Begin and Grow From Where You Are Now
Enhance Well-Being, Build Skills, and Explore Connection With Equines
Licensed Psychologist Authorized to Practice Telepsychology in 42+ PSYPACT Participating States from Florida’s 🚀 Space Coast
“Like the sea turtle surviving against the odds and serving as a quiet symbol of fortitude, you, too, can cultivate strength from within to gently shift from hard-shelled survival toward skillful navigation of life’s transitions” — Melissa (Dr. Mel) Jenkins-Fernández, Psy.D.
How?
Using Telepsychology to support emotional growth and skill development for adolescents 11+ and adults experiencing anxiety, stress, and grief from life's abrupt transitions.
In-person Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is provided in Melbourne, Florida.🐴 Equine Assisted-EMDR, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are ground-based (no riding) and offered in an equine facility in Cocoa, Florida.
Already in therapy and wondering how including equines could support your goals? 🫏 Adjunct Equine Assisted Psychotherapy or Adjunct Equine Assisted-EMDR may complement existing therapy. A referral from your current therapist is required to explore whether an equine assisted approach is a good fit for your needs and goals.
“It’s possible to horse around while being serious about making proactive changes” — Dr. Mel
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Ready to find your virtual belonging place?
“If you are reading this, you are now Within Range of learning something meaningful: an opportunity to build helpful coping skills and explore strategies to achieve your goals. Within Range is a small specialized practice that spans over 42+ PSYPACT States for Telepsychology, where clients expect reliable, professional guidance. Let’s talk to see if services are a good fit for you” —Dr. Mel and Wally Goldendoodle, PSYPACT Provider, EMDRIA™ Certified, & EQUUSOMA® Practitioner Level 1
PROFESSIONAL AND COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE
Together,
we can co-create a step-by-step plan to support your growth
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Reoccurring dreams? Dream themes can be explored for relevance and helpful insights that support emotional growth (e.g., teeth falling out, moving in slow motion, flying, being chased, taking a test over, etc..)
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Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a ground-based approach (no riding) that invites equines into sessions.
EAP sessions provide opportunities to practice self-awareness, communication, boundaries, grounding, emotional regulation, problem-solving, distress tolerance, and other skills that are important to the client.
Equines are attentive to aspects of human movement, posture, voice, and behavior. Their responses can provide another source of information for clients to observe and explore meaning. There is often value in observing, connecting, noticing, and being present.
Physical and emotional safety, boundaries, and clients’ and equines’ participation levels are respected.
Equine welfare is an important part of ethical practice. Equines are given opportunities to participate, disengage, or take a break. No pressure to perform or complete tasks.
Dr. Mel is certified in several EAP models and considers which framework may best align with each client's goals and needs. See FAQ for additional information.
Equines are not “used,” therapists or diagnostic tools. Their presence often contributes to an experience or insight that clients and clinicians can observe and explore together.
At the heart of the EAP modality is mutual respect for clients, equines, and the relationship that develops between them.
Please note that the language used to describe how equines are involved in psychotherapy varies by EAP model. Various terms such as “Assisted,” “Facilitated,” “Co-Facilitated,” or “Inspired” may be used.
Dr. Mel prefers “Inspired” because the word inspiration is derived from the Latin inspirare (“to breathe or blow into”), which can move us into insight (merriam-webster). Breathing into is also what horses do to other equines, they breathe on each other demonstrating a connection.
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Already in Psychotherapy?
You are curious about how Adjunct (i.e., in addition to your current therapy) Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) or Adjunct Equine Assisted-EMDR in Cocoa, Florida may complement the work you are already doing in therapy?
Adjunct EAP and Adjunct Equine Assisted EMDR will not replace your current primary mental health treatment and may not be the best fit for every client or their goals. The free 15-minute consultation call with you can determine if this approach could be a good fit. Schedule here
A referral from your current mental health provider for adjunct services is required. Therapists can complete a confidential inquiry consultation form here
Adjunct sessions are provided from the months of September to May.
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Dr. Jenkins-Fernández has always loved spending time with animals both big and small.
She values interactions with equines, especially donkeys, because some challenging interactions have deepened the value of reflection and intentional responding that gently builds upon a trustworthy, predictable, and consistent connection.
Clients are provided opportunities alongside equine to explore the possibility of making changes and discovering insights in psychotherapy that apply to their lives.
