ABOUT KAJA MICHELSON Connection Practice Coach & Master Trainer | Equine-Assisted Therapist | Communication Consultant Kaja Michelson is the founder of Exhale Coaching LLC, a U.S.-based company established in 2013. From 2013 to 2017, she served on the board of Rasur Foundation International, and between 2010 and 2013, she facilitated group sessions at several Connection Practice training courses held at the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica. She has also conducted numerous trainings in the USA (2015–2019). Today, Kaja leads the equine-assisted therapy programs at Häståkeriets Kursgård, Sweden’s educational center for equine assisted practices for inner health. Her work is done in close collaboration with healthcare institutions and organizations in fields such as child and adolescent psychiatry, adult cancer rehabilitation, ME/CFS, ADHD, and more. EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY AND CONNECTION PRACTICE Kaja and her team integrate equine-assisted activities as therapeutic and pedagogical resources in psychosocial and social work. They provide professional training to staff in healthcare and education, including: • Primary care physicians and nurses • Special educators and school staff • Family therapists and social workers Equine-assisted programs are delivered through structured courses, workshops, trainings, and individual sessions. These initiatives are often conducted in collaboration with both municipal and nonprofit organizations that serve children, parents, and families. Since 2021, Kaja has developed and led equine-assisted programs for youth aged 13–17 in collaboration with healthcare institutions and inpatient units from child and adolescent psychiatry. Participants often include those struggling with self-harming behaviors, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and other serious mental health conditions. Admission to the equine assisted programs is through referral only—participants primary come via a partnering organization, school, or healthcare provider. As of 2025, Swedish doctors are prescribing Equine-Assisted Physical Activity (FAR) to the center, which allows families to take part in therapy sessions at a lower cost with the advantage of follow-up and feedback with their primary care contacts. A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH Kaja brings over 25 years of experience as a communication consultant and 15 years as a stress coach, with previous bases in Costa Rica and Dallas, USA (2010–2020). She is a trained instructor in MediYoga, a practice now used in over 800 state financed healthcare centers across Scandinavia, including in: • Cardiac and cancer care • Psychiatry and primary care • Palliative and integrative health programs Her academic background includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training from the Swedish Institute for Cognitive Psychotherapy and family and parenting guidance through Jesper Juul’s Family-Lab. Through this interdisciplinary foundation, Kaja has created a unique therapeutic model that blends equine-assisted interventions with established psychological and somatic practices. EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY & THE CONNECTION PRACTICE Our model of equine-assisted therapy is internationally informed and trauma-sensitive. It offers an accessible and stigma-reducing alternative to traditional mental health interventions—leveraging the powerful presence of horses to foster emotional safety and deep connection. Therapeutic elements integrated into our programs include: • The Connection Practice (TCP) • Acceptance & Commitment Training/Therapy (ACT) • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) • MediYoga/Trauma-Adapted Yoga (MY/TAY) Research—both national and international—confirms that relationships and activities with horses can significantly enhance: • Identity formation • Self-esteem and confidence • Emotional regulation and calm • Anxiety relief Our equine-assisted offerings also include Equine Assisted Connection Practice exercises inspired by the family and learning book “Alma & Atman” (Kaja Michelson, 2017) with horses and trained therapists present. Whether working with professionals, parents, or vulnerable youth, we create experiences that support mental and emotional resilience through safe, guided interaction with horses. RESEARCH STUDY: OUR EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY PROGRAM In collaboration with Södertörn University and under the leadership of Dr. Annemi Skerfving, PhD in Social Science, our equine-assisted therapy work has gained increasing attention within social services and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Skerfving has dedicated many years to researching and teaching social work with children and adolescents at Stockholm University and several other institutions across Sweden. She is the author of Making Invisible Children Visibleand numerous research reports, including a doctoral dissertation on children of parents with mental illness. A comprehensive research study on our equine therapy program, led by Dr. Skerfving, completed 2026 (See attached conclusions). CONNECTION PRACTICE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH & FAMILY DYNAMICS DURING EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPHY Psychiatric professionals consistently report that equine therapy benefits not only the individual patient but also their family relationships and overall support network. Developing a language for emotions and needs is fundamental to mental health—and we believe it’s a skill every child should be taught, whether in school or healthcare settings. We help children (and adults) access this emotional vocabulary to support their journey toward healing and growth. During therapy sessions, laminated cards with emotional vocabulary are placed on a blanket over the horse’s back. These words help participants articulate their feelings and needs during interactions with the horses, facilitating emotional processing and resolution of internal conflicts. In the peaceful and non-judgmental environment around the horses, we create a safe and inspiring space for conversations and learning. When clients gain the ability to express their feelings and needs clearly, new paths to problem-solving often emerge. Our Equine assisted therapy and Connection Practice helps children, parents, and professionals strengthen their communication skills and deepen their connections—with themselves and with others. Example:
During one visit, a young girl from a psychiatric inpatient unit rested her head on the horse’s neck and read aloud from cards she was holding: “to grieve,” “acceptance,” “understanding.”
When asked whether she had previously spoken to anyone about her need to grieve, she replied, “Before today I didn’t know. I had no idea… It’s only now I know what I needed.” SUPPORT FOR PARENTS & PROFESSIONALS We’re seeing more and more parents turning to us for support in their parenting roles. When families come together around the horses, the results are often transformational. Parenting requires emotional literacy—yet many parents never had the opportunity to develop this skill themselves. Research consistently shows that talking about life’s difficulties not only builds resilience but can literally save lives. Through hands-on sessions at our education center and stables, children and parents engage in practical communication exercises, drawing on activities from the book Alma & Atman. These sessions build emotional awareness, connection, and mutual understanding. We also host ongoing professional development days themed around “The art of communication during difficulties”—a skill many adults, caregivers, and professionals are eager to improve. Participants include teams from healthcare, social work, education, and child welfare who engage in experiential learning and try out the therapeutic methods firsthand. In 2024, we trained 30 professionals from Stockholm’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry services, as well as 20 pediatric specialists and healthcare staff from Sweden’s Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital. OUR LOCATION You’ll find our educational center in a tranquil, rural oasis located within the Royal Gardens of the National Park in Stockholm. Despite its peaceful surroundings, we’re easily accessible—inner-city buses stop just five minutes from the stables and paddocks. Please contact: Kaja@hastakeriet.se +46727171270 www.hastakeriet.se/kursgard Kaja speaks Swedish, English and lives in Stockholm, Stockholm (Sweden) where it is Saturday, September 6th, 5:50 pm Kaja doesn’t have access to the digital Connection Practice Boards