About
What is EFL?
We learn, grow and heal within the herd.
Equine facilitated learning (EFL) is a powerful, creative way to explore challenges, pain and goals alongside horses or donkeys. At Seen & Herd we rep the long-eared, and have a herd of 4 donkeys.
Donkeys are herd and prey animals, evolved to be highly aware of their environment and each other. It is relational work meaning that we explore what’s going on for clients through their interactions with the herd.
How the donkeys respond to us and vice versa helps us understand how we are affecting others. Our meaning-making of the donkeys’ responses shows us how we are making stories about the world and and our role in it.
We are out in nature with the donkeys and this is an important part of our sessions. Feeling into the breezes or warm sunshine, noticing the red kites overhead and the passage of the seasons. Finding cocooned spaces beneath old walnut trees up on the hill or lying in the grass in the paddock alongside dozing donkeys. Allowing ourselves to come into presence and awareness of what is going on around us, supports us to open to awareness of what is happening within us, too.
EFL is especially useful for addressing: Trauma, anxiety, self esteem issues, depression, chronic health diagnoses, ADHD, autism, school exclusion, school refusal, bereavement, major change, life transitions. I have a special interest in trauma, chronic health and pain management, autism and LGBTQIA+ issues.
Sessions are 1:1 and last 60 minutes for children and 60 or 90 minutes for adults. Sessions can be on either a short or long-term basis, but generally a cluster of sessions are helpful to see a change.
I also offer this in one or multi-day solo or group retreats for up to four people, which can include guided journeys with the donkeys across the lands around us.
Why Seen & Herd?
To be seen, heard and accepted just as we are is a core need. To belong and be in connection with others is critical to our survival and our thriving.
So many of us have grown up learning to suppress our emotions or without effective modelling of how to regulate our ever-changing emotional state. We bring stories with us about how we need ‘to be’ and behave to gain belonging. This story-making and conditioning affects our health and our way of being in the world, meaning that we are not able to be authentic with those around us. We become disconnected, unwell and seek to avoid or reject our pain and suffering.
Donkeys are herd animals and want to connect. They are highly sensitive beings and respond authentically to the world around them, including us. While in company with them, we become a part of the herd.
In this space, we can be fully seen and heard, however we are in the moment.
No judgment, no stories from the donkeys.
This connection creates safety, which allows healing, expansion and growth.
How we got here
In 2018, I was in crisis. Trauma had resurfaced and I was struggling to be in the world. A therapist recommended I try EFL. Even though I was scared of horses, I trusted the recommendation.
Suicidal and unable to promise the humans around me that I would see them the next week, I found connection and belonging with a cob called Nelson and a cheeky little donkey called Frieda. I could trust them in a way I couldn’t trust humans at the time. Gradually I found space, connection and healing.
We welcomed three donkeys home around the same time. I completed my LEAP EFL training in 2021 and started working with clients alongside the herd that year.
In November 2022 we welcomed Zebradee into the herd, a six month old foal.
I am currently on a UKCP training pathway to become a psychotherapist with the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy.
