Resilience Workshops for Youth and Adolescents
Workshops are offered throughout the year. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Workshops meet weekly for 10 Weeks from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
(day of week is determined based on participant availability)
Buckaroos
For elementary school-aged children
Steps
For middle school-aged adolescents
Strides
For high school-aged adolescents
The growth and changes experienced during the adolescent years can sometimes bring feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression. NCEFT is committed to supporting young people as they navigate the many challenges of adolescence by helping to build interpersonal skills and resilience tools. Through exploring and developing relationships with each other and our very special horses, these activities will encourage participants to develop a positive and healthy sense of self.
Workshops take place outside at our beautiful 12-acre property. Our licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists will introduce exercises to reduce anxiety, build confidence, enhance communication, and improve social skills while observing and interacting with horses. Activities such as journaling, group discussion, and art will also be incorporated. No horse experience is required.
Spending guided time with horses is proven to promote healing, lower stress, and offer insight about oneself and the world around us. Our horses, along with our dedicated staff and a small group of peers will help you take these challenging adolescent years in stride.
Program Details:
- Buckaroos is developed for 8-10 year old children.
- Steps is developed for middle school adolescents.
- Strides is developed for high school adolescents.
- Groups will be limited to 6 participants.
- A member of NCEFT’s Mental Health & Resilience team will schedule an initial evaluation with each applicant to determine eligibility.
- Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
- Mental Health & Resilience Workshops at NCEFT are not intended to be a stand-alone treatment for mental health disorders, but instead, are provided as an addition to traditional talk therapy.
Participants will learn tools to help reduce anxiety and depression, and gain a positive sense of self through:
- Guided activities with horses
- Understanding the parallels between horse and human behavior
- Mindfulness techniques
- Sharing perspectives with other workshop participants
- Envisioning a future
- Experiencing a world outside of home and school
- Cultivating community
- Showing empathy and care towards the horses and each other
