Therapist's Life Informs Her Work

Chehalis, Washington- Life doesn't always go according to our plan and no one knows that better than Leigh Shambo. A passionate horse lover since childhood, Leigh parlayed years in the saddle and a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Southern Illinois University into a successful career as a riding instructor and stable manager.

Then, in 1988 when she turned 31, fate intervened. A serious riding accident, followed by the death of her mother by suicide left Leigh seriously injured both physically and emotionally. The combination of these unexpected events ended her "normal" life and left her vulnerable, incapacitated and in need of deep, authentic support to facilitate her recovery.

Over the ensuing decade, Leigh was forced to examine the residual scarring from her dysfunctional, alcoholic family while she slowly reclaimed her physical strength and resumed her horse training practice. During her rehabilitation process, she became attuned to the extraordinary sensitivity shown by horses during her emotional and spiritual healing. She fixated on horsemanship as a catalyst for human psychological growth, and began training for her second career as a mental health counselor.

Today Leigh has composed the elements of her life into a unique, successful human mental health and personal growth practice. She teaches workshops and individual sessions guiding people in a transformative blend of psychological savvy, energetic awareness and relationship building using horses as therapy tools. Her focus on emotional fitness, relationship skills and spiritual growth is facilitated by horses. She is conducting an introductory lecture on "Invisible Horsemanship" in Cove, OR at Potter's Horse World on April 26, from 5-7 PM. Potter's Horse World is also hosting the 3-day Invisible Horsemanship workshop on April 27-29.

"The horses are responsive to each person's flow of consciousness," says Leigh. "They show attraction and cooperation with us when our intentions are authentic and empowered. A horse can function as bio feedback for the soul."

In today's culture, many people are conditioned to ignore input from their own senses. In some cases, the word 'professional' is a synonym for being inauthentic about one's real feelings. "Horses can help us bring our true feelings to consciousness and show us the value of staying close to our real feelings in each moment," Leigh believes.

"As I educate people about the healing aspects of the horse-human bond, I help people reconnect to the bodily experience of knowing and to the freedom to act upon that knowing," she says. "But," Leigh adds, "living close to your true feelings is not as easy as it sounds, it requires us to grow once we start listening carefully to our own heart.

Leigh offers a series of workshops designed for people who want to reconnect with their authentic self. Many people who have learned to protect themselves from their feelings find working with a horse can help reestablish a connection with their true selves. "Horses are sensitive to and perceptive about our non-verbal thoughts, intentions and values. It can truly seem as if they are reading our minds-often better than we know our own," Leigh concludes.

Equine-facilitated therapy has been used successfully with all types of clients, says Shambo. Her clientele ranges from people who simply want to work more effortlessly with their horses to women who have been victims of violence or sexual abuse. "Horses can help reestablish lost trust, both in our true feelings and in our relationships with others, "Leigh believes.

Leigh Shambo, MSW, is a clinical therapist and educator, and registered Washington State mental health counselor since 2000. She incorporates her lifelong work with horses into her practice; using horses in her therapeutic strategies. She is a frequent guest lecturer and has been invited to present workshops throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. She is a member of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Chapter of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, and an Advanced Instructor in Equine Facilitate Experiential Learning, certified by Linda Kohanov's Epona Center in Tucson, Arizona. When not teaching or traveling, Leigh can be found at home on her ranch near Chehalis, Washington, nurturing her herd of five horses.