Transformative equine assisted psychotherapy in Austin.
Healing through connection.
Transformative equine assisted psychotherapy in Austin.
About Seven Bridges Psychotherapy
Our Mission
At Seven Bridges Psychotherapy, our mission is to provide compassionate and effective therapy to individuals seeking healing through relationship. We focus on equine assisted psychotherapy to foster deep emotional connections within self and others.
Hannah Collmann LCSW Co-Founder, Program Director, Mental Health Counselor
I am Hannah Collmann, a clinical social worker and program director of Seven Bridges Psychotherapy. I come from a family of healers, and followed in their footsteps to obtain my Bachelor of Social Work and my Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. Over the years of practicing mental health counseling, I found that while talk therapy can be incredibly healing, it also has its limitations. Therefore I pursued training in experiential forms of therapy such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).
A particular passion of mine, present throughout my life, has been fostering healthy relationships. I believe this passion was born out of my first interactions with horses. For nearly 20 years, I have been riding and caring for horses. It wasn’t until my training with Natural Lifemanship™ though, that my relationship with equines significantly deepened. My love for horses and my passion for mental health combined in the beautiful approach we call Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Through our team of professionals and horses, we hope to serve as guides, mirrors and companions in navigating the difficult parts of being human. I am excited to be working as a mother daughter duo to provide this unique form of healing.
Gwen Collmann Co-Founder, Equine Manager, Equine Specialist
I am Gwen Collmann, the owner and barn manager at Thistle Dew Ranch. I am a daughter, mother, wife, pediatric nurse practitioner and a professional photographer. My passion for horses began when I was a child, and was rekindled when my daughter, Hannah, started riding at a young age. I recognized the profound impact horses can have on young minds and hearts, so in 2006 I opened Alafina Equestrian Academy, a haven for young equestrians embarking on their riding and relational journey with horses. I experienced the impact of how horses, as partners, taught children and adults how to learn patience, empathy, responsibility, and trust. Through this partnership the individual often gains insights into their own behaviors, emotions, and patterns, which can be transformative in personal growth and relationship-building. I am thrilled to be working with Hannah as an Equine Specialist with Seven Bridges Psychotherapy
Seven Bridges Psychotherapy Psychotherapy
Individual Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Our equine therapy program is based on the Natural Lifemanship™ model of Trauma-Informed Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TI-EAP). This approach uses the horse-human relationship as a powerful foundation for emotional healing and self-improvement. Because horses naturally and non-judgmentally reflect human emotions, their sensitivity provides real-time feedback on a client's energy, body language, and emotional state. This allows clients to quickly identify and address internal patterns of anxiety, stress, or emotional blockages, offering a dynamic and impactful alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Group Equine Assisted Learning
Equine assisted learning is designed for groups of 4-6 people who want to learn more about the human-equine relationship and mental health. Equine assisted learning groups offer real-life, hands-on opportunities to explore collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication. Group learning creates an opportune environment for connection between participants, facilitators and our equine partners. Horses naturally respond to group energy, providing instant feedback that helps participants recognize their strengths and areas for growth. This is a psychoeducational, one time group offered once a month.
Group Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy groups are designed for cohorts of 4–6 individuals seeking to explore deeper connections to themselves and others through the powerful human-equine relationship. These group programs are tailored for specific populations and run for six weeks. The cohort format offers a unique chance for sustained growth, allowing you to connect deeply with your peers and integrate valuable learning and insights week after week.
Who do we serve?
Adults 18+ looking to learn more about themselves and how they relate to others. Parents, healthcare workers, first responders, healers & helpers, individuals and couples dealing with:
- Relationship issues
- Developmental trauma
- Communication skills
- Setting boundaries
- Self esteem
- Spirituality
- Stress
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression