Salud Mental Puerto Rico
Equestrian Therapy
In Puerto Rico, there is a growing demand for services that complement traditional therapies, as well as a need for specialized centers for equine-assisted therapy that provide professional and accessible care. Equine therapy has proven to be an effective tool for improving postural control and balance, fine and gross motor coordination, language and communication, autonomy and social skills, emotional regulation and self-esteem, and mental well-being. Salud Mental Puerto Rico, Equinoterapia aims to establish itself as a partner in this field by offering specialized equine therapy services.
Services
Restore balance and heal.
Explore our range of treatments designed to reduce stress and promote holistic well-being. Each treatment is personalized to address your individual health needs, offering a comprehensive approach to well-being.
Psychotherapy
Activities carried out with a horse (whether mounted or on the ground) aimed at facilitating the rehabilitation, re-education, normalization, integration, and socialization of individuals with physical, mental, sensory, or psychological impairments, or those facing social or behavioral challenges.
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Gymnastic training performed on a moving horse, which enhances the social, physical, cognitive, and emotional skills of the participants.
Occupational Equine-Assisted Therapy
This involves preparing the participant to acquire work-related skills—whether pre-vocational or vocational—so that they may perform tasks within an occupation connected to horses and the natural environment.
Horse-Assisted Learning (“Coaching”)
A method of learning and self-discovery that takes place in the presence of horses, which are free to move about within an enclosure, accompanied by a certified coach.
Hippotherapy
An evidence-based practice rooted in clinical reasoning that involves the purposeful manipulation of a horse’s movement to influence sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems in order to achieve functional goals.
Therapeutic Vaulting and Social Equine-Assisted Therapy
Gymnastics performed on a moving horse for participants who need to improve their social, physical, cognitive, and emotional skills.
Therapeutic Horsemanship
"Equine-assisted activity designed to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs." — PATH Int.
Benefits and Participants
* Non-judgmental reflection: horses mirror the emotions and behaviors of participants, offering impartial feedback that can lead to significant personal insights.
*Emotional regulation: interacting with horses helps participants learn to manage and regulate their emotions in a supportive environment.
*Building trust and relationships: working with horses helps participants develop trust, improve communication skills, and build healthy relationships.
*Physical and mental engagement: the physical activity involved in equine-assisted psychotherapy contributes to the overall well-being of participants and supports the therapeutic process.
Who can benefit from Equine Therapy?
Everyone! Especially,
* Individuals with physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities.
* Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
* Individuals with developmental disorders, ADHD, or learning difficulties.
* Individuals with emotional or psychological diagnoses (anxiety, depression, trauma).
* Educational communities or groups at social risk (veterans, residents of homes for at-risk children/adults).
* Older adults.
Discover the benefits of choosing equine-assisted therapy for your journey toward well-being.
Book an Evaluation Now!
Friday-Saturday:
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday-Thursday: Closed
Hours of Operation
About Me
I am originally from Puerto Rico. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from La Roche College, PA, in 1995, and continued my studies at Duquesne University, PA, where I obtained an M.Ed. in School and Community Counseling in 1998. I received my national counselor certification in 2002. I began my career providing residential and drug and alcohol treatment services in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1998, I began working as a social worker for children, youth, and families; I provided mental health services and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2004. In private practice, I offered mental health care for individuals, couples, and families in both outpatient and mobile settings. In 2006, I became a student assistance consultant, providing consulting services to non-public schools through the Non-Public Schools Program at Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3, and I also became a professional development instructor for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2008, I became a Parent Network Coordinator and Project Coordinator for the "Real Help, Real Time" emergency fund—part of the Family Support Fund—at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development. In 2009, I became a Specialist in Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health and Early Education at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development. I completed a certificate program in Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health at Chatham University in 2012, and I also became a Quality Assurance instructor for PAKeys and a certified consultant for Project PLAY. In 2019, I transitioned to the role of Eastern Regional Supervisor for the Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program at PAKeys. In 2024, I moved to Puerto Rico, where I continue to provide mental health services through the BetterHelp platform and for Namaste Holistic Counseling in Pennsylvania. In 2025, I obtained my professional license in Puerto Rico and decided to incorporate equine-assisted services into my practice. I traveled to Chile, where I earned a certificate in equine therapy from the Equicentro Foundation (located in Carolina, within the Santiago Metropolitan Region), and I also completed a professional certificate program in equine- and nature-assisted interventions—specifically equine therapy—at the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón. I remain committed to providing mental health support to clients in both Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico, offering services in virtual, in-person, and equine-assisted formats.