Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Hammerman.
Hi Brianna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am a licensed professional counselor, amateur equestrian, and shameless horse girl. Currently, I am the proud founder of BE HERD, LLC- a comprehensive psychotherapy practice dedicated to supporting committed equestrians to achieve their goals in and out of the saddle.
I am on a mission to decrease the stigma of mental health and provide a safe space in a community I am deeply connected to and passionate about. Thank you for reading the story of BE HERD – what it is, how it came to be, and who it aims to serve.
As a member of the equestrian community since the age of 6, I understand how significant the equestrian identity is and the impact it has on other areas of life. When underlying feelings, patterns, and dynamics are addressed, it allows people to embody meaningful and sustainable changes in a variety of areas. It is important to recognize and address the anxieties and struggles that come with being part of an industry that prioritizes exclusivity and success above all else.
I received my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver. My career began in 2010 treating eating disorders, and severe trauma and providing family therapy. My clinical education continued as I became a certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist Mental Health provider and Equine Specialist. Through personal and professional experiences, BE HERD services combine insight, training, and experience to provide mental health & wellness support to a unique community.
Horses have been my compass throughout my life and they continue to be an integral presence in my personal and professional life. Whether it is working with equestrians through individual counseling, performance coaching, or facilitating interactive counseling sessions that incorporate horses, horses are at the heart of BE HERD.
To read more details about my story: https://voyagedenver.com/interview/meet-brianna-hammerman-brianna-hammerman-counseling-capitol-hill-boulder/
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In retrospect, my career choice seems like a no-brainer. I’m an equestrian and a therapist, so the obvious choice would be to become an equestrian therapist. However, that was not my intention at the onset of my career. At the time I hadn’t heard the term equestrian therapy or equestrian trauma. Equine-assisted psychotherapy programs were not offered as part of a graduate school curriculum and students were strongly discouraged from jumping into private practice after obtaining their graduate degrees.
While my path to this niche population wasn’t direct, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Even though I kept trying to talk myself out of it, eventually I could no longer ignore the whispers constantly nudging me to take the leap (once again) and forge ahead. Now, I am exactly where I was meant to be and working with the people that I was meant to support. I love this work!
Some of the significant challenges when working within the equestrian community are navigating the traditional and outdated narratives about emotions, and beliefs around getting and receiving help and allocation of significant resources (time, money, energy) to provide for horses.
Outside of the community, questions arise such as what exactly is equestrian therapy? What is the difference between individual counseling mindset coaching and equine-assisted psychotherapy? As a concept it is not widely known or understood; likewise understanding the unique nuances of the equestrian community is not well recognized.
Here is how I differentiate them:
Equestrian Therapy- someone who identifies as an equestrian seeking counseling for topics that may but are not limited to horses. (also included partners, and family members of someone who identifies as an equestrian.)
Performance Coaching – solution-oriented and tends to be motivated by resolving an actionable item that is impacting their ability to perform as desired.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy- an interactive therapeutic approach that includes horses in the therapy session along with intentional facilitation by a licensed mental health provider and credentialed equine professional.
I am a big believer in working as a team and am thrilled when I can collaborate with family members, coaches, and other providers. By increasing awareness, we create a paradigm shift away from unhelpful patterns and create healthier relationships.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Recommended Podcasts: Hidden Brain – I’m typically driving when listening to podcasts and I often have the urge to take notes about all the smart, interesting, and helpful information during these episodes.
Sober Sex – do not be fooled by the title, it is a fabulous medium to explore conversations about relationships, intimacy, attunement, and sex. These conversations are brilliant and necessary to reduce shame, and stigma and address societal “scripts”.
Attachment Theory in Action – When the relational part of me wants to geek out.
Unbridled Therapists- I knew I wasn’t the only person out there wanting to improve the mental health and wellness of the equestrian community- which is how I found the co-host to my podcast. We initially connected through social media and after a few virtual conversations, it became clear that our passions and perspectives were aligned. We decided to embark on the journey of creating a podcast- Unbridled Therapists (https://open.spotify.com/show/2wUiZgnn9BNfd07gwPG5ce?si=fffd449fbbb94e12).
Glennon Doyle’s – Untamed (I enjoyed the audiobook).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.be-herd.com
- Instagram: @beherdcounseling
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wUiZgnn9BNfd07gwPG5ce?si=77cfff4de647470f
