This document contains information about equine-facilitated activities and the policies and services provided by Kristin Lacy. These policies will help promote a trusting and productive relationship. Please read it carefully and let me know if you have any questions. 

Participation in Equine-Facilitated Activities 

Equine-facilitated activities consists of work and relational development between participant, equine facilitated activities practitioner, and equines (horses). With equine-facilitated activities, the aim is to develop your communication and relationship building skills through natural horsemanship techniques on the ground Equine-facilitated activities are a client-centered, holistic, and existential perspective. Sharing your experiences in a supportive environment will help you to overcome emotional, behavioral and relationship difficulties you may be experiencing in your life. It focuses on felt senses, relational development, and adapting to client needs in a session. Equine-facilitated activities emphasize working in partnership with the participant in order to raise awareness of the way experiences of the world around the participant are processed. Difficulties may have arisen due to fixed patterns of behavior and participants may have become ‘stuck’. By being mindful of these issues, it enables participants to exercise real choice, heal wounds and gain access to participant's full potential and releasing their true self. As a trained equine-facilitated activities practitioner, participants are provided with the highest level of professional skills corresponding with training and experience. 

The first few sessions will involve an evaluation of participant's needs. If at any point during the session, it is assessed that equine-facilitated activities are not effective in helping the participant reach their goals, alternative options will be discussed to find the most appropriate course of action for the participant. 

Equine-facilitated activities are voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. It is understood that the equine-facilitated activities provided by Kristin Lacy are NOT psychotherapy or counseling. It is also understood that Kristin Lacy holds certification in equine-facilitated learning (EFL), but is NOT a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or psychotherapist in Michigan.

Confidentiality 

Kristin Lacy and her equine-facilitated activities adhere to very strict confidentiality standards and maintains confidentiality about participation in equine-facilitated activities, the information disclosed in equine-facilitated activities, and participant equine-facilitated activities records with the following exceptions. In an effort to provide the participant with the best service, information may be shared with other clinicians for consultation or for supervision purposes. All requests for information about equine-facilitated activity sessions to be shared with another provider, agency, or primary therapist/counselor/psychotherapist, must be made in writing. 

Kristin Lacy has a legal obligation to disclose confidential client information, even without consent, in the following situations: 

Kristin Lacy may use or disclose information about the participant without consent or authorization in the following circumstances, either by policy or because legally required: 

Emergency: If the participant is involved in a life-threatening emergency and permission cannot be obtained, information will be shared if it believed the participant would have wanted it to be done or if it is believed it would be helpful to the participant. 

Child Abuse Reporting: If there is reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected, it is required by Virginia law to report the matter immediately to the Michigan Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services. 

Adult Abuse Reporting: If there is reason to suspect that an elderly or incapacitated adult is abused, neglected, or exploited, it is required by Michigan law to immediately make a report and provide relevant information to the Michigan Department of Welfare or Social Services. Serious Threat to Health or Safety: If the participant discloses a specific and immediate threat to cause serious bodily injury or death, to an identified or to an identifiable person, and there is belief that the participant has the intent and ability to carry out that threat immediately or imminently, it is legally required to take steps to protect third parties. These may include (1) warning the potential victim(s) or the parent or guardian of the potential victim(s) if under 18; (2) notify a law enforcement officer; or (3) seeking participant's hospitalization. 

Records of Minors: Michigan has a number of laws that limit the confidentiality of the records of minors. Kristin Lacy abides by all the laws pertaining to records of minors. 

Litigation Limitation 

Due to the nature of equine-facilitated activities and the fact that it often involves making a full disclosure with regards to many matters which may be of a confidential nature, it is agreed that should there be legal proceedings (such as, but not limited to: divorce and custody disputes, injuries, lawsuits, etc.) neither the participant, nor their attorney, nor anyone else acting on the participant's behalf will call upon Kristin Lacy to testify in court (subpoena) or at any other proceeding, nor will a disclosure of any of the equine therapy records be requested. This includes session summaries and similar documentations. It is expected not to use information given during the session for the participant's own legal purposes or against any of the other parties in a court or judicial setting of any kind. However, if it is agreed upon during the initial session that legal proceedings will take place, participant is expected to pay for the proceedings including, but not limited to, court appearances, lawyer consultation, and reviewing and writing reports. 

Financial Agreements 

Participants are expected to pay by PayPal prior to or at the start of service. The cost for an individual equine-facilitated activity session is $80; family equine-facilitated activity session is $150; and participation in group sessions is $55. Session blocks of either 6 sessions at $450 or 12 sessions at $840 can be purchased. Documents needed for court proceedings are charged at a rate of $500 per hour; if there is a mandated court proceeding presence for any reason, participant will be billed at the rate of $1,000 per hour including travel and wait time (please see Litigation Limitation above). There is no participation in any healthcare insurance for this service. A receipt can be provided upon request for the session, for participant's records and for use to submit for reimbursement from participant's insurance provider. Please be aware that equine-facilitated activities are NOT psychotherapy or counseling and Kristin Lacy is NOT a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or psychotherapist in Michigan, therefore there is a chance it will not be reimbursed. If participant refuses to pay their debt, the right is reserved to use an attorney, or collection agency to secure payment. 

Session Agreements and Cancellation Policy 

Equine-facilitated activity sessions are scheduled for a specific amount of time. Individual sessions are 60 minutes; family sessions are two (2) hours; and groups are 90 minutes. Participant is expected to show up on time for sessions. If participant is late, participant may not be able to have a full session, but will be charged as such. Cancellation is required at least 5 hours before the scheduled session time. In the event that a session is not cancelled within 5 hours of the scheduled session time, a cancellation fee of $55 will be charged or if a participant has purchased a session package, the session will be deducted from the session package. If participant has paid prior to the session (individual sessions), the amount paid will be refunded, minus the cancellation fee. If participant fails to show up for their session without prior notice or they cancel within 1 hour of the session, participant will be charged the FULL amount of the session and no refunds will be given. If the participant has purchased a session block, the session will be deducted from the session package. Kristin Lacy, reserves the right to terminate sessions with the participant if there is a breach in safety or if there are violations of policies set forth in this form. 

Facility 

Equine-facilitated activity sessions are held at Magnolia Stables. All participants are required to complete a separate liability waiver for Magnolia Stables where the sessions are held. Participants agree to adhere to all safety and general rules of Magnolia Stables, which will be provided before the initial session. These forms are mandatory before equine-facilitated activities can be provided. Additionally, participants agree not to cause intentional harm to the horses, damage to property, or harm any additional persons present at Magnolia Stables. It is understood that working with horses comes with inherent safety risks. Participant understands these risks and they release Magnolia Stables and Kristin Lacy, from any financial, legal, physical, or psychological impact that results from participation in equine therapy or working with horses. 

Liability Release and Consent for Equine-Facilitated Activities 

I, the undersigned, take full responsibility for my choices and behaviors during and as a result of equine-facilitated activities. I release Kristin Lacy, and Magnolia Stables from any financial, legal, physical, or psychological impacts that result from my participation in equine-facilitated activities, during and after sessions are completed, after sessions are terminated, and any future claims. I also understand that I am voluntarily participating in activities where social distancing may be not be feasible. I release Kristin Lacy and Magnolia Stables from any COVID-19 related impacts that result from my participation in equine-facilitated activities. 

I have read and understood the information provided in this form and voluntarily agree to participate in equine-facilitated activities and services and follow the participation, confidentiality, and policies stated above.