Uinta Academy Integrates EquiLateral™ EA-EMDR with Safe & Sound Protocol to Deepen Trauma-Informed Care

Uinta Academy, a top residential treatment and educational center serving adolescent girls and young adult women, reinforces its trauma-informed therapeutic model by layering the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) with the EquiLateral™ Equine-Assisted EMDR (EA-EMDR) protocol. This combined approach supports nervous system regulation, relational readiness, and deep trauma processing. Bringing Two Evidence-Informed Modalities Together The Safe & Sound Protocol, developed by Stephen Porges and grounded in Polyvagal Theory, uses filtered music listening sessions to stimulate the vagus nerve, reduce states of fight, flight, or freeze, and support social engagement and regulation. Meanwhile, EquiLateral™ EA-EMDR, developed by Sarah Jenkins, integrates equine-assisted activities with the eight-phase EMDR model, enabling clients to access and process traumatic memories in a somatic, relational, and experiential context. “At Uinta, we believe that true healing happens in the body, the nervous system, and in authentic relational experience,” said Bridget Rhoten, LCSW, Clinical Director of Uinta Academy. “By offering SSP to calm and engage the nervous system alongside EA-EMDR in the presence of a trusted equine partner, our students are more prepared — physically, emotionally, and relationally — to engage in the deeper work of trauma processing.” How the Integration Works at Uinta

1. Baseline nervous-system regulation (SSP): Students who are referred to use the Safe & Sound Protocol shift their physiology from hyper-arousal or shutdown into a state more conducive to connection and readiness for therapy. This creates the foundation of safety upon which deeper processing can build.
2. Somatic & relational processing (EA-EMDR): Using the EquiLateral™ protocol, students work through EMDR’s eight phases while interacting with their horse: ground-work, movement, relational attunement. The horse becomes a co-regulator and sensory partner, helping the student stay present while processing traumatic material.
3. Reintegration and carry-over: With the nervous system stabilized via SSP and trauma processing underway via EA-EMDR, students are better able to transfer gains into relationships (peer, family), academics, and life skills, supported by Uinta’s relationship-based milieu and equine continuum.

Why This Matters for Uinta’s Clients Uinta serves adolescents and young adults (ages 12-25) assigned female at birth who frequently present with complex trauma, attachment disruptions, anxiety, neurodivergence, and relational difficulties. Clinical integration of SSP and EA-EMDR is uniquely suited to this population because it:

• Offers bottom-up regulation (SSP) before top-down trauma work
• Uses experiential, body-based therapy that aligns with students who learn through movement and relationship
• Integrates trusted equine partnerships to deepen safety, attunement, and co‐regulation
• Enhances the likelihood of durable change by aligning nervous system readiness with processing capacity

“Our students often come in highly dysregulated or disconnected. The SSP gives us the physiological ‘green-light’ to engage more meaningfully,” said Bridget Rhoten, LCSW, Clinical Director. “Then EA-EMDR allows them to truly feel, process, and integrate the healing through the horse-human relationship. That’s the magic of the combination.” About Uinta Academy: Uinta Academy is a CARF-accredited residential treatment center in Wellsville, Utah, serving adolescents and young adults ages 12–25 assigned female at birth. Uinta specializes in trauma, attachment struggles, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, offering trauma-informed therapy (EMDR, Brainspotting), one of the nation’s most comprehensive equine therapy programs, family integration, and a Cognia-accredited academic program. Uinta Academy is also recognized as a nonpublic school in California, Illinois, Washington, and Utah. Since 2003, Uinta has provided a relational environment where students heal, reconnect, and achieve lasting growth. For more information, visit www.uintaacademy.com or contact our admissions team at 801-920-6770.