Take Heart Counseling & Equine Assisted Therapy

10/15/2025

How is Take Heart different from other therapeutic farms?

This is a question we get a LOT! There are a lot of ways horses can help people, and lots of awesome farms out there doing great things – from equine ministry, to equine coaching or mentoring, to therapeutic riding.

Take Heart is unique because it combines HOPE, HEALING, and HORSES in a way that is truly rare.

HOPE – for full healing and restoration in Jesus. Take Heart is named for the battle cry verse in John 16:33. We use a faith-based approach for clients who need spiritual healing. Many of our clients have experienced harm in the church or spiritual abuse and are confused or angry with God, or just aren’t sure how to understand their struggles or suffering and still believe in God’s love. Our non-judgmental approach is to share truth in love and walk alongside people as they grow in their relationship with God. Studies show that spirituality is a vital element in healing and well-being, and our team have compassion for wherever you are in your spiritual journey, no matter your beliefs.

HEALING – using evidence-based and trauma-informed therapeutic interventions. Our work is backed by psychology and neuroscience, not just feel-good activities. We individualize treatment plans for each client using elements of various well-researched therapeutic models, to give you the best experience and heal body, mind, soul, and spirit. Our therapists are exceptional and uniquely certified – each having at the minimum, a master’s degree and license (or pre-license) in their field AND training through the Natural Lifemanship Institute. Natural Lifemanship teaches Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and is the most evidence-based and thorough certification program in the equine therapy field right now. This is no weekend certification, but a process that requires several levels of courses, consultations, homework assignments, and takes over two years to complete. Basically – our staff know what they are doing!

HORSES – as intuitive partners and teachers through the healing process. We have 18 horses in our therapy herd – one of the largest therapy herds around. Each horse is unique and brings something special to their clients. Horses are naturally relationship-oriented, being herd animals that rely on connection and attunement for survival. Interestingly, these are the very things we humans need to truly heal – connection, attunement, and relationship. Working with horses allows us to build authentic relationships and practice new patterns of relating to self, others, or God – with these nonjudgmental gentle giants. We can practice, make mistakes, and learn new skills – and the horses will respond honestly to what’s happening in the moment. They often invite us to just “be” with them in the herd – and studies on co-regulation show that even being in the presence of horses is calming for our nervous system!

We get to see the incredible impact of equine assisted therapy with our clients every day as they grow and heal through a wide variety of struggles – anything you can think of, we have seen equine assisted therapy help in various ways! THIS WORKS! We are not afraid to make a big claim like this – because it’s the truth. EVERYONE can benefit from equine assisted therapy in some way.

If you are ready for a life-changing therapeutic experience, contact us today:

https://www.takeheartcounseling.com/contact/

Hope. Healing. Horses.

10/14/2025

We have an amazing horsemanship program that is more than just learning how to steer a horse. We equip our students with a solid foundation of knowledge about all aspect of horses including- horse care, handling, groundwork, riding, and training.

Our team will encourage you to grow in your horse skills AND life skills.

Whether you are considering purchasing your own horse some day, or you want your kiddo to have fun, learn the value of hardwork, and be in a healthy, positive environment- we have openings for YOU!

Check out our upcoming Horsemanship Clinic!

🐎Groundwork over Obstacles- 10/24 6:30-8:30pm

NOW is the time to start or continue your horsemanship journey- whatever your age! Can't wait to see you around the ranch!

Email Kody@TakeHeartCounseling.com for more information.

Hope. Healing. Horses.

10/13/2025

Educators' Wholeness Academy Meet & Greet - 2 dates available!

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:00 am IN PERSON

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:00 am VIRTUAL

Educators and Administrators, we invite you to experience the innovative and life-changing impact Wholeness Academy will have in your students, for yourselves! Come visit the ranch on Tuesday October 28th to connect with Dr. Danielle and some other horse & human herd members of the Wholeness Academy at Take Heart. And if you can't make it out in person (we know how busy you are!), we hope you can attend our virtual meeting on Wednesday, November 5th.

RSVP with a quick email to Danielle@TakeHeartCounseling.com or call/text 717-917-7137 to let us know you'll be there.

