At EASE PROGRAMS AT QUANTUM LEAP FARM
At EASE utilizes the EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Sessions may be conducted for individuals, couples, families or groups. Goals are established by participants and provide the opportunity to improve communication skills, family reintegration, relationship building, coping skills, trauma resolution and other goals relating to healing, personal growth and development. Specially designed unmounted activities with horses precipitate experiential learning and self exploration. Participants are self-referred or may be referred by a medical or mental health professional.
The W.O.W. (Women of Warriors) At EASE program is specifically designed to serve an often forgotten population of caregivers. These women come to us from all over the U.S. overwhelmed, exhausted and isolated and leave empowered, renewed and connected. They share a common bond by being caregivers to loved ones who are dealing with the visible and invisible wounds of war, specifically PTSD and TBI. The well-being of these caregivers is integral to developing, recovering and maintaining healthy and productive lives for those warriors and families who give so much to the rest of us.
The entire retreat facilitates trauma resolution, peer to peer interaction and a new perspective through education and action with horses that mimics behaviors present in times of anxiety and stress in order to resolve and implement productive coping strategies. Quantum Leap Farm's beautiful, peaceful environment sets the stage for a truly healing and transfiguring weekend for these inspiring women who deserve the very best!! Click here to see an inspiring video about our Quantum Leap W.O.W. workshops.
Quotes from W.O.W. Participants
“I’ve been in this boat alone-not knowing anyone else who has gone down the same path. It was comforting to hear your stories of similarity and I hope over time we can help each other with ideas, resources or simply support. It will be powerful coming from any of you knowing that we all truly understand the challenges in our lives. Thank you for organizing a wonderful weekend and for inviting me."
“The hands on work with the horses was the best, it really helped me to clearly
visualize my own behavior and how I affect others around me”
“Every discussion was valuable, enlightening and create thoughts that we can carry back with us in our own realities.”
“The activities with the horses were so powerful, I saw so much of the dynamic between my husband and I play out. I was able to be open with others trying to deal with similar issues. My frustration and lack of knowledge were exhausting my ability to care for my whole family."
“In two days, this program did for me what 4 + years of conventional therapy and reading books on my own could not accomplish. My life will be greatly impacted by this retreat in the most positive way imaginable."
“It has been an amazing weekend. I have learned so many things about myself. I didn’t expect this weekend to be as insightful as it was."
“I would highly recommend this program to others and hope that it will continue to be available to more wives, veterans, couples and more.”
Quantum Leap Farm Customized Corporate Workshops offer leadership development and team building through At EASE experiential learning to enhance your corporate teams’ communication, efficiency and productivity. Learn about yourself, your colleagues and how to optimize your collective strengths, skills and resources. You’ll recognize and coordinate complimentary talents and begin developing a more positive and cohesive corporate culture. Goals for customized corporate workshops are determined by the group and may include improving teamwork, leadership skills, relationship building, cooperation, trust, respect and problem solving. Workshops for corporate or professional groups may be one-half day, 1 day or 2 day events.
At EASE and Corporate Workshop participants have been referred by the SOCOM Family Care Coalition, Operation Homefront, Family Resource Centers at MacDill Air Force Base, the University of South Florida’s Leadership Institute, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program, Bay Pines Veterans Medical Center Recreational Therapy Department, St. Pete College, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department, NeuroRestorative and other local corporations and businesses.
AT EASE Co-Directors – Our Equine Assisted Self ExplorationTM Team, Carla Staats and Jenna Miller, hold Masters Degrees in Mental Health Counseling and are certified EAP EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Leaning Association) professionals.
Carla Berry Staats, Co-Director At EASE Program
MA, LCDC, CAP, CTT, Behavioral Health Counselor and Trauma Therapist, EAP EAGALA Certified Professional
As founder and president of Staats Behavioral Health Consulting, LLC, Carla Berry Staats possesses both a Master of Arts in Counseling from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is a board certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Certified Trauma Therapist, and a Certified Addictions Professional. In addition, she holds an EAGALA certification (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, a certificate to conduct family mediations and is partnered with the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE). Her experience includes working with military service members, veterans, law enforcement, and civilian adults, as well as adolescents in both residential and outpatient settings.
Carla’s work focuses on assisting clients, both individuals and groups, in replacing unhealthy habits with more effective solution-producing behaviors to the enhancement of each client’s lifestyle and relationships. Her unique approach of mind, body, and spirit combined with her affinity for people and horses has guided her enduring interest in equine-assisted learning. As a horse owner and equestrienne, Carla recognizes the vast potential for understanding and growth through the metaphoric interaction between human and equine. Among the many benefits of team and relationship building in this distinctive setting are improved coping strategies, communication skills, and conflict and trauma resolution. She developed the At EASE Equine Assisted Self ExplorationTM Program now utilized at Quantum Leap Farm in Odessa, Florida.
Find out more about Carla and her work at www.UnitedWeStandAt-EASE.com.
Jenna Miller, Co-Director At EASE Program, Head Therapeutic Riding Instructor
MA, RMHCI, Working Toward Licensure in the State of Florida, EAP EAGALA Certified Professional
An avid horsewomen and horse lover from a young age, Jenna has been involved in the equestrian world for over 20 years, including the roles of competitor and coach to adolescents in the art of horsemanship. Jenna possesses a B.S. in Animal Science (Equine Studies) from the University of Florida and Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. She is now working as a registered Mental Health Counseling intern towards licensure in the state of Florida. Jenna spent her MHC internship working with Tampa’s homeless population at Metropolitan Ministries and since 2008 has worked with individuals, families and groups including different veteran populations from both James A. Haley and Bay Pines VA hospitals, as well as active duty military and their families utilizing the At EASE (Equine Assisted Self Exploration) program at Quantum Leap Farm.
As Co-Director of the At EASE program Jenna believes this field of work can transform and empower lives by helping clients put the focus back on their own locus of control, resolving trauma, and offering a truly healing environment for healthy coping skills to emerge as well as increased emotional well-being. Jenna also spends her time as a therapeutic riding instructor at Quantum Leap Farm, where she assists individuals in improving their physical, mental and social well being. Jenna’s passion for horses and their innate ability to impact individuals in a myriad of ways, as well as her continuing interest in the human psyche and belief in the mind, body, spirit connection has led her to the fascinating field of EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy). Her belief is that EAP is an amazing form of experiential therapy where individuals can draw powerful metaphors by interacting with horses allowing for discoveries about oneself, one’s relationships and the world around them.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”- Victor Frankl
Please call Quantum Leap Farm at (813) 920-9250, or submit a web form for more information on Quantum Leap Farm At EASE Programs, Workshops & Retreats..