In Episode #143 of the Recovery Lab Podcast, Brynn Knox, David Sugg, and Daniel Anderson welcome Stephanie Hathorne, a therapist with The Shepherd’s Staff and founder of Broken Branch Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Mount Olive, Mississippi. Stephanie shares her personal journey through anxiety, panic, depression, therapy, faith, and healing, and how those experiences eventually led her into the counseling field. She also opens up about the impact of Ruth Glaze, the sacred work being done at The Shepherd’s Staff, and the importance of therapists doing their own healing work. The conversation then moves into the world of equine assisted psychotherapy, where horses become powerful mirrors for honesty, boundaries, trust, regulation, and emotional awareness. Stephanie explains why horses are uniquely able to sense misalignment, respond to anxiety, reveal hidden patterns, and help clients work through trauma, addiction recovery, neurodiversity, family dynamics, and emotional blocks in a way traditional talk therapy sometimes cannot reach. This episode explores therapy, recovery, nature, faith, vulnerability, and the healing power of being fully present. Topics include: Equine assisted psychotherapy • Addiction recovery and emotional healing • Anxiety, panic, and depression • The role of horses in trauma work • Boundaries, trust, and self-awareness • Neurodiversity, ADHD, autism, and family support • The importance of nature, grounding, and regulation • Why healing sometimes happens without words Sometimes the truth we need most is revealed in silence.
