Forward Stride

Forward Stride is a Beaverton, Oregon nonprofit offering equine-assisted services, including mental health therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

Their licensed clinicians work alongside certified equine specialists to support clients facing trauma, co-occurring disorders, developmental and intellectual disabilities, eating disorders and substance use concerns.

Forward Stride’s mission is to help individuals of all abilities, ages, and walks of life learn, grow and heal through the steady presence of horses.

Equine-Assisted Mental Health Therapy

Forward Stride’s core specialty is experiential, ground based mental health therapy delivered with horses as active partners in the process.

Sessions are co-facilitated by a licensed mental health professional and a certified equine specialist, drawing on PATH, EAGALA and Natural Lifemanship models.

Clinicians integrate approaches such as DBT skills, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, CPT, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Trauma Informed Care and Seeking Safety.

Clients can connect through individual, family or group formats, including Stable Ground for trauma recovery and Life in the Herd for teens.

Specialized Groups and Multidisciplinary Care

Beyond one-on-one therapy, Forward Stride offers structured group programs like Working in Tandem youth mentorship and combines mental health support with speech, occupational and physical therapies in one equine centered setting.

This multidisciplinary approach helps clients with co-occurring needs build confidence, communication and resilience.

Sliding Scale with Financial Assistance

Services are provided in person by appointment at the Beaverton campus off Farmington Road, which features mini barns, pastures and multiple arenas for therapy sessions.

All programs are offered at a reduced rate, with sliding-scale financial assistance available; Forward Stride does not bill insurance directly but provides superbills for potential reimbursement.