Deborah Whalen, lcsw

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Horsewoman                                                    

Trauma Specialist

Equipoise Academy Founder

Equipoise: 

A state of Equilibrium; Balance of Forces or Interests; Counterbalance 

                       Equipoise Academy is a Passion Project 

Inspired by Deborah’s 24 years as a practicing Human Psychological Trauma Specialist, her Devotion to the Welfare of Horses, her commitment to the Classical Principles of Riding in Lightness and the Humane Training of Horses through the Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive methods (LIMA). 

Deborah’s extensive training in stress, trauma, interpersonal and relational psychology, cognition, learning and neurobiology led to a deep curiosity about horse psychology and behavior with a focus on the experience of horses within the human-equine dyad. Deborah is interested in the traumatized horse and how the natural state of horses as prey animals replicates trauma responses in humans and how this impacts the partnership. Her work aims to assist riders and owners in detangling the cycles that cause obstacles to the joy of riding and being with horses, interfere with positive progress, and can lend themselves to inhumane ways of interacting with the horse. 

Equipoise Academy will offer individual sessions, clinics, and programs that stimulate holistic learning that encompasses Deborah’s vision of a fully integrative approach to horsemanship that is healing for humans and horses alike. 

We will explore body, mind, psyche, myth, dance, science, history & spirit.  

Deborah is:

● A Candidate in the 1st ever Certification Program in Positive Reinforcement @ Shawna Karrasch Equine 

● Licensed to practice as a Clinical Social Worker in NM, AZ and NY 

● Certified in the Treatment of Trauma by the Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis and the Colorado Professional Development Center 

● Certified in Horse & Yoga Integration through Equine OM 

● Certified Yoga Instructor through Yoga Union NYC 

● NIA White Belt  

● The Founder and Clinical Director of Zephyrus, a program open for 10 years, dedicated to the treatment of Trauma and Eating Disorders in Santa Fe, NM