Jenn Field EGCM™ GCM™
Warrior Nation LLC
Introduction: In this capstone project, the theme of freedom is explored through the lens of Equine Gestalt coaching, detailing the deep emotional transformations and personal breakthroughs, that occur within my clients and myself.
Significance: Beginning with clients who often feel emotionally imploded, we journey together toward personal freedom, reconnecting them with purpose, restoring their sense of mission, and helping them find their team again. And, this results in freedom of their mind, freedom from their past, and freedom for the future. The horses serve as a way to look deeper into themselves, and are partners in this process, facilitating and empowering profound breakthroughs that go beyond traditional therapy by actively participating in each session.
Purpose: Lightning bolt moments happen in our lives and can alter the course of our lives, keeping us stuck, searching for identity, and asking who has the answers. This project centers on actionable applications such as self-awareness, purpose, and mission alignment, discovering who is on your team, identity, self-integration, and moving to self-compassion. The horses help clients experience true freedom while reconnecting us to purpose, restoring a sense of mission, and finding our team again.
Setting and Participants: This project, known as the capstone, was carried out in Canada and the U.S. spanning 3 years. The work focused on men and women aged 21-65 seeking meaningful transformation and growth. People who carry unresolved emotional pain, trauma, or unfinished business and are ready to engage in a non-judgemental space, willing to explore deep emotions and embrace personal breakthroughs. They are participants searching for clarity on their mission, purpose, or life direction, drawn to the empowering environment that horses provide.
Capstone Description and Process: The horses provide energetic reflection and nonverbal communication. This feedback is profound and intuitive and helps the clients to see how their internal state impacts their external environment. To gain clarity and insight through the horses’ responses, which are honest, non-judgemental, and immediate. This creates opportunities for deep emotional breakthroughs in a tangible and undeniable way. This process builds a path toward healing. We met in weekly Groups, One-on-One Personal Client sessions, and Retreats. Offering a combination of group synergy, individual focus, and immersive environments, equine gestalt coaching provides a comprehensive framework for lasting transformation.
Capstone Results and Impact: This work has not only transformed my clients but has also reshaped my relationships in my life as well as with my horses and my sense of identity as a competitive athlete. This integration has enhanced my performance in competition, my business, and my relationships. Resulting in emotional release and healing, increased self-awareness, empowered decision-making, strengthened relationships, integration, and wholeness. Impacting a ripple effect on communities. Equine gestalt coaching has proven itself to be transformative and life-changing, for both myself and my clients. This freedom is the essence of our work, and the horses guide us toward it with every session.
Capstone Evaluation: Ultimately, the capstone demonstrates that true freedom comes from knowing and trusting oneself fully, releasing the emotional and physical blocks that hold us captive, and moving forward with clarity, confidence, boldness, courage, compassion, and peace. The power of this work shows in its ability to release the individual from past trauma and limiting beliefs, creating space for freedom, purpose, love, joy, mission, and having a team again.
Future Directions: Some future directions are furthering the Freedom Formula to help clients remove barriers to freedom in specific areas of life, aligning them with their values and purpose.
Acknowledgments: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Melisa Pierce, whose vision, dedication, and compassion brought the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method to life. Melissa, your unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in this work have been a source of inspiration. Through your life’s purpose, my purpose emerged. To my family, my husband, and my children, thank you for your endless love, patience, and support throughout this journey. Your belief in me gave me the strength and courage to pursue this path, and I am forever grateful for the sacrifices you have made to help me realize my dreams. To the Science Team, thank you for your invaluable insights, collaboration, and dedication to advancing this work. Your expertise and passion have been instrumental in enriching my understanding and practice, and I am honored to have such an incredible team. And to the horses, the beautiful, amazing, and powerful beings who are at the heart of this work. Your intuitive wisdom, gentle presence, and capacity to connect so deeply with the human spirit have been my greatest teachers. You carry the long legacy of partnership with humanity, where you have been symbols of freedom, strength, and resilience. Your steadfast presence has shaped and inspired generations. I am in awe of your ability to transform lives simply by being who you are. Finally, to all my clients, colleagues, and mentors Peggy Mcarthur, Risa August, and our entire Forces of Nature GCM ™ Cohort thank you for trusting me, sharing your stories, and teaching me just as much as I hope I have helped you. This capstone is a reflection of the transformative power of connection, and I am humbled to be a part of this journey with you.
References:
Dotz, T. and Hoobyar, T. (2013). NLP: The Essential Guide to Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Pearce, M. (2019). What the Heck is Gestalt? Touched by Horse, Inc
Van Der Kolk, Bessel (2015). The Body keeps the Score. Penguin Books