We work with adolescents, adults, and elders individually and in groups. Farm therapy is a unique type of experiential psychotherapy that takes place outside in the presence of farm life, both animal and plant. Dart Farms, a 10-acre organic farm, is home to horses, dogs, barn cats, chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, bees and is frequently visited by wild birds. Dart Farms is also a market farm with two acres of cultivated vegetable and flower gardens and two orchards. Modern life has made us prone to overstimulation, continuous multi-tasking, and burnout. Being in the presence of nature, either wild or domestic, can immediately improve our mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Studies have shown that time spent with nature leads to a lower heart-rate, lower anxiety, and lower levels of stress hormones. It also improves mood, memory, and attention. These effects of being in nature are important in maximizing the benefits of psychotherapy. It is important to be calm, relaxed, and focused to successfully process and integrate trauma and new explorations of Self. Farm therapy focuses on the individual and the innate wisdom found at our organic farm. With the gentle guidance of the animals, trees, plants, and flowers, we are given a unique opportunity to expand our self-awareness and deepen our understanding of how we relate to self and the world around us. By working through the responses offered by farm life as we address our inner challenges; we create a more complete picture of who we are and want to be. While we consciously watch what nature elicits in us, we are given an immediate choice to either repeat old conditioned responses or replace them with more intentional thoughts and behaviors. Our goal is understanding, empowerment, and embracing life.
The natural world does not judge us. It wants us to succeed and wants to share success with us. Farm therapy can enhance a sense of interconnectedness between all that is despite the pain we may feel at times in our lives. By becoming more mindful and body-centered, we become more aware of how we influence each other on a quiet energetic level. Nature teaches us how to be more attuned to our intentions and what we are subconsciously sharing with the world. Farm therapy facilitates the clarity of what changes need to be made and helps create the confidence and ease needed to follow through with them. When we immerse ourselves in the natural flow of life on the farm, we are shown where we hold resistance to what happens in our lives, as well as any distrust we may have of the world. The farm offers a safe space to practice less resistance and more trust in our authentic Self, allowing us to better receive life’s gifts. By integrating traditional therapy, body-centered awareness, and mindfulness while focusing on information triggered from farm life, we can gain insight into areas that block us from growth and limit our abilities to feel healthy and sound, as nature intended. For more information, please email Heidi: heidi@coloradofarmtherapy.com
