Emma Rogers, LCSW-C EGC, The Wellness House of Annapolis
Introduction: This capstone project will review the impact of an ongoing Equine Gestalt Coaching group for individuals and their caretakers navigating cancer. Through facilitator observation and member feedback, this capstone will demonstrate the transformative effect of EGC group experiences on this population.
Significance: Cancer patients face numerous financial, social-emotional, and psychological challenges as a result of their cancer diagnosis (Essue et al., 2020). Growing research identifies the positive results of body-based experiential approaches to therapy for individuals navigating cancer (Cillessen et al., 2019), as well as the impact of equine interventions specifically for cancer patients (Murphy et al., 2019). The Equine Gestalt Coaching method utilizes somatic awareness guidance, gestalt experiences, and the human-horse connection to deepen awareness and create opportunities for healing and transformation (Pearce, 2019). The EGC groups at Wellness House combine the effectiveness of experiential therapy with the healing power of horses to reduce a participant’s experience of psychological stressors related to cancer and increase their sense of resilience.
Purpose: The purpose of this capstone is to identify the impact of an equine gestalt coaching group on individuals navigating cancer.
Setting and Participants: This capstone took place in the indoor arena of Chesapeake Dressage in Annapolis, Maryland. Participants attending were members of Wellness House of Annapolis. Participation in each group was capped at 10 members and consisted of adults aged 18 or older. The group was conducted one to two times per month during August–December 2024, February–December 2025, and March– Present 2026
Capstone Description/Process: The equine gestalt coaching group at Wellness House of Annapolis began with members sitting in a circle and engaged in a contact-creating check-in, followed by equine gestalt interventions in partnership with a horse at liberty in the round pen. Each equine gestalt group lasted 90 minutes and concluded with a checkout circle where members shared their takeaways from the group. After checkout, members were given a five-question post-test survey to rate their experience of the group. Members were also sent an annual program survey for each of Wellness House’s programs, including the equine gestalt group.
Capstone Results/Impact: During the EGC group program, challenges in scheduling with Chesapeake Dressage and ensuring meaningful horse engagement within 90 minutes were addressed. In its third year, members highlighted the healing effects of the equine gestalt coaching group on their cancer journey. Attendance metrics, facilitator observations, and member feedback confirm the program’s positive impact at Wellness House of Annapolis.
Capstone Evaluation: The capstone was evaluated through the results of a yearly program survey distributed to Wellness House members, facilitator observation, and a post-test member survey distributed after each group. Yearly survey results yielded positive results with members giving details regarding the uplifting and connective experience of the equine gestalt coaching group. Facilitator observation notes the depth and comfort of member sharing, the “lightness” of spirit visible following sessions, and the physical energy shifts members noted when being with horses. All members surveyed in the post-survey tests reported a 4 or greater on a 1-5 scale in the areas of increased coping, overall satisfaction, and decrease in feelings of anxiety and sadness.
Future Directions: Future research and evaluation of the impact of equine gestalt coaching experiences for this population is recommended, with an emphasis on gathering additional post-test survey data and the potential introduction of a pre-test survey.
Acknowledgments: I would like to acknowledge Mary Jermann, President and CEO of Wellness House of Annapolis, for supporting my vision for the Wellness House Healing with Horses program; Janet Richardson-Pearson, for her incredible heart and generosity in sharing her horses with the members of Wellness House; and Melisa Pearce, for the life-changing training and method of Equine Gestalt Coaching.
References:
American Cancer Society. (2025). Estimated number of new cancer cases and deaths by state, US, 2025.
Essue, B. M., Iragorri, N., Fitzgerald, N., & de Oliveira, C. (2020). The psychosocial cost burden of cancer: A systematic literature review. Psycho-Oncology, 29(11), 1746–1760
Murphy, L., Tseng, A., & Brown, R. (2019). Pilot study of equine-facilitated cancer therapy. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(10), 1021–1027.
Pearce, M. B. (2019). What the heck is Gestalt? Dragonheart Writing & Editing.