Gateway Family Services incorporates mounted work in sessions to assist individuals and families with improving self-regulation skills and increasing intimacy between horse and human, as well as providing an opportunity to process trauma.  According to Natural Lifemanship, “Studies show the functionality of the brain in people who have experienced trauma (such as abuse, neglect, combat, or natural disasters) is often compromised due to disorganization of connections in the brain. This often results in individuals struggling with emotional regulation and impulse control and the ability to appropriately handle even minimal stress.” Natural Lifemanship utilizes the rhythmic, patterned, repetitive movement inherent in riding a horse to create, increase and reorganize connections in the brain, thereby increasing the brain’s ability for the management of emotions and impulse control. The horse is able to provide the rhythm required to effectively heal the impact of trauma on the brain until the client is able to independently provide that rhythm.