Service

In-Person Equine Sessions

Via Melissa Clary

Overview

Melissa Clary offers in-person Equine Gestalt sessions at a farm in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. During sessions, she partners with horses to help clients explore limiting beliefs and past traumas. No prior horse experience is required. The goal is to help women navigate transitions, emotional challenges, and live authentically through unique horse-assisted therapeutic interactions.

Guide

Melissa Clary

Certified Equine Gestalt Practitioner. Psychologist.

Melissa Clary, founder of Heels Down Healing, practices Equine Gestalt Therapy, combining her psychology background with her love for horses. She helps women navigate life transitions, particularly menopause, by addressing past traumas. Horses, being highly sensitive, serve as intuitive partners in this therapeutic process. Melissa’s approach focuses on authenticity and presence, guiding clients to reconnect with their true selves through the wisdom of these majestic animals.

LEARN

Benefits of Equine Therapy:

Emotional Regulation and Stress Reduction

Interacting with horses helps individuals learn to manage their emotions more effectively. Horses are highly sensitive to human emotions and provide immediate, non-judgmental feedback, which helps people develop better self-regulation skills. The therapy has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Confidence

Working with horses provides unique opportunities to build self-confidence. Accomplishing tasks like grooming, feeding, and leading horses boosts self-esteem, especially since horses offer unconditional acceptance. Participants often experience improved self-worth and develop a sense of personal achievement.

Improved Communication and Social Skills

Equine therapy teaches valuable interpersonal skills by requiring individuals to communicate effectively with horses through body language and non-verbal cues. This process helps participants develop better communication skills, learn boundary-setting, and improve their ability to interact with others. The therapy is particularly beneficial for those struggling with social interactions, including individuals with conditions like autism, PTSD, and anxiety.

What our Seekers are saying about Melissa

Testimonials

"Your presence and compassion allowed me to feel safe and release grief that I have been carrying for a long time. Thank you for holding space for me and guiding me through the process with such ease and gentleness."

Haley

"Melissa offered me a very vivid, but safe, way of exploring a painful moment in my past. She then helped me find a very creative way to not only overcome, but to use what I had discovered to amplify my found strengths! Thank you!"

Kim

"Thank you for "walking with me" through a metaphor that has defined my life. You gave me such a great experience that will stay with me forever. You were made for this work."

Kamrynn

Deepen your journey

Other Offerings from Melissa Clary

In-Person Equine Sessions

Overview

Melissa Clary

Benefits of Equine Therapy:

Emotional Regulation and Stress Reduction

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Confidence

Improved Communication and Social Skills

Other Offerings from Melissa Clary

Melissa Clary In Person Equine Sessions

Our Stories, Our Selves: A Women’s Writing Retreat

Virtual Equine Follow Up Sessions

Continue Your Journey​

Continue Your Journey