Here are some examples:
Donkeys communicate contentment, fear, uncertainty, and discomfort through subtle changes in body language, posture, facial expression, vocalizations, and behavior. Their displays of playfulness are not so subtle. Learn to slow down to notice very subtle signs of distress and attune to needs.
Donkeys are intelligent animals who carefully assess unfamiliar situations and environments. They are often mislabeled as “stubborn,” but are actually cautious and intentional to pause until the situation is safe enough to proceed. Learn to pause and assess and not assume.
Horses are sometimes only referenced as “flighty prey” animals but their responses to potential and actual threats are much more than simply “fight or flight.” Depending on the situation, a horse may stop, orient toward a stimulus, move away, seek safety, or proceed with a charge. Learn how some descriptions can limit potential and shift language for growth.
How Equines Support Opportunities For Growth
Various types of therapy are offered alongside horses (no riding). Clients often report more self-awareness and better emotional-regulation after processing concerns and challenges alongside an equine. Equine-Assisted EMDR helps process distress without discussing details, while keeping attention in the present with a calm mini-pony whose presence may offer comfort.
Equines, just like people can be mislabeled and misjudged, so understanding how to shift into a balanced perspective without harsh judgements can create a new pathway of understanding and expectations. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside equines helps explore thought distortions and weighing evidence for and against beliefs to support change.
Sometimes even learning about how equines communicate and show signs of contentment and distress in a herd helps clients explore their own displays of emotions and social connections. EQUUSOMA® therapy helps clients attune and orient towards safety in session and observe the herd and their nervous system for signals of calm and connection.
Within Range’s Motto:
Learn to: "Adapt, Endure. Like the donkey in pursuit, safeguard in uncertainty, move with intentionality” 🫏 —Dr. Mel -
EMDR promotes healing from traumatic memories, images, and sensations without re-telling the story or reliving the events. It’s a 'bottom-up' therapy that reprocesses and integrates memories. The EMDR Nightmare Protocol can help reduce nightmare intensity and frequency for more restful sleep.
Equine Assisted-EMDR and In-Office EMDR (no equines)
🐴 Equine Assisted-EMDR incorporates an equine directly into 8-phases of EMDR. All ground based with no riding or mounted activities. Provided in Cocoa, Florida.
In-Office EMDR is provided in Melbourne, Florida
Virtual EMDR (Telepsychology) is available in PSYPACT locations.
EMDR Group-Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) is offered in office, virtually, and at the barn.
Dr. Mel is EMDR-International Association (EMDRIA™) Certified and 🐴Equilateral® Trained (Equine Assisted EMDR)
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Short-term integrative (i.e., whole person) psychotherapy to process and relieve distress. Each client determines how much integration they are interested in exploring.
Consultation with the client’s primary care physician, nutritionist, or clergy may also be recommended depending upon each client’s goals and preferences.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, EAP, Experiential, and EQUUSOMA® are often the modalities utilized in an Integrative approach.
THE PROCESS
Honoring Your Pathway
1
BEGIN WITH A CONSULTATION
Contact me for with a free 15-minute phone consultation to determine if we’re a good fit to work together in order to accomplish your goal(s). Click on the owl above to fill out the confidential scheduling form or click here.
2
CREATE A STRATEGIC PLAN
Your step-by-step plan is unique to you and not a one-size-fits-all approach. Let’s work on what matters to you and make reasonable and attainable goals. Together we can co-create your pathway forward, aimed to enhance well-being,
3
APPLY CHANGES RIGHT AWAY
Change is difficult but
attainable with professional, reliable and steady support. Approach life’s transitions and challenges with improved clarity, coping skills, and greater capacity to better regulate your emotions and meet your goals.
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Dr. Mel
When you’re Within Range, you’re seen, heard, and accepted in real time. Too much mental static? Let’s reset. How? Changing unhelpful patterns is a step-by-step process and sometimes, the most reliable guide on the therapy journey isn’t the strongest or the fastest, but the one who stays calm and steady under pressure.
You can’t always kick your way into or out of situations. Instead, use your head--for thinking and problem-solving.
Dr. Mel Jenkins-Fernández, Psy.D., doesn’t mind being compared to a surefooted mini-donkey along the therapy pathway. She patiently and thoughtfully assists clients in evaluating mental roadblocks and exploring options that may result in “Aha!” clarity.
