear is a natural and often intelligent response. Many people come with some level of fear, and we always begin outside the corral. That fear itself can become a meaningful doorway into the work. We never move beyond what your system is ready for.

  • You’ll be invited to sense into the herd and notice any particular connection, and you may be guided to make an energetic ask. But in deep respect for their autonomy, it’s the horses who ultimately choose whether or how they engage. Even when not physically close, they’re always participating in subtle ways.

  • No. Out of respect for the herd’s healing journeys and agency, all sessions take place on the ground. The focus is on relational presence, not performance or control.

  • Yes. Sessions are held in a safe, contained environment. I’ve designed this space to support regulation—for you and the herd—and I’m present throughout to guide and ensure safety.

  • Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes appropriate for walking outdoors. A hat, sunscreen, and water are also recommended, especially in warmer weather.

Have another question? Reach out to info@congruencetucson.com