MBCT & Equine Therapy for Creative Minds

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Creative minds are not just people who paint or compose music. Creativity is a set of
personality traits: openness, curiosity, emotional depth, sensitivity, and unconventional
thinking. These traits shape how a person experiences the world (Cisneros, 2023; Feist,
2019). They enrich life and produce innovation, but they also come with challenges:
overthinking, emotional intensity, vulnerability to stress, and self-criticism. Because of this,
Creative people often benefit from therapeutic approaches that meet them where they are:
experiential, relational, and imaginative. Two models, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
(MBCT) and the HEAL method of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFTP), offer powerful
pathways for creative thinkers. Together, they connect mind, body, and relational experience
in ways that help creatives thrive.

What is MBCT?

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is a structured, research-supported approach that
integrates mindfulness meditation practices with principles of cognitive therapy (Segal,
Williams, & Teasdale, 2018). Originally developed to prevent depression relapse, MBCT has
since been applied to a wide range of mental health needs, including anxiety, stress
reduction, and emotional regulation. As a certified MBCT practitioner, I have seen how its
practices, such as observing thoughts nonjudgmentally, cultivating present-moment
awareness, and gently disengaging from mental ruminations, align beautifully with creative
personalities. Creatives often wrestle with racing thoughts, perfectionism, or anxiety about
their work and worth. MBCT builds the skill of noticing those patterns without being swept
away by them, making space for creative energy to flow. Research has shown MBCT to be
effective in reducing rumination and improving psychological well-being, especially in
populations vulnerable to depression (Kuyken et al., 2016). For creative thinkers, this ability to step back from self-criticism or “mental loops” can open up the very imaginative capacity that fuels their work.

What is the HEAL Method of EFTP?

I am also certified in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy through the HEAL model, which
emphasizes relational and biological co-regulation between humans and horses (Schlote,
2019). HEAL views therapy as a shared biological process. Our nervous systems resonate
with others through nonverbal communication, physiology, and movement. Horses, as preyanimals highly attuned to social cues, provide immediate and authentic feedback to human states of being. For creative minds, this is transformative. Many creatives possess heightened sensory and emotional sensitivity, a trait that allows them to perceive nuance in art and expression but can also make social interaction overwhelming or dysregulating (Cisneros, 2023). Horses, in their grounded and present-moment awareness, help regulate that sensitivity. They mirror emotions without judgment and invite authentic connection. This creates a living, embodied experience of safety and acceptance.

What Diagnoses Can MBCT and HEAL Support?

While creative personality traits cut across many diagnoses, certain conditions show strong
overlap with the needs that MBCT and HEAL address. Research and clinical practice indicate
these approaches can be especially helpful for:
​

• Depression and Relapse Prevention – MBCT was originally designed to reduce relapse in recurrent depression (Segal et al., 2018). Creative individuals, who are prone to self-criticism and rumination, often find this approach life-changing.

• Anxiety Disorders – The combination of mindfulness and equine co-regulation

        helps reduce worry, panic symptoms, and social anxiety by grounding the nervous                   system in the present moment (Kuyken et al., 2016).

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Trauma – The relational focus of the HEAL model, combined with MBCT’s gentle awareness practices, provides trauma-sensitive pathways to healing without overwhelming the client.
  
  
• ADHD and Other Neurodivergent Profiles – Creative thinkers with attention differences benefit from mindfulness practices that build focus, as well as equine work that provides immediate sensory and relational feedback (Cisneros, 2023).
  
  
• Bipolar Spectrum Disorders – MBCT has been shown to help stabilize mood swings, while equine-assisted work supports regulation and self-awareness (Williams et al., 2008). 
  
  
•  Stress-​Related and Somatic Conditions – Because both MBCT and HEAL emphasize mind-body awareness, they can reduce physical symptoms of stress such as tension, headaches, and digestive issues. Importantly, this is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each creative person brings unique strengths and struggles. MBCT and HEAL work by meeting individuals where they are, offering practical, embodied tools that adapt to diverse diagnoses while honoring creative personality traits.

Why MBCT and HEAL with Horses is Powerful for Creative Thinkers

When combined, MBCT and HEAL form a holistic model of support for creatives:
​

• Mindfulness (MBCT): Helps creatives observe inner experience with clarity, reducing

          rumination and self-doubt.

• Biological Co-regulation (HEAL): Provides relational grounding through horses, helping creatives manage sensitivity and emotional intensity.
• Experiential Learning: Both models emphasize doing and being, not just talking. This resonates with creative personalities who thrive on experiential, sensory, and relational approaches. For example, a creative thinker practicing MBCT in the presence of horses might notice anxious thoughts arise, then ground themselves through mindful breathing while observing the horse’s calm stance. The horse responds to the human’s shift in nervous system state, reinforcing the experience of regulation. This interplay of thought, body, and relationship builds resilience and empowers creatives to live more fully aligned with their personality traits.

As I describe in my Creative Vitality Theory (Cisneros, 2023), creatives need regular, integrated experiences of creativity and self-regulation to maintain mental health. Combining MBCT with HEAL and equine partnership offers exactly this, a pathway to resilience that honors the creative personality.

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Prove It To Yourself

Creative people are wired to think, feel, and experience the world differently. These traits can be both a gift and a burden. MBCT offers tools for managing the mind. HEAL and equine
therapy offer tools for regulating the body and relationships. Together, they create a model
that speaks directly to the creative personality, supporting balance, vitality, and authenticity. If you are a creative person searching for therapy for creatives that truly understands your
needs, I invite you to explore my services at Creatively, LLC. Whether through creativity
coaching, equine therapy in Eldersburg, Maryland, or concierge therapy for creative minds,
you will find support tailored to your unique personality. Visit Creatively, LLC
(https://creativelyllc.com) to learn more about MBCT, equine therapy for anxiety, and creativity courses designed to help you thrive.

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References

Cisneros, C. (2023). Creative Vitality Theory. Creatively, LLC. Retrieved from
https://creativelyllc.com  

Feist, G. J. (2019). The function of personality in creativity.
Cambridge Handbook of Creativity, 353–373. 

Kuyken, W., Warren, F., Taylor, R. S., Whalley, B., Crane, C., Bondolfi, G., ... & Dalgleish, T. (2016). Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in prevention of depressive relapse: An individual patient data meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(6), 565–574. 

Schlote, S. (2019). The HEAL Model of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Human-Equine Alliances for Learning. 

Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2018). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Guilford Publications. 

Williams, J. M. G., Alatiq, Y., Crane, C., Barnhofer, T., Fennell, M. J. V., Duggan, D. S., & Goodwin, G. M. (2008). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in bipolar disorder: Preliminary evaluation of immediate effects on between-episode functioning. Journal of Affective Disorders, 107(1-3), 275–279.

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