UPDATE: Ellie Mental Health in Peabody is set to revolutionize mental health therapy this Saturday with a groundbreaking training event titled “Dogs as Healers: Canines in the Mental Health Counseling Setting.” The training will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Community Covenant Church, aiming to highlight the transformative power of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT).
Clinic Director Deb Madera emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches, stating, “It’s so powerful, and some of the results are so immediate.” With the training designed for 40 licensed mental health professionals, this event aims to provide invaluable insights into how animals can enhance therapy sessions.
Madera, who has extensive experience in integrating animals into therapy, shares that AAT is not just for children—it helps clients uncover core issues more rapidly than traditional talk therapy. “I have never seen any client who I’ve engaged with any sort of Animal Assisted Therapy—not benefit from it,” she said passionately.
A compelling example Madera provided involved her therapy dog, Molly. One clinician struggled to connect with Molly, prompting Madera to ask about her personal life. The clinician realized that her approach with Molly mirrored her relationship with her teenage daughter. “That’s the power of using dogs,” Madera noted. “Dogs sense what’s going on, and they allow us to externalize out onto them.”
This Saturday’s training is free for participants, who will also earn credits toward their license renewal. Madera aims to make training accessible by scheduling it on a weekend, addressing the common challenge clinicians face in taking time off for professional development. Lunch will be provided by Acadia Healthcare to ensure a comprehensive and convenient experience.
Madera underscores the importance of the dogs used in therapy, which are “family pets who are well-loved and cared for,” and stresses the value of allowing them to be themselves during sessions. “I want Molly to react to people the way she wants to react to people,” she explained, highlighting the unique insights these interactions can provide.
As mental health needs continue to rise, events like this one are crucial in equipping professionals with innovative tools that can lead to immediate results for clients. With only a few days remaining until the training, the anticipation is building for what could be a game-changer in mental health therapy.
Stay tuned for updates from this vital training event as Ellie Mental Health leads the way in integrating animal therapy into mental health practices.