Parents - we have had such a great response from you about the Wholeness Academy for your kids - just send this invitation and information to your district administrators and let them know you are interested! Let us know if we can help you with this.

Hope. Healing. Horses.

10/12/2025

"And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love.
But the greatest of these is Love."
~1 Corinthians 13:13

Hope. Healing. Horses.

10/11/2025

10/11/2025

Looking forward to seeing you and worshipping with you tonight!

Spend a beautiful evening on our peaceful ranch, watching the sunset, worshipping our Creator and just relaxing. This is a family-friendly event and everyone is welcome!

We will open the gates early to give you time to park, settle in, meet Raphie, one of our mini therapy horses, and Prince Harry, our mini therapy donkey, be welcomed by staff, and make your way up our hill.

Bring a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets, whatever you need! We will be selling waters and sodas for $1 to support our partnership program.

Take Heart merchandise is also available.

Need prayer? We will have an anonymous prayer jar to submit prayer requests so that our team can pray for you.

Gates open: 4:45/5:00pm
Park, meet Raphie and Harry, and make your way up the hill.

Worship starts at 5:30pm
An evening of praise and worship on top of our hill as the sunsets.
Pack a picnic dinner, snacks, blanket, and chairs.

FREE to enter! Donations appreciated and go to support our partnership program.

Hope. Healing. Horses.

10/10/2025

I’m just going to say it: Just because it’s normal doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

Louder for the people in the back: JUST BECAUSE IT’S NORMAL DOESN’T MEAN IT’S HEALTHY!

I have met women in their 50’s that experienced abusive relationships their entire lives because it’s all they knew; they thought it was normal to be treated that way. They didn’t call it abuse, because they thought that’s just how things were supposed to be.

I have met families who struggle daily with extreme behaviors from their kids. Maybe they have tried some therapies or medications but nothing seems to help. They are tired of hoping for change and have accepted this as their normal.

I have met kids who believe that bad things happen because of them. That somehow it was their fault. They may not consciously be aware of this belief, but it shows in their struggles to make friends, struggles to self-advocate, struggles to try new things, struggles with anxiety or depression… they just feel that these struggles are normal.

I have met teens that use substances because all their friends do. They may not have ever experienced severe trauma or family issues or anything that seems like a “reason” – they just think it’s the normal teenage thing to do.

I could go on… but let me make my point.

WE DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE IT IS NORMAL.

You matter enough to fight for something more than normal. Your family matters enough to fight for something more than normal. Fight for healthy. Fight for good. Fight for thriving, not just surviving. Fight for purpose, not just getting by. Fight for love – real love that sees and values you for who you are.
~Meagan Good, MA, LPC, NPT-C, NLC-P,EP; Founder of Take Heart

You don’t have to fight alone. Contact us today to get set up with a compassionate therapist to help fight alongside you!
https://www.takeheartcounseling.com/contact/

10/09/2025

"How will I know it's working?"

Therapy can be subjective in some ways - it's a science AND an art - and as humans, we are beautifully complex. But here are some of the things we hear from or see in our clients as they heal and grow:

✅"I'm able to stay calmer in stressful situations."
✅"I'm able to speak up for myself" [with that coworker, difficult family member, etc].
✅"I'm able to see the truth more clearly and not fall for manipulation."
✅"I don't need their approval anymore - I like me and that's enough."
✅"I can hear from God more clearly now."
✅"I was able to spend time with my family again."
✅"I'm able to end this toxic relationship - and I know what I'm looking for in a healthy relationship."
✅"My child doesn't have explosive meltdowns anymore."
✅"I can go into this [situation] with more confidence."
✅"My teenager has started talking to me again."
✅"I don't feel like I have to numb myself to stay safe - it's okay for me to feel that hard emotion."
✅"I'm allowed to make mistakes because I can learn from them."
✅"I like spending time with my teens again!"
✅"I don't feel ashamed of my past or my scars anymore"

Any of these resonate with you? What are some positive truths you want to be able to say? Whatever it is, we can help you get there. Start your journey by reaching out today:
https://www.takeheartcounseling.com/contact/

Hope. Healing. Horses.