ABOUT

Meet Ursula

Psychology, horses and grounded experiences designed to help people build confidence, connection and personal growth.

BACKGROUND

I’m Ursula James, founder of Equiroots, an applied psychologist and horse professional with experience in youth care, horse behavior and
experiential learning.

Alongside my work in psychology, I continued specializing in horses through additional training in horse-guided coaching, equine behavior and hands-on experience working with both horses and people.

Over the years, I’ve worked with children, teens and individuals, helping people navigate challenges related to confidence, emotional well-being, communication and connection. Through that work, I developed a strong interest in understanding behavior and creating environments where people feel safe enough to grow.

Through that journey, I kept noticing something: horses communicate in a way that often reaches beyond words. They respond honestly, without judgment, creating space for awareness, trust and meaningful experiences.

Originally from the Netherlands and now based in California, Equiroots grew from bringing these worlds together — combining psychology and horse expertise to create experiences that help people build confidence, strengthen connection and move toward meaningful growth.

“Horses respond honestly
to what we bring into the moment”.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

Equiroots combines psychology, horse-guided experiences and practical learning in a calm California ranch setting designed to support connection, growth and self-awareness.

Sessions go beyond conversation alone, creating opportunities for people to slow down, build awareness and experience things differently. Whether the goal is greater confidence, emotional well-being, stronger communication or personal growth, the focus is on helping people gain insights and experiences that can lead to lasting change.

When appropriate, Equiroots also collaborates with educators, counselors and support networks to create experiences that feel accessible, personalized and supportive.

Every journey is unique, but the impact is what matters.
Here’s what people have shared about their experience with Equiroots.

Kind words from clients

CLIENT EXPERIENCES

My daughter immediately felt comfortable with Ursula and the horses. After just a few sessions, I noticed she became more confident and expressive in her daily life.