‘Opportunities for growth and insight’

PRINCETON — Licensed Mental Health Counselor Erin Flowers offers a unique approach to therapy for adults by incorporating horses and the healing power of nature into the counseling process.

“I am truly excited to welcome clients to WildFlowers’ Walks & Wellness, where therapy is reimagined through the healing power of horses and nature at Cornerstone Ranch,” Flowers said about the program recently launched at the farm located at 29 Dowds Ln. in Princeton.

According to a press release, WildFlowers’ Walks & Wellness offers clients a supportive, story-driven, experiential environment to explore personal challenges and growth. Flowers is welcoming adult clients and offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation for anyone interested in learning more about this transformative approach.

Through this practice, she offers clients the opportunity to engage with horses — highly perceptive animals who naturally reflect human behavior and emotions.

“These interactions help participants build self-awareness, practice emotional regulation, and experience authentic, nonjudgmental connection,” Flowers said. “The therapy framework encourages clients to discover, change, and create their own stories in a collaborative and non-confrontational setting. The stories we tell ourselves shape our views, our world, and our relationships, but these narratives can change. Working with horses in nature allows clients to experience personal insight and genuine connection in a new way.”

She has been riding horses since college, is a licensed riding instructor, and Flowers shared that she has ridden horses at Cornerstone Ranch with the Connell family for many years.

“Their dedication to the horses’ mental and physical well-being gives me confidence in the health and happiness of our equine partners,” Flowers said of Sue Connell and her daughter Julia Connell, who run the ranch. “The Connells’ training program is consistent and respectful of each horse’s nature. I am proud to partner with Cornerstone Ranch, a fourth-generation, women-owned and operated business as the host location for my practice.”

She went on to say many people think of therapy “as an exchange where the therapist serves as the authority and their role is analyzing a client’s thoughts, patterns, emotions, and actions.”

“However, new ideas in psychology emphasize a collaborative approach,” Flowers said. “While I am an expert in mental health treatment, I am not an expert on another person’s life. Every individual is shaped by their family, culture, and worldview. My goal is to listen to my clients’ stories and help them develop new ones or new solutions within the arena.

“Horses and nature introduce unexpected opportunities for growth and insight, guiding the process and enriching each client’s experience,” she continued. “By encouraging clients to explore and reshape their stories in this setting, we open the door to viewing their narratives from a creative, non-blaming, and experiential perspective.

Being a therapist for many years, Flowers said she is interested in wellness practices such as this — and that she has led a nature therapy guided practice since 2023.

“Nature is a powerful ally in restoring the parasympathetic nervous system, helping us reset and heal in a relaxed state,” said Flowers. “As highly social animals, horses are exceptional co-facilitators. They thrive on clear communication and healthy boundaries.”

For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 978-991-866, email [email protected], and visit wildflowerswalks.com.