The Influence of our Attachment Style on Horse-Human Interactions

In Part I of The Influence of our Attachment Style on Horse-Human Interactions, we explored the four main attachment styles and how they influence our relationships with both humans and horses. There was so much to discuss that we ran out of time to explore how horses develop attachment styles and how they shape their relationships with humans and other horses.

About our speakers:

Kathleen Choe is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor with a private practice in Austin, Texas and is a board member of HHRF.

Kathleen is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy through the EMDR International Association and in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy through the Natural Lifemanship Institute, and enjoys combining these powerful specialties to serve people recovering from trauma, catastrophic loss and toxic stress. Kathleen’s childhood was full of furry friends, including horses, dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters and chickens and she loves how her “outdoor office” at the farm offers clients a chance to experience the similar benefits of being in nature surrounded by animals, including her trusted equine partners: Sterling, Copper, Spirit and Chief. In addition to providing therapy, Kathleen is committed to growing the Equine Assisted Services field through training, teaching, writing and continually learning. In her spare time, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren, and her rescue dog Emma.

Kate Naylor, LMFT, Director of Trainer Development and Community Engagement at Natural Lifemanship

Kate is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, mother, and teacher, among other things. Running wild in Texas, Kate found at an early age that our interdependence with nature and non-human beings is a fact of life. This embodied understanding of interdependence led her to therapy work with families in nature-based, equine-assisted environments with an eye toward the context from which each unique life emerges. Over the last 15 years, Kate has trained in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, and in several experiential modalities. She found a sweet spot supporting the development of therapists, coaches, helpers and healers through experiential methods and mentorship. She has co-authored several chapters on EAS, teaches regularly at both the local and national level, and continues to envision a world in which each of us feels our inherent belonging.