Leif Hallberg

Since 1996, Leif has made it her life’s work to explore the myriad of health benefits that can be gained from engaging in respectful, relational, and mindful interactions between horses (and other animals), humans, and the natural world. Considered one of the foremost authorities in the emerging specialization of including horses in mental health and learning services, Leif has developed a reputation over the past 25+ years for her broad-reaching and objective investigation into this developing industry. It has been Leif’s goal to clarify, define, and objectively describe the complexity and diversity of the human-equine-nature relationship, and the professional and ethical applications of this relationship. Leif’s books are used by colleges and universities around the world as teaching texts, and professionals consider them essential resources for research and clinical practice. Living, working, and being in relationship with horses since the time she was very young, Leif learned early on the importance of bringing a mindful, relational, and embodied presence to each interaction. Slowing down, becoming fully present in the moment, getting curious, and connecting were not just abstract concepts — they were life-saving practices. This has become the foundation for Leif’s innovative and unique approach to healing, growth, and change. Today, Leif combines her knowledge of equines, nature, embodied awareness, and the nervous system with her years of study and practice in the areas of depth and humanistic psychology, experiential learning, rites of passage, systems theory, organizational development, and transformation coaching to create powerful, life-changing approach begins to break down the barriers between “expert” and “novice”, “teacher” and “learner”, or “therapist” and “client”, empowering everyone to stretch, learn, grow, and change – together.