Meet Lindsay Drouillard

 

We recently connected with Lindsay Drouillard and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsay , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

As a child I grew up on a horse farm. A life of privilege and considerable fighting among my family. As I learned how to ride, train and compete failure was a daily opportunity for learning. Thankfully, I was never severely injured with riding young horses. We learned mostly by trial and error. The barn was a place of respite, building resilience while spending quality time with my horses.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Therapy Ranch was founded in 2019 in response to the increasing depression and anxiety in the youth of Metro-Detroit. As a pediatric NP in school-based health in Detroit, MI I knew there were more ways we could support youth and their mental health. Therapy Ranch is a melding of the healing power of horses with my passion for public health and mental health services.

The problem isn’t that there aren’t enough mental health providers or that we as parents aren’t doing enough to support our children. The problem is disconnection. We are disconnected from ourselves and others. So many of us feel social isolation and loneliness even among family and peers.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy works to support each person in their healing to reconnect to themselves through relationship with horses. These relationships skills transfer into their daily lives. Clients also work on other struggles that may include healthy boundaries, emotional regulation, and communication. While externalizing their story out onto the horses, people have the ability to see what change may look like in their lives. This change that they create with the horses can also be utilized into their daily lives.

We are growing and looking for new board member to support the work we are doing.
We are hosting a workshop on May 2nd 2025 “Holding Space” this one day workshop with restore participants all while learning. The day is approved for 6 CE credits for Social Workers and Nurses.

June 7th we are hosting a fundraising event – Therapy Ranch Hike & Ride. a 1 & 3 mile fun event to promote awareness and support our scholarship funds.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

A strong work ethic was instilled in me growing up on a farm, where I learned to care for animals and put in the work every day. Caring for others and animals shaped my sense of responsibility. In business, don’t hesitate to take on tasks and learn every role, both inside and outside your company. Ask for help when needed—there’s always more to learn, and along the way, you might uncover new strengths you didn’t know you had.

I’ve always believed in my ability to succeed, even when others doubted me. From a young age, I was often told, “You can’t do that.” But those words seemed to be part of my journey, pushing me to prove them wrong. We all have the strength to tackle tough challenges. With passion and determination, we can create something new and innovative, where others might see obstacles.

It’s important to make time for rest. Building something from scratch takes hard work, drive, and innovation. However, the best creative and innovative ideas often come when you allow yourself time to rest. Taking days off and going on vacation helps prevent burnout, ensuring you can stay energized and focused in the long run.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Our ideal client is a youth or adult who has experienced trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. They may feel frustrated with their current care, believing that they are not making progress. We specialize in helping individuals who struggle with traditional in-office therapy and prefer a more natural, outdoor setting. Many of our clients find healing and peace in the presence of nature, and our sessions with horses are especially transformative. Youth, in particular, enjoy spending time with the horses, finding joy and connection in the process, while also building trust, confidence, and emotional resilience. Our approach offers a unique, compassionate, and effective alternative to conventional therapy, supporting each client’s journey toward healing and growth at their own pace.

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