Who We Are

TEAM Health’s uniquely effective approach to psychotherapy for children has drawn participants from throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut who are referred by physicians, therapists, support groups, other equine programs, and individuals. Positive effects normally begin to show at the six-session mark, and solid results are subsequently reported by parents, teachers, and outside agency observations and reports.

All of our clients have difficulty in communication with others, interacting and/or expressing their feelings. Some reactive concerns include issues of loss/grief, separation and divorce. Previous clinical diagnoses include attention deficit, elimination, mood, and impulse control disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, and pervasive development disorders ranging from Asperger’s Syndrome to mild forms of autism.

We began this practice in early 2000 in response to the increasing numbers of children with mental health diagnoses, and the parents and health agencies who began to seek new therapeutic models that can provide effective approaches to bring both day-to-day and long term positive impact.

What makes us unique is that we have chosen to layer two separate forms of equine therapy, each of which requires unique training and certification, because nothing is more important than safety. For psychotherapy training, the therapist team traveled to the only certifying agency in the world, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association in Utah (EAGALA.org). For riding therapy, the team earned certification from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA.org).

Connemara ponies were selected for this program because of their kind and forgiving temperaments as well as their comparatively small size, which minimizes the intimidation factor for children. TEAM Health is located at Northsprings Farm in North Granby, a facility which breeds Connemara ponies.

TEAM Health offers a variety of programs for groups and individuals, scheduling sessions on a weekly basis. Most of our clients are 3-18 years old, but we treat adults as well.

In addition to therapy, TEAM Health also provides team-building activities for businesses. Activities are tailored to meet the needs of the groups and can be desibned for part or all of a day in duration.

What’s New

After training in earnest for months, Dr. Richard Cutler ran in the Hartford Marathon on October 14. He raised over $1,300 in donations for TEAM Health’s capital campaign. Anyone wishing to donate may still contact him through the website or at 844.0525.