Curious how I may be an asset?
FAQS
Answering your questions
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Online Therapy Details: Telepsychology (virtual) on a secure and confidential HIPAA compliant platform
Virtual Sessions for Florida and residents of PSYPACT states, territory, and district
PSYPACT:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) allows authorized licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology across the nation.
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$250: for 90-minute (Virtual/Office) Psychological Intake
$200: for 60-minute (Virtual/Office) Psychotherapy Sessions
$200: for 60-minute Equine Inspired Psychotherapy (EIP) Sessions
$250: for 60-minute EAGALA and O.K Corral sessions
$275: for 90-minute EMDR (Virtual/Office) sessions
$275: for 90-minute EMDR-Alongside Equines sessions
InsuranceOut of Network
A superbill is provided after the session for client to submit to their insurance company for reimbursement options
Accepted payment includes
Credit or Debit cards, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex Savings Account (FSA)
“Step Up For Students” (SUFS) for recipients of Florida’s SUFS specialized services scholarships. Schedule a consultation here
If you use your Out-of-Network (OON) insurance benefit, you can request an itemized receipt from Within RANGE (i.e., receipt of payment, diagnosis, and CPT codes), to be provided for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement
Click here for some helpful questions to ask your insurance company.
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HBRD isn’t a diagnosis, but the impact is emotionally, financially, and physically draining. Whether it’s the chronic tension of “what now?” in the barn, continual boundary violations, or isolation in high-pressure performance environments, HBRD can contribute to emotional dysregulation that may affect both you and your horse(s).
In other words, even when the drama ends and the environment shifts from chaotic to peaceful but you still feel stuck carrying the emotional fallout, because it’s not over for your nervous system.
Equines offer a stable therapeutic connection and their sensitivity and responses to human emotions and behavioral shifts can provide meaningful feedback when something feels off with their person.
If HBRD or unresolved distress causes you to instead feel a sense of dread and erodes your ability to feel safe and grounded even around the equines you love the most, you may want to consider short-term psychotherapy for a guided reconnection and recharge.
Psychotherapy for Equestrians 🐎
We often seek out professional guidance when our equines are not acting like their usual selves or if there are problematic behavioral challenges that need to be addressed.But what about the stress and strain on the people who care for equines and invest a lot of themselves, education, time, and money into supporting equines while also encountering HBRD?
Dr. Mel not only understands HBRD but also the unique needs of equestrian clients within the full spectrum of equestrian life, including the joy of connection, accidents and near misses, to the silent stressors behind the scenes to the shock and sorrow of empty spaces after a beloved equine moves onward.
She offers compassionate short-term therapy for equestrians and equine lovers to heal, restore balance, and move forward with greater clarity in and out of the saddle and arena.
Results Beyond the Arena
Whether you're a show rider, professional athlete, trainer, equine professional, or trail rider seeking emotional steadiness, therapy may help you reconnect within yourself, with your horse(s), and loved ones.
Within Range WELCOMES Horse Barn Related Drama (HBRD) because therapy provides a safe way to unpack and explore stressors and build skills to equip you to not only navigate the drama challenges with more confidence but also expand your emotional capacity when under pressure.
What if a person’s experiences in the equine arena are beyond HBRD and feel traumatic? Therapy is a safe place to fully explore and evaluate traumatic experiences and provide opportunities for healing from trauma.
If difficult dynamics are impacting your personal well-being, let’s talk.
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Because you want a plan, a process, and a personalized path to meaningful change. You expect clinical expertise, compassion, appreciation for neurodivergent thinkers, thoughtful integration of the human–animal connection, and respect for the equine-human relationship.
Dr. Melissa (“Dr. Mel”) Jenkins-Fernández, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in Florida. Her small specialized practice is called Within Range Counseling and Consultation Services, PLLC with a focus on goal-oriented short-term therapy.
Range is an acronym: Reset - Align - Navigate - Gear Up - Emerge, that serves as a reminder to keep learning and refining skill-sets.
