At Monima Wellness Center, we believe true healing encompasses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Our equine therapy program in San Diego, offered through our trusted partners at Halo Ranch, represents a cornerstone of our holistic approach to mental health, providing women with a profound opportunity to experience breakthrough healing through the intuitive wisdom of horses.
Research consistently shows that healing happens most effectively when we address not just psychological symptoms, but the interconnected nature of mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Equine therapy naturally engages all three dimensions, creating opportunities for transformation that traditional talk therapy alone may not reach.
As an integrated component of our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), equine therapy in San Diego works synergistically with our evidence-based treatments to accelerate healing and create lasting change.
Equine therapy isn’t just a feel-good alternative treatment—it’s grounded in solid neuroscience and psychology research that demonstrates how human-animal interactions create measurable changes in our brain chemistry, nervous system, and overall well-being.
Studies show that interactions with horses trigger the release of oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone,” while simultaneously reducing cortisol levels and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This neurobiological shift creates optimal conditions for:
Horses are prey animals with extraordinary sensitivity to energy, tension, and emotional states. This sensitivity makes them ideal partners for developing somatic awareness—the ability to recognize and respond to physical sensations and emotions stored in the body.
Research demonstrates that equine therapy in San Diego helps participants:
Beyond the psychological and physical benefits, equine therapy addresses the spiritual dimension of healing—our need for connection, purpose, and meaning. Horses live authentically in the present moment, offering profound lessons about:
Contact us today at 858-500-1542 to begin crafting your path to recovery.
Through our partnership with Halo Ranch, Monima Wellness seamlessly integrates equine therapy in San Diego into our comprehensive treatment model. This collaboration allows us to maintain our clinical expertise in women’s mental health while providing access to experienced therapeutic horses and equine specialists.
Our equine therapy in San Diego program works alongside our other holistic modalities to create a comprehensive healing experience:
Traditional Evidence-Based Therapies Enhanced:
Body-Based Modalities Amplified:
Spiritual Healing Elements:
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Enhancement:
Women in our IOP program discover how equine therapy amplifies their overall treatment experience through:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Transformation:
Our comprehensive PHP program incorporates equine therapy as a vital component of intensive healing:
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Monima is individualized for women and offers part-time, intentional, and comprehensive treatment for challenges related to mental health and trauma recovery.
IOP is designed specifically for women ready for level of support above traditional once-per-week therapy, or as a stepping stone between a full-time recovery program — such as PHP or residential treatment — and returning to their daily routines full-time.
The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at Monima provides treatment for women seeking a comprehensive and full-time mental health treatment program that fosters lasting mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.
PHP is the highest level of care available at Monima, intentionally designed for women that are ready for a step above basic therapy, psychiatric support, or IOP. Most clients take a leave of absence from work, school, or their daily routines to fully immerse themselves in healing.
Monima Wellness offers an outpatient program (OP) to provide continued mental health support while integrating into their daily lives. This program is ideal for those transitioning from more intensive levels of care, such as PHP or intensive outpatient treatment. Sometimes referred to as aftercare, the OP emphasizes maintaining and building upon the progress achieved in previous phases, allowing clients to begin balancing their recovery with work, education, or family responsibilities.
Equine-assisted therapy is a collaborative approach involving mental health professionals, equine specialists, and carefully selected therapy horses. Unlike riding lessons or recreational activities, equine therapy in San Diego focuses specifically on emotional growth, trauma healing, and mental health recovery through guided interactions with horses.
All activities are ground-based and designed to create opportunities for emotional processing, skill development, and insight generation. Common therapeutic activities include:
Horses possess unique qualities that make them ideal therapeutic partners for women healing from trauma, anxiety, and relationship challenges:
Our treatment team includes clinicians with specialized training in military-specific mental health concerns, including moral injury, combat trauma, and military sexual trauma. This expertise ensures treatment addresses the unique aspects of military-related mental health challenges.
We proudly accept TRICARE and TriWest insurance, making our specialized care accessible to active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Our team can verify your benefits and explain your coverage options. Visit our insurance verification page to learn more.
At Monima Wellness, equine therapy in San Diego is primarily offered as a group experience in our outpatient treatment programs, recognizing that healing often happens most powerfully in community with others who share similar struggles and goals.
Research shows that group-based healing approaches can be more effective than individual therapy alone for many mental health conditions, particularly trauma and attachment disorders. Here are some of the ways equine therapy transforms lives:
Equine therapy in San Diego with Monima Wellness offers profound healing opportunities for women navigating various mental health challenges, with benefits that extend far beyond traditional therapy.
For women with trauma histories, horses provide a unique pathway to healing that addresses trauma’s impact on mind, body, and spirit.
Nervous System Healing:
Trust and Safety Rebuilding:
Integration and Meaning-Making:
The immediate feedback horses provide makes them exceptional teachers for developing emotional regulation and anxiety management skills.
Present-Moment Awareness:
Confidence and Self-Efficacy:
Horses offer unparalleled opportunities to practice healthy relationship patterns and heal attachment wounds.
Authentic Communication:
Healthy Boundaries:
Equine therapy in San Diego through our outpatient programs at Monima Wellness is carefully designed to maximize therapeutic benefit while ensuring comfort and meaningful engagement for all participants.
Sessions include guided activities with horses, opportunities for processing insights and experiences, and integration planning to apply learnings to daily life. No prior horse experience is necessary, and sessions are appropriate for women of various comfort levels with animals.
The therapeutic team works collaboratively to ensure each participant can engage meaningfully in the experience while respecting individual boundaries and needs. All activities are ground-based and designed to promote emotional growth and healing.
Your equine therapy experience is thoughtfully woven into your comprehensive treatment plan, working synergistically with other therapies to accelerate healing and create lasting change. Regular communication between your equine therapy facilitators and other members of your treatment team ensures consistency and integration across all aspects of your care.
Healing often happens in unexpected ways—sometimes through the honest reflection of a horse who mirrors your inner emotional state, or through the support of other women who witness your courage in embracing new possibilities. Our holistic equine therapy program combines the profound wisdom of horses with the power of community and evidence-based treatment to create extraordinary opportunities for mind-body-spirit transformation.
Don’t wait to reclaim your mental health and discover the profound healing that’s possible when you address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
Find out if Monima is the right treatment center for you or your loved one. Please note: we are an insurance-friendly organization.
