Equine-Assisted Therapy: How Horses Help People Heal | Denise Stergoulis

Send us Fan MailCan horses help people heal from addiction, ADHD, trauma, and emotional challenges in a deeper, more connected way?In this episode of Living A Life In Balance, Denise Stergoulis joins Abdullah Boulad, CEO of THE BALANCE Rehab Clinic, for a powerful conversation about equine therapy, addiction recovery, ADHD, mental health, trauma healing, relapse, personal growth, and the emotional connection between humans and horses.Drawing from her own recovery journey, Denise shares how overcoming addiction led her to become an addiction therapist and equine therapy practitioner. She discusses growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia, finding purpose later in life, and the lessons she has learned from helping people navigate recovery, relapse, trauma, and personal growth.The episode explores how horses can act as powerful emotional mirrors, helping individuals build self-awareness, trust, confidence, and connection. Denise also explains why recovery is about much more than stopping a behavior, it is about addressing the deeper issues underneath and creating lasting change.Whether you are interested in mental health, addiction recovery, ADHD, personal development, trauma healing, or equine-assisted therapy, this episode offers practical insights, hope, and inspiration.About Denise:Denise is an experienced Integrative therapist with specialist recognition in substance addiction. She combines her extensive experience with an incisive, challenging, and empowering style to maximize healing and growth. She combines traditional methods with specialist equine-assisted psychotherapy to develop a highly tailored plan for a wide variety of clients. 00:00:00 - From Addiction Recovery To Helping Others Heal00:01:32 - The Power Of Hope In Recovery And Healing00:03:11 - Growing Up With Undiagnosed ADHD And Dyslexia00:04:52 - Leaving London To Find Purpose In Australia00:07:39 - How An ADHD Diagnosis Changed Everything00:09:50 - Why Horses Became A Lifelong Source Of Strength00:12:17 - Building Confidence Through Horses And Purpose00:14:19 - From Media Career To Motherhood And Identity Loss00:18:59 - Reinventing Life After Raising Three Children00:22:06 - From Patient To Addiction Therapist At The Priory00:23:43 - Going Back To University Later In Life00:26:41 - What Working In Addiction Recovery Taught Me00:30:47 - Why Addiction Recovery Is Harder Than Most People Think00:33:48 - The Habits Behind Long-Term Recovery Success00:37:27 - How Equine Therapy Helps People Heal Faster00:43:55 - How Horses Detect Human Emotions And Anxiety00:47:34 - Why Equine Therapy Helps People Get Unstuck00:50:27 - Inside An Equine Therapy Session00:58:04 - Who Can Benefit Most From Horse-Assisted Therapy?01:03:34 - Finding Purpose, Passion And Balance In LifeFollow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/   Follow Denise:https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-stergoulis-mbacp-accred-714187104/You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51 Follow THE BALANCE Rehab Clinic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalancerehabclinic/    https://www.instagram.com/thebalancerehabclinic/    #AddictionRecovery #EquineTherapy #HorseTherapy #MentalHealth #ADHD #RecoveryJourney #PersonalDevelopment #TraumaRecovery #Neurodiversity #AddictionTreatment #SelfAwareness #HealingJourney #LivingALifeInBalance #Podcast