The names don’t tell you everything. Talk therapy sounds fairly self-explanatory, until you wonder what you’re supposed to talk about for an entire appointment. Somatic therapy takes a little more explaining. Animal-assisted therapy sounds like it might involve a farm, but that isn’t necessarily so.
And a farm visit isn’t necessarily therapy. That’s an important distinction for us at Nunley Family Farm in Tennessee, where our offerings include animal-assisted and nature-based programs. We want you to ask what a particular program involves, not book it on the strength of a word that can mean different things in different places.
Talking, With Some Help
You needn’t rehearse for a first appointment. If all you can get out is that you’ve felt awful lately and don’t know why, start there. There will be time for the rest.
When someone says “talk therapy,” they usually mean psychotherapy led by a licensed mental health clinician. Before you book, it helps to confirm that credential. Don’t just assume it is in place. You can also ask what they were trained in, especially if you have a specific issue in mind. The sessions can look different depending on the approach. For example, with cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT, you may look at a recurring thought, notice what it brings up inside you, and pay attention to what you tend to do next. There may be practice to take home. Other approaches might give more time to talking about a relationship or grief. If you want a starting point, Cleveland Clinic has a psychotherapy guide. [1] You can bring up your needs right away. You might say, “I want tools I can use during the week. Is that something you do?” Or if you feel uneasy about talking with a stranger, say that plainly. You are not the only one who has felt that way.
Somatic Means The Body Is Part Of The Conversation
Say you’re discussing a difficult day. You know the story, but you also notice that you’ve been holding your shoulders up near your ears. A somatic approach might spend some time there, noticing what you’re feeling physically rather than moving straight on to the next part of the story. Breathing exercises or movement may be involved; the details depend on the method. [2]
It doesn’t mean you stop talking. And regular talk therapy doesn’t pretend you haven’t got a body. These aren’t sealed-off categories.
There is a research question to ask here, though. Harvard Health describes a thinner evidence base for somatic therapy than for CBT. [2] ‘Somatic’ isn’t enough information by itself. Which method? What evidence supports using it for your concern? What license and training does the practitioner have? Get those answers before committing. If an exercise makes you uncomfortable, you can decline it or ask to pause and discuss it.
Where Do The Animals Come In?
Not every activity involving an animal is animal-assisted therapy. Learning about horses on a farm day, for instance, isn’t the same thing as attending a clinical appointment, no matter how much you may enjoy it!
For the clinical definition, Pet Partners is useful: animal-assisted therapy has treatment goals, as well as a plan and documented progress. A qualified health or human-service professional directs it within the limits of their profession. [3] For psychotherapy involving animals, that means an appropriately licensed mental health clinician. The animal doesn’t replace that person’s qualifications.
Someone who finds conversation difficult may find an animal’s presence helpful in therapy. Someone afraid of horses may feel quite differently. Neither response needs arguing with. The American Psychiatric Association discusses how animals may help people participate in care, but also cautions that they aren’t a replacement for usual treatment. The animal’s welfare matters as well. [4]
What We’re Offering At Nunley Family Farm
We’re a military and law enforcement family. Giving back to our community is personal for us, and the farm includes equine and other farm animal-assisted services, farm days, community farm produce, and nature-themed experiences.
Those are descriptions of our offerings, not a claim of psychotherapy credentials. When you contact us, ask about the activity you’re interested in and who will be leading it. Looking specifically for clinical treatment? Say so, and confirm whether that particular program provides it and who the licensed clinician is. Don’t take ‘animal-assisted’ alone as your answer.
You can get quite practical with the questions. ‘My child wants to watch but doesn’t want to touch an animal. Is that an option?’ Or, ‘I have trouble walking on uneven ground. What would the visit involve?’ Bring up allergies and fears before booking, too. Ask what safety arrangements are in place for visitors and animals. We don’t want you relying on a guess about what a farm visit includes.
If You’re Still Unsure
You can take the question to your primary care provider or a licensed mental health professional without first choosing a type of therapy. Tell them what’s been hard. That’s a starting point, not a test you have to pass.
And if you already see a therapist, talk with them about any animal-assisted work you’re considering. A recreational farm activity doesn’t take the place of your care. Being curious about it isn’t a reason to stop treatment or change your plan on your own.
Further Reading
[1] Cleveland Clinic: Psychotherapy.
[2] Harvard Health Publishing: What Is Somatic Therapy?
[3] Pet Partners: Animal-Assisted Intervention Terminology.
[4] American Psychiatric Association: Companion Animals, Therapy Animals, and Mental Well-Being.
Ask About A Farm Visit
To learn about Nunley Family Farm in Tennessee, call (951) 202-7727. Ask about farm days, animal-assisted programs, or the nature-themed experiences that caught your attention. There’s no need to pick something from a description alone; get the details before deciding on a visit.