Winter just seems to have endless gray skies. We call it "The Long Gray". For many of us, The Long Gray can seriously impact our mental health; what do we do?
Empowering individuals and families
to find hope, healing, and wholeness through therapeutic work with horses.
Take Heart is a ranch with a mission. Serving our community for 10 years.
We provide mental health therapy sessions serving individuals and families across Berks, Lancaster, and Lebanon counties. We specialize in equine assisted therapy – partnering with horses in mental health counseling sessions – and are the only equine assisted counseling center to provide trauma-informed, licensed professional counseling in the greater tri-county area.
Not sure about horses? No horse experience is necessary to learn, heal, and grow with the help of horses – but if you prefer to work without horses, our therapists are glad to meet with you in one of our office spaces, walking or sitting outdoors enjoying the ranch environment (we also have chickens, goats, and cats to add to the therapeutic experience), or virtually if that suits you best.
Additionally, we offer equine-guided retreats and corporate workshops to groups of all kinds.
For those horse lovers out there, we have a Connected Horsemanship program which educates and empowers equestrians throughout our region to build relationship with their horses, and teaches students of all ages the foundations of horsemanship that are good for both horse and rider.
We also have an active Volunteer program where you can serve your community by helping care for horses or put on special events at the ranch. Join the barn family!
Hope
"Take Heart!" is a battle cry for holding onto hope when things seem most impossible. Our compassion for people and our counseling services are grounded in the hope found in Jesus Christ. We believe that no person is too far gone, and we will walk alongside you while your hope is restored.
Healing
Way more than petting horses, our sessions are tailored to each client's individual treatment plan and use evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Our trauma-informed therapists use innovative new research in the field to provide the highest quality of care that will change inevitably change your life.
Horses
Horses are intuitive partners and teachers. They are kept as naturally as possible. This allows their true personalities, wisdom, and intuition to come through and respond honestly to clients. We love our gentle and playful co-workers and work hard to ensure they love their job, too.
Reach your goals...
Therapy
Work with our team of professional, trauma-informed clinicians to find hope and healing for whatever challenge you or your family are facing. Offering in-person equine or traditional office sessions, or virtual telehealth sessions.
Equine Guided Corporate Retreats
Intensive retreats designed to refresh, restore, and empower you to experience life-changing growth and healing.
Specialty Workshops
Bring your family or group to a specially designed equine experience sure to shift perspectives and reach your goals.
Connected Horsemanship
Discover a new perspective on riding and caring for horses based on developing a relationship with the horse.
Our Approach is
- Evidence-based; backed by research
- Experiential; hands-on learning with the horses
- Attachment-focused; we heal and grow through safe relationship
- Tailored to meet your specific treatment goals
- Compassionate and judgement-free as we walk alongside you
What people say about their Take Heart experience...
"A lovely place to heal."
S. Family
Former Clients
"Two words I would use to describe this place are compassion and healing. The amount of healing I've experienced through this place and working with the horses has been life changing. By far the best therapy experience one can find!"
A.C.
Former Client
"Take Heart has wonderful, trauma-informed counselors. They are professional and kind. I have referred several people there. They are trustworthy to walk with people in their healing journey."
Andrea McHenry
Executive Director, F.R.E.E.
"Take Heart is an amazing, restorative place for anyone looking to heal from trauma and learn how to manage life's ups and downs. Their sessions are full of insight, compassion, and healing. You don't have to love horses to receive something from the sessions, but if you do love animals then it's simply bonus."
C.D.
Former Client
How do I get started?
Easy as 1-2-3!
1. You can contact us directly. While we accept referrals from doctors, attorneys, psychiatrists, or other professionals – you do not need one to start. We make it easy: you can call or text us at 717-917-7137; you can email us at info@takeheartcounseling.com; or you can check out our contact page to send us a message or reach a specific staff member.
2. Once you’ve reached out, you will get a response from our friendly intake coordinator, Chris. She will listen to your questions and concerns, consider your scheduling availability, then pair you with the therapist on staff who will be the best fit for you or your family.
3. Chris will get you scheduled for your first appointment. We can usually get you scheduled within one week. Soon you will receive an email inviting you to our client portal, where you can quickly and easily fill out the intake paperwork. At this point you’ll have the chance to contact your therapist in advance if that would also be helpful.
We know how hard it can be to reach out for your first counseling appointment, so we try to make it easy and give several options.
If you prefer, you can request an appointment with one of our therapists directly from our client portal. They will receive the request and send you the intake paperwork.
Is this a good fit for me?
Yes! We believe everyone can benefit from at least a few sessions with a horse.
Take Heart is conveniently located for clients in Berks, Lancaster, Chester, and Lebanon counties, Pennsylvania. However, we have served clients visiting from across the country! Our clients are all ages, demographics, and have a variety of mental health concerns they want to work on and grow through. We'll walk with you and your family through real life challenges to rediscover hope, healing, and wholeness.
Additionally, we serve groups of leaders, pastors, teams, and co-workers with uniquely designed experiential workshops. We enjoy empowering other helping professionals to serve at their best and overcome burnout and compassion fatigue. Teachers, medical professionals, therapists - we're here for you, too!
Take Heart works to serve clients with compassion and competence. Our slogan "hope. healing. horses." is based on our passion for combining faith, professionalism, and the amazing power of the horse-human bond. We integrate professional Christian counseling with trauma-focused equine assisted psychotherapy to help clients find mental, emotional, and spiritual wholeness. It is our joy to see relationships restored and individuals find peace and strength.
Our team works with individuals, couples, families, and groups, on:
Clinical concerns including:
- Addictions/Substance Use
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum (ASD)
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Attachment Struggles
- Behavior
- Depression
- Disordered Eating
- Personality Disorders
- Self-Destructive Behaviors
- Self-Injury
- Trauma or PTSD
Life struggles:
- Assertiveness
- Communicating
- Challenging Family Situations
- Grief & Loss
- Identity
- Increasing Confidence
- Leadership
- Life Transitions
- Marriage Struggles
- Relationships
- Regrets
- Shame
- Spiritual Questions
- Teamwork Difficulties
What are you waiting for?
It’s time to experience joy and peace again. It’s time to deepen the connection with your loved ones. It’s time to overcome fear and gain confidence for all that you are called to. It’s time to discover your voice and purpose, defining your identity and stepping forward in strength.
$10,000 for 10 Years
This year we are celebrating 10 years of serving our community.
10 years of women finding their voice after years of abuse.
10 years of men experiencing vulnerable emotions with courage and authenticity.
10 years of kiddos learning to express their emotions without explosions.
10 years of families growing together after painful events.
10 years of teens finding confidence and identity and positive ways to cope with hardship.
10 years of lonely souls finding belonging in a herd.
10 years of turning hurt into healing and hope for a future… for individuals, for their families, for our community.
We are raising $10,000 for our Partnership Program for our 10th anniversary celebration. This gets 10 people financial assistance for up to 10 therapy sessions here at the ranch! (Clearly, we are excited about the number 10!) Will you be part of this amazing campaign?
Recent Blog Posts
Building and deepening relationships through the cycle of rupture and repair.
I am not my grief. The horse that gave Erin strength to embrace her grief and reminded her that she is not alone.
So you counsel horses? Explaining Equine Assisted Therapy and why it is so beneficial.
Ready to start your
life changing journey?
Wherever you are at on your journey, we are here for you. Our human and equine team will walk alongside you so you can find hope, healing, and wholeness in your life. You are worth it. Don't hesitate, reach out to us today.