Siera Schenck, Four Winds to Freedom
Introduction: With this capstone, I intend to explore how the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® (EGCM™) can support individuals navigating grief.
Significance: This capstone is deeply significant to me as it represents both a personal and professional journey into the heart of grief work. In my experience, grief is something that touches every aspect of our being, and by focusing on utilizing EGCM™, I hope to contribute to a more compassionate, present-centered approach to supporting those in the throes of grief.
Purpose: This capstone explored how EGCM’s™ experiential techniques can assist those experiencing grief in rediscovering meaning in their lives.
Setting and Participants: The capstone took place at Freedom Farm, a serene location ideal for grief work. It involved a family of three navigating their grief after losing a loved one, alongside two horses that provided unconditional support. The horses roamed freely outside the round pen while the participants and I stayed inside to ensure safety.
Capstone Description/Process: My approach to this capstone project utilized experiential elements of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® to create an immersive grief-focused experience over a 90-minute session.
Initially, I configured the round pen with chairs, blankets, and tissues, ensuring the horses were calm and responsive to the session’s emotional energy. The second phase began with placing a photograph of the participants’ deceased loved one in the center of the circle and lighting a candle, followed by a grounding exercise to stabilize their mind, body, and spirit, thereby establishing a safe and restorative environment.
Following the grounding exercise, participants were invited to share memories of their loved ones while I attentively noted their verbal and non-verbal cues. This allowed me to ask probing questions and provide additional support. I guided the participants through grief-related inquiries, encouraging them to leave their emotional burdens in the sand for release symbolically.
In the final phase, participants engaged with the horses, facilitating profound heart-centered healing and enabling them to integrate the experiences and emotions processed during the session.
Capstone Results/Impact: The capstone project provided a transformative experience for both the participants and me as a practitioner. Utilizing the principles of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® (EGCM™), participants reported increased awareness of their grief, heightened emotional clarity, and a renewed connection to their deceased loved ones.
Creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences was profoundly healing, while the presence of horses fostered authentic connections often difficult to establish in traditional settings. This experience reinforced my understanding of the benefits of combining embodied presence with equine interaction in grief work, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and awareness in guiding clients through their emotional journeys. Ultimately, the capstone reaffirmed my commitment to employing the EGCM™ to assist individuals in their grief.
Capstone Evaluation: The capstone project was evaluated through participant feedback and personal reflection. Participants shared their emotions both before and after the 90-minute session, indicating that the experience was impactful and meaningful. They felt safe to explore their grief and reported a deeper connection to their loved one’s post-session.
I assessed the capstone’s success by reflecting on participant engagement, the involvement of my equine co-coaches, and alignment with the core principles of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method®. This evaluation confirmed the effectiveness of integrating grief healing within this framework.
Future Directions: Building on insights I gained from this capstone, my next steps include connecting with more individuals experiencing grief to share the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® practices and the powerful presence of horses. I intend to create a supportive space for individuals to step out of grief and into joy.
Acknowledgments: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my coach, whose guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support have been instrumental throughout my grief journey. I am also deeply thankful to the participants who courageously shared their grief journeys with me, and to the horses at Freedom Farm, whose presence brought unconditional love. Finally, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Melisa Pearce, founder of Touched by A Horse® and the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method®, who has shared her knowledge, wisdom, and insight with the graduates of her programs to assist others in their healing journeys. If it weren’t for Melisa, this method and capstone would not exist.
References:
Manzione, J. (2017). Quantifying the Outcomes of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method 2017. Boulder, CO: https://www.xanthuscenter.com
Pearce, M. (2019). What the Heck is Gestalt? Elizabeth, CO: Touched by Horse, Inc