JACQUELINE Lauko shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
JACQUELINE, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I chose this question because we often ask this question to our clients. As a therapist, it is imperative to find something you love where you lose track of time. I lose track of time when I am with my horses. I notice my breath deepens, and I am able to think even more clearly. Being around my Herd on the ground helps me to notice how they embody balance within the Herd. As humans we can learn so much from these sentient beings. I have loved horses ever since my dad introduced me when I was 2. My mom was terrified of horses, but she still managed to help me find horses wherever we lived. We were unable to afford horses growing up so I did whatever I could at local barn just so I could afford to half lease a horse. I started half leasing horses around age 10. I was able to purchase my own horse at age 21 and I named him Perfect Icarus because he was the most perfect horse, I had laid eyes on. I dedicated the model of Equine assisted psychotherapy I created called the Icarus model® to him!! I will be forever grateful for everything he taught me in life which included slowing down and letting him take the lead. Working with a traumatized Horse helped me to learn how to work with trauma survivors as a licensed counselor which I am today. I still find myself today in the pasture with my current Herd remembering the great presence Icarus had on myself and my clients.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Jacqueline is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor who uses her own individual model of equine assisted psychotherapy called The Icarus Model®.
Jacqui has earned certifications in personal training (2020), clinical hypnosis (2018), yoga (2024), Reiki (2020), somatic experiencing (2024), Equid Nexus IFS equine engaged parts work (2023 & 2024), Equine body work through Elemental Acupressure (2019), and EAGALA (2011). She has attended training with the legendary Linda Kohanov (2009 & 2023). she earned a certificate in equine behavior from The University of Denver in 2024. Most recently she has been training in the somatic equine program with Cara Gereau. Jacqui provides consultation on best practices for treatment centers and private agencies focusing on putting the horses equal to humans.
Jacqui developed a passion for working with children at a young age. She worked with Autistic children in the North Carolina school system where she helped to design a program for them so they could be integrated with general ed classes. Her dream was to incorporate children with animals as a way to heal from mental illness and life stressors. She is a passionate individual who will go above and beyond for her clients.
Jacqui has been counseling children and young adults in Arizona since 2011, and has been working with horses since 1999. What began as a passion for riding soon evolved into a career through offering riding lessons & training. Since 2004, Jacqui has been a member of several animal rescues and has been studying animal behavior since she was in high school.
With a desire to help other professionals she created a virtual international consultation group for equine assisted psychotherapy/learning professionals which was launched in Jan 2025.
Early on in her career, she was the head social worker at the largest freestanding inpatient psychiatric facility. She is an empath which helps her to understand her clients on a deeper level which helps them progress in a way that fits them best. She has a passion for treating people who have physical limitations due to medical conditions as she herself has EDS (Ehler Danlos Syndrome) which has impacted her ability to train and ride horses as often as she would like. She has overcome much of her limited mobility by utilizing positive psychology, IFS, daily yoga and homeopathic remedies. She is a fighter and refused to let this diagnosis ruin her passion to be active both riding horses, swimming and hiking. This has pushed her to be an even stronger therapist and advocate for her clients who have been given undesirable “labels”.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
So, I have never been a fan of the word powerful. I have always loved being an ambivalent leader, so I do not have to use power or control. I like to partner with people and animals to see where they are coming from and join with them instead of having power over them. This is something society needs to learn how to do. We rely so much on power when balance is the healthier choice. I believe one can be successful if they learn from others while partnering with them instead of overcoming them. When I used to work in large offices, it was always hard for me because I was a high performer. Other employees would try to get me in trouble so they could prove they were better than me. This turned me away from working for big agencies because even though I was a benevolent leader, people still tried to “throw me under the bus.” It was disheartening so I started my own practice and vowed to make sure my employees felt valued. I actually don’t even call them employees I make it a point to call them team members at all times. It is also important for me to not be called their “boss”, but a clinical supervisor who oversees the clinical oversight. I believe words can be very powerful and as a trauma informed Therapist, I have used this in every part of my life.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I have always had what you call “grit.” Schooling was hard for me, but I always had intense dedication. Whatever I set my mind to I would always achieve it and go above and beyond. My mom always told me I will always reach my goals and beyond because even as a little kid, I would always find other ways to go about something. My goal was always to become. An animal assisted therapist, but I couldn’t even fathom that I would be able to write. My own book called the Icarus model manual and create my own model of Equine assisted psychotherapy. Since writing and schooling were hard for me, obtaining a 60 credit masters degree was unthinkable when I was in high school school. I took it day by day and I was able to achieve almost all A’s in my grad school program. Once I realized I could achieve this I pushed my private Practice agency to go above and beyond what I had initially dreamed. Today we are leading therapeutic retreats, social groups, individual sessions, and family sessions. I am teaching internationally, which is something I thought I would never reach! I am beyond happy with my success, but I had to work so hard to get here and it was all 100% worth it.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
As a parts work, Therapist, we always talk about the different aspects of ourselves. It is imperative to understand all of these different parts so you can become more self led. I am always working to better myself as I think most people are in this generation. I have learned so much about myself and over the past three years I have shown more and more of my true self to the world. I have always been a very unique individual with very different ideas of the world. I see so much and people when I first meet them, and I can almost feel some of their feelings, which has always been a little bit uncomfortable for me. This is a gift when you’re a therapist, but it is not such a gift when you are interacting with the general public. I have learned how to balance this gift while teaching other others to balance it as well. I have also come out publicly with my disorder, which is called Ehler-Danlos syndrome which includes chronic debilitating pain within your joints along with various other difficulties. Coming out to the public and explaining some of my limitations was hard, but the reason I did it was to help other people with the syndrome. I feel more free now that I am my true self publicly and privately. Obviously there will always be parts of yourself that you are able to keep secret and that is healthy!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I have always been called to the ocean or large bodies of water. I always make sure I take at least four trips to the ocean each year so I am able to connect with what I love. I spend my time, snorkeling, free swimming, and scuba diving every chance I get. I love the water and I am constantly in a Lake, pool, hot tub, ocean or any other water I can get my hands on!! I have also added this passion into my job. We began running water retreats in 2020 and they have filled up every summer since we launched them. I like connecting others with the water because it has such a healing ability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skyetherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icarusmodel1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyetherapy1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ9HmKxPNFYB0Q4SOLUSl5w
Image Credits
Ginger Turner with Milestone Memories
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