Types of therapy offered include Person Centered, Cognitive-Behavioral, Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Existential, Experiential, Somatic Focused, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Equine Assisted-EMDR, and Adjunct EAP
Her work spans various populations and settings: from adolescents 11+ and military personnel to emergency departments, classrooms, and equine facilities, reflecting professional dedication to helping you flourish
Due to her sensitivity of the human-animal bond, she is often requested to help people heal from: being hurt by an animal (i.e., especially horses), loss of a beloved animal, and various other significant life traumas
Dr. Mel often integrates inspirational knowledge of dogs, birds, animals, reptiles, and of course equines into psychotherapy
The Strategy: create a personalized plan to strengthen well-being, build coping and capacity resources, and help foster connections, so you can move forward with more confidence and understanding of what drives you, what holds you back, and how to gently shift unhelpful thought patterns into more balanced thinking.
Hiring a psychologist is a significant personal decision and investment in your well-being. Psychotherapy is about transformation.
You decide. Learn more from a 15-minute free consultation call: Schedule here.
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Psychotherapy and Personal Growth for Anxiety and Distress, Life’s Transitions, Grief and Loss, Post-Traumatic Stress, Equine and Animal Incident & Traumatic Event(s), and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
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Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted-EMDR (EA-EMDR) in Cocoa, Florida provides ground-based (no riding) interactions with equines while honoring each person's and equine's nervous systems, connections, and participation levels. Provided from the months of September to May.
If a person is already in psychotherapy and looking to possibly add Adjunct EAP sessions or Adjunct Equine Assisted-EMDR to current therapy, a referral from the current mental health provider is required along with a screening call to ensure a good fit for services.
In some cases EAP may not be a good fit as a primary or adjunct treatment modality depending upon each client’s needs and this is discussed during the 15 minute consultation call.
EMDR Group-Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP): a trauma-processing method based on EMDR to safely reduce distress without verbally sharing traumatic experiences, using guided worksheets, bilateral stimulation, and resource-building techniques.
📲 Request Intro Call to explore next steps to get started.
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EquiLateral® Equine Assisted-Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EA-EMDR)
Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association (EAGALA) Military Individual Provider Designation with dual Certification: Mental Health (MH) Professional and Equine Specialist (ES). Ground based, MH & ES Team, Solution Oriented, and Evidence Driven. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Learning (EAL)
EQUUSOMA® Level 1: “Time to feel felt and get gotten™” Horse-Human Trauma Recovery is the integration of Somatic Experiencing® in human-equine relationships (EQUUSOMA)
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy-International Association (EMDRIA™) Certified Clinician
EMDR Group-Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP): a trauma-processing method based on EMDR to safely reduce distress without verbally sharing traumatic experiences, using guided worksheets, bilateral stimulation, and resource-building techniques and Recent-Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) trained
O.K. Corral “Red” Series Certified Clinician in EAP & EAL “Crisis Management”
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Short-term Psychotherapy for traumatic incident(s), anxiety and distress, grief and loss, post-traumatic growth, and life’s transitions is provided in Melbourne, FL. Limited time-slots due to small specialized practice size. Inquire for specific time and day on the Request Intro Call form.
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Within Range Counseling and Consultation Services, PLLC
Licensed in Florida #PY12372
PSYPACT Mobility #4660
Practicing Since 2006
EMDR-International Association (EMDRIA™) Certified Clinician
Education:
Psycho-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007) in the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center: Washington University School of Medicine & Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO
APA Pre-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Internship (2006) in the Vanderbilt Consortium in VAMCs Nashville and Murfreesboro, TN
Psy.D. & M.A. in Clinical Psychology (2006) in an APA accredited program from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA with Christian integration, with honors and as an Outstanding Graduate
Served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. She is a third generation Veteran from a family line of Combat Veterans and Clergy
Work Experience: Equine assisted program development and services, Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC), U.S. Army Civilian Embedded Psychologist, private practice, and nursing home consultation
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After the consultation Intro Call, if we agree to be a good fit to work together: Within Range sets an appointment and instructions to review and sign documentation (e.g., HIPAA and Privacy Practices, Informed Consent, Release of Information, a Good Faith Estimate under the “No Surprise Act” and brief assessments)
RESET AND RECALIBRATE
Psychotherapy for Equestrians
If your horse(s) could make a phone call, do you think they would schedule a free 15-minute consultation for you because they care and wonder if you may need some human support? 🥕 Or would they call for carrots?
If the answer is for support, please
consider requesting a
consultation.
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Resources
[ + ] Resources