Emma Mackintosh, MSW

I was born and raised in Northern Ireland, a divided society where I observed oppression and developed a strong sense of social justice values. My family and I were heavily involved in developing and working in a international peace and reconciliation centre in Northern Ireland, The Corrymeela Community.  From here my social justice values grew and I went onto study a Social Work Honours Degree at the University of dinburgh and obtained further post-qualifying certificates in Child Protection and Social Work, Narrative Therapy and Community work. I have worked within statutory and not for profit Social Work roles in the United Kingdom, Australia and now the United States of America. I believe that people are their own experts in their own problems. I also believe in the power of people connecting and sharing their stories as people are able to see how their stories overlap in meaningful ways to inform, confirm, contradict and challenge them.  Within my experience of growing up in a divided society it has encouraged me to think critically about the social, cultural and political context that people are living in and how this is interpreted differently for each person.  When I first met Dr Swim she told me that horses are relational and live in herds and how everyone that comes to the ranch is part of the herd.  I gained a real sense of belonging; and interconnection of each therapist, person and horse. I have seen how people connect to the horses and then connect to themselves and theirs, and are hopeful about new possibilities. For example, I saw a woman who had been in violent relationships and had lost hope and how after a while she was able to walk Jack the biggest horse into his stable and feel powerful and confident; I have seen a parent and child’s relationship soften with the love that was shown between Theresa and Oliver (Mother and son horse relationship).  The collaborative approach between people and their networks and the normalcy of the horses make this a joyful place to begin the journey of healing.