ON THE BACK OF
A HORSE
Claire Dorotik M.A.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

            Having spent a lifetime around horses – growing up riding and training horses and later riding at many of the country’s top show barns – Claire, in many ways, understood horses before she understood people. But what didn’t occur to her until she suffered her own trauma, was that they actually understood her before she understood herself – even as a licensed psychotherapist.
            Because of the role horses have played in her life, Claire has made a specialization of equine facilitated psychotherapy, developing an equine assisted psychotherapeutic approach that has proved highly effective in restoring emotional and physical balance to those who have battled trauma, abuse, and eating disorders. This approach has been utilized by many recovery centers including Creative Care Recovery in Malibu, CA, The Canyon Recovery Center in Malibu, CA, and other facilities that have come to recognize the unique way in which horses can facilitate powerful healing experiences for clients. She has written many articles for Horsetrader, Ride, and Flying Changes magazines on the subject of horses and horse training.
            Her accomplishments showing horses include a National Championship, two Reserve Championships, and numerous Top Ten Awards in breed shows, as well as top placings and championships in many hunter jumper shows including the Indio California Circuit, the Arizona Desert Circuit, the Oaks in San Juan Capistrano, California, Showpark in Del Mar, California, and Scottsdale Horse Park, in Scottsdale Arizona.
            Claire is also an avid marathon runner and personal trainer. She has a B.S. in Kinesiology and has been a contributing writer on exercise and mood for Trail Runner and Her Sports magazines. She also teaches continuing education courses for International Sport Science Association, and is the creator of “The Client Centered Approach to Personal Training.” For the past four years, her secondary specialty has been the use of wellness programs for the recovery population. She has created programs for Miracle House Recovery Center, Tender Life Maternity Home, and Prototypes Women’s Center. In her marriage and family therapy work she has helped trauma, abuse, and eating disorder clients return to balanced and healthy functioning.
            Following are testimonials by individuals in Claire’s field.
            “Claire’s innate sensitivity is perfectly attuned in her approach to equine facilitated psychotherapy”- Dr. Giovanni Aponte, Psychologist, Creative Care Dual Diagnosis Recovery Center.
            “Claire’s equine therapy skills and observations are nothing short of miraculous”- Dr. Hilary Behrens, Therapist, Creative Care Dual Diagnosis Recovery Center.
            “Claire has a special gift that allows her to contribute in a unique way to the client’s movement towards health”- Ross McNutt MFT, Therapist, Creative Care Dual Diagnosis Recovery Center.
            “What I saw the day of the inspection was really unique! Claire Dorotik presented a young stallion – showed him in hand, in liberty, and free jumping. It was very impressive to see how Claire had trained the stallion. Very easy, quiet and effective communication between her and the young stallion”- Otto Schalter, Inspection Judge, Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International Registry.