When is the right time to start grief counseling with Hineni?

It’s best if you are at least a month if not two months out from the death, and not still in shock and immediate trauma. It’s much harder to process things during the first few weeks of being in grief, which is generally a time to simply absorb the immediate shock and impact of the loss. Once you are able to start to move a bit into the world again, you are more optimally ready for this level of grief support. There are professionals who focus on trauma and shock during the first days and weeks after a death, and referrals can be made upon request.

Who does this work best for?

People who are open to honest and vulnerable exploration of their grief, while committed to growth, and even healing when possible or desired. Clients hopefully understand that working with grief is a process– that there is often no quick fix, but that shift and changes in grief take place over time.

Do I need to be Jewish/Observant/Religious/Spiritual to work with you?

No. I hope you are comfortable, however, with me occasionally drawing from wisdom and insights around grief from the Jewish tradition. I have no interest in conversion or making anyone “more religious.” Further, clients may not describe themselves even as spiritual or recognize what their spirituality is. Again, spirituality and religion can be two entirely separate entities. Spirituality may be connected to something which gives you a sense of transcendence, like nature, music, relationships, and so much more– it perhaps inspires awe and connects you to a sense of something greater than yourself. Sometimes I can help identify or remind you of that spirituality as a potentially important support in the process.

How do I choose between counseling by phone, on Zoom, in nature, or with horses?

Which modality we use depends on your personal preference. Any one, or all options, are available, and we can discuss which is right for you. After 29 years of graduate education, training and doing grief work, I firmly believe that while sitting in an indoor location can be of benefit when counseling, the presence of nature and horses can bring grief support to a higher transformative and even more effective level. The way horses respond and engage with us, each other, their environment, and other circumstances can be highly instructive about life, death, and relationships. Importantly, both nature and equine therapy ground, guide, and connect us to depths of care and self-care during grief which are sometimes not as readily available when doing counseling in an office. These opportunities are available and accessible through our Hi(neigh)ni Program to people with a variety of abilities and disabilities.

If I choose to do Equine Therapy, do I need to know how to ride a horse, or have any experience with horses?

No. Our Equine Therapy is through groundwork and does not entail riding. You will be able to touch, groom, walk with, and interact in a supervised environment with the horse in a variety of ways, but no prior experience is needed. After moving from our current temporary stable to our upcoming beautiful new location, there will be parking which is both conveniently located near the barn with plenty of space for vehicle exit and entry. Flat, level, and well maintained grounds and shorter travel distances are part of the new design features, making it accessible for those using wheelchairs, walking assistance, and other physical aids. *Please dress comfortably and wear clothing that you don’t mind getting  slightly dirty, as well as closed shoes.*