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®. She currently conducts research with colleagues to show the effectiveness of equine-assisted psychotherapy to improve her practice model. This Agency of 3 clinicians specializes in sensory processing, ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, and mild trauma in children and adults. We are trained in neurodiverse affirmative therapy practices. Each clinician was hand selected and trained 1:1 for a year. Jacqui takes training to the highest level so she meets with clinicians twice a week and shadows sessions to ensure the clinician is meeting the client’s needs and providing a high level of care.

Jacqui has earned certifications in trauma, personal training (2020), clinical hypnosis (2018), Hatha Yoga (2024), Trauma Sensitive Yin Yoga (2025), 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). Lastly, she earned a certificate in equine behavior from The University of Denver in 2024. Jacqui provides consultation on best practices for treatment centers and private agencies.

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. She was initially trained in EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and has attended some EponaQuest workshops. Most recently, she completed training in the Equid Nexus model which integrates horses with Internal Family Systems (IFS). Jacqui is currently on a waitlist for clients at her rate of $250-$300 per session. Her associates have openings if you navigate to the providers page.

She is a board approved licensed clinical supervisor who runs an international consultation group for equine assisted psychotherapy/learning professionals. 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”.

This state-of-the-art facility is located in a private setting which includes 8-9 ft high block fencing all around to ensure as much confidentiality as possible when working outside with the animals. There is also a coded gate to ensure the property is secure and there are no unauthorized visitors. Jacqui personally designed the barn and arena to fit the needs of the horses and clients so they can be comfortable in all weather conditions. There is an air-conditioned office and clean bathroom on site. We have an additional location in Mesa (Lehi area). In-home services available in the East valley only (Gilbert, Mesa). Virtual coaching & consultation services are available for adults internationally through Skye Life Solutions.

She sees healing as a holistic process which is why she consults with a team of naturopathic doctors, expert therapists, psychiatrists and personal trainers who are available for consults. She is trained in CMHIMP which integrates natural remedies and nutrition in treatment to achieve the desired results. Treating the entire body and ensuring everything is in balance is imperative to healing psychologically. Bemer (PEMF) therapy is also used in sessions for no additional cost. This therapy is used all over the world to increase circulation, cellular detox and may improve anxiety. Some techniques Jacqui and her team use are clinical hypnosis, Geek Therapy®, play therapy techniques, Somatic Experiencing®, IFS parts work, eco therapy, art therapy techniques and mindfulness.

Here at Skye Therapy, we have a parenting program consisting of meeting with the child/teen alone for 3 sessions with the 4th session being with the parents alone. This model of therapy has a faster outcome because we partner with your parenting style to improve your child’s behaviors and reduce symptoms. We also suggest proven parenting books that are easy to follow and provide real life examples. Jacqui ensures the family is involved in every step and stays in close contact between sessions. Counselor-client fit is our main goal so we do 3 trial sessions to ensure we are a good fit and vice versa!

We excel at relational attunement, which is why we prioritize building genuine rapport rather than immediately focusing on goals or techniques. If you are seeking a therapist who will “teach coping skills” and “get right to work” we are not the agency for you. We strive to build a healthy client-therapist attachment prior to doing any “therapy techniques.” This makes the treatment even more effective and reduces recidivism within our specialty population. 

All of our animals are fully vetted & assessed by a behaviorist. Dr. Susan Fay of Sacred Spaces https://www.drsusanfay.com/(see photo of her and Fiji) is our equine behaviorist and Gina Kraus is our K9 behaviorist.

“I am often asked why the name Skye? Skye was my boxer/pit bull who was my first K-9 therapy partner in 2009!”

Licensure: I am licensed by the Board of Behavioral Health in the state of Arizona LPC-15857. Please feel free to verify my license through Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

Interview: CanvasRebel – Meet Jacqui Lauko

Interview: Voyage Phoenix Interview

Interview: Bold Journey

Interview: Bold Journey – Legacy Interview