The benefits that animal companionship provides for your emotional and mental wellbeing are enormous. Animal-assisted therapies are a type of psychotherapy that incorporates animals into peoples mental health treatment plans. People worldwide rely on animals like dogs, cats, and even horses to help them cope with acute and chronic mental health challenges.

Wherever you are located in Virginia from Alexandria to Virginia Beach or even Lynchburg, or anywhere else nearby, Mental Health Match can help you easily find an experienced therapist or counselor who best meets your needs.

How Can Animal-Assisted Therapy Help?

Animal-assisted therapy can help you in various ways, but here are some of the most common benefits:

• Companionship to reduce feelings of loneliness.
• Feeling less stressed, agitated, or anxious.
• Self-awareness as you see animals reflect your emotional state.
• Learning to set new boundaries.
• Overcoming fear.
• Developing trust.

Animal-assisted therapy can also help with physical health, offering such benefits as reduced perception of pain and improved cardiovascular health.

Interested in learning more about how animals improve our lives? Read more from licensed therapist Dr. Beverly Pedroche about the 5 lessons learned from her dog.

Experience the Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy

Deciding that you want to seek animal-assisted therapy is a gigantic step, and finding a quality therapist who specializes in animal-assisted therapy can prove to be challenging. Luckily, our team at Mental Health Match is here to help you find a qualified animal-assisted therapist in no time! Start by browsing experts below or by using our free therapist matching tool.

Virginia Animal-assisted Therapists - List Your Practice on Mental Health Match

Looking to expand your network? At Mental Health Match, we match clients to therapists and counselors specializing in animal-assisted therapies. Get set up for new referrals in 10 minutes or less. 60 day free trial, with no credit cards required to start. Join now.