About Me
Shannon Hansen, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I feel truly honored that my path lead me to the BEAUTIFUL state of Colorado to practice equine-assisted therapy and nature-based therapy, incorporating the wonderful support of horses, donkeys, dogs, chickens, pigs and the natural world into mental health treatment. I combine this approach with other therapeutic methods that are designed to help you strengthen trust and confidence within yourself, improve relational engagement with others, while also equipping you with the tools and skills to face life’s challenges. I am deeply committed to being a supportive partner on your journey toward healing, growth, and meaningful change.
A little bit about my background, I grew up in the heat of Phoenix, AZ, and went to Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT to study Equine Assisted Therapy and Psychology. I lasted 2 years before realizing winters in Montana were way too cold for me. I transferred down to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, where I finished my bachelor’s degree with concentrations in Human Development and Family Studies, Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. The weather was a decent balance between the extremes I had previously experienced (and their graduate program was exemplary), so I stayed at Texas Tech University to complete my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In 2019, I moved to Colorado, fulfilling a dream of mine since I was young.
My dream has been and continues to be fueled by the passion I have to see the people of this world thrive in a more peaceful, grounded, connected way. In therapeutic services with me, you can expect my passion to shine through my warmth, empathy, humor, blunt transparency, creative solutions, encouragement, and accountability. I love offering a safe space to metaphorically, and literally, get messy in the deep dive of gaining a better understanding of the human experience. With the support of myself, the animals, and many other beings of the natural world, together we will dive in and emerge with the resources and understanding that will help you thrive in life and relationships.
My Approach & Values
I believe healing happens best when therapy is meaningful and engaging. Ideal clients for my work are those ready to experience change and are committed to the process of reflecting and evolving. Whether you’re seeking to overcome anxiety/ depression, navigate relationship challenges, or gain resources to face life’s challenges, I feel confident in my ability to walk alongside you to support your therapeutic journey.
Whether we’re working indoors, outdoors, or virtually, I tailor each session to meet your specific needs, creating a compassionate, safe space where you can explore emotions, build resilience, gain resources, and make meaningful changes in your life.
I think therapy should be a dynamic and personalized experience. My approach combines traditional therapy models such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and other approaches with unique, hands-on methods like Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy and Nature-Based Therapy to help you engage more deeply in the healing process.
Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy
Gestalt Therapy is defined as the process of exploring our experience in and of relationship while in relationship. Holding ‘I-Thou’ with the utmost respect, working to support growth in relationship, deepening contact, and inspiring creative choice are core tenants of this therapy. Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy (GEP) holds the above definition as fundamental as we integrate horses, and therefore nature, into the therapeutic process. Horses bring desire for relationship without prejudice, seeking contact and congruence as the only criteria for the creation of emotional intimacy. Nature exemplifies awareness and presence, providing an opening for us to move into contact and connection in the way in which we are designed – unburdened by layers of familial, societal, and systemic introjects. Horses and nature therefore allow the opportunity to re-create our original attachment with ourselves, the environment, and others when we have experienced emotional injury, relational rupture and/or loss. Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy is our journey into land/nature/equine- based relationship which provides the foundation to heal the nature of our being.
(Written by Duey Freeman and Kimberly Rose, founders of GEP)
Meet the Herd
