Creating a labyrinth to aid healing
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| Cottonwood Tucson’s labyrinth |
Four years ago, our staff decided to install a 40′ Classical-style labyrinth for patients use at Cottonwood. From its inception, the labyrinth was a community project. Our landscaping crew cleared the area. Our clinical staff chose the design and sliced it into the dirt. Our patients lined the labyrinth design with rocks and christened its completion with a silent walk. Since the, the labyrinth has become woven into the fabric of our milieu. Trauma therapists have conducted 1:1 sessions inside the labyrinth, helping patients develop symbols and metaphors to aid in their healing. Primary therapists facilitate group walks into the labyrinth, exploring the metaphor of a shared journey. Patients often utilize the labyrinth ceremoniously, to commemorate important events. Most recently, a group of patients walked the labyrinth on September 11, to reflect on how the events of that day shaped their lives.
Now an equine-labyrinth graces Cottonwood
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| Cottonwood staff leading horses through the equine-labyrinth |
This year, our staff chose a more ambitious project of installing a labyrinth large enough to accommodate horses. The equine-labyrinth is a Roma-quadrant design that measures 200′ by 100′. The pathways are seven feet wide, large enough for two horses and two handlers to pass. This labyrinth was constructed around the concept of sustainability. Our goal was to cooperate with the land, minimize our destruction of growing plants and maximize the natural beauty of living things. After our clinical staff sliced the design into place, patients were invited to gather rocks from the surrounding area and place them into the pathways. The equine-labyrinth was christened by six staff members during a staff training who led our entire herd of horses into the labyrinth design and out again.
Our “equilabyrinth”
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| Yes, even a donkey loves our “equilabyrinth” |
Like our first labyrinth, the “equilabyrinth” has become an integral part of our clinical program, providing our patients with a unique opportunity to walk a spiritual path in the company of a 1,000 pound, sentient partner. Horse handling skills are taught throughout the patients’ stay and a certain degree of competency is required for this activity. Leading a horse, or donkey, through the labyrinth requires negotiation, trust, cooperation and confidence. For many patients it is a perfect way to celebrate the completion of treatment and honor the friendship they developed with their chosen horse.
Meet Laura Brinckerhoff and Charles Gillispie
Both Laura Brinkerhoff and Charles Gillispie work with Cottonwood Tucson’s patients everyday throughout the year. They authored this post to share with prospective patients and family members the healing power of our labyrinth and our “equilabyrinth.”
Laura Brinckerhoff, MA, LPC, CEIP-MH
Equine-Assisted Mental Health Professional
Member of the Clinical Team since 2003
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| Laura Brinckerhoff |
Laura is a native of Tucson and, for the past five years, has
run Cottonwood’s Equine-Assisted Mental Health Program where she
combines a lifelong connection with horses, and a keen appreciation
their therapeutic potential. She received a B.A. from the University
of Arizona followed by an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Prescott
College, where she is now a faculty member. Laura is a Licensed
Professional Counselor, a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse
Counselor and a recognized expert in the field of equine-assisted counseling.
Charles Gillispie, MFA, LISAC
Program Specialist
Member of the Clinical Team since 1993
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| Charles Gillispie |
Charles Gillispie is a licensed independent substance abuse
counselor with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts. He is an active member
of the National Association of Poetry Therapy and has published articles
describing his work at Cottonwood in Addiction Professional, Arizona Together, Journal of Poetry Therapy, and Therapeutic Recreation Journal.
He has received two professional development grants from the Arizona
Commission on the Arts in support of his work with therapy and writing.
Charles is a founding member of the San Pedro River Pilgrims, a
backpacking club dedicated to the pursuit of spirituality through
wilderness adventure.
Contact Cottonwood Tucson
If you have questions about Cottonwood Tucson, our behavioral health center and holistic drug rehab treatment facility, please visit our website or call us at (888) 727-0441.
