Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
By Vicki Champion
An Equine Psychotherapist is a fully accredited therapist who then undertakes equine psychotherapy training. Under EAGALA, Equine Growth and Learning Association, all therapy sessions will have a Horse Specialist working alongside. Horses, act as a dynamic component to facilitate emotional, cognitive and bodily awareness. The Therapist intervenes with questions, observations and suggestions, and the horses begin to engage in particular ways depending on the situation. It is a short-term and experiential approach.
EAP involves no ridden tasks. The focus of the EAP involves setting up activities involving the horses, which require clients to apply and develop certain skills such as:
- assertiveness
- problem-solving
- leadership
- taking responsibility
- relationships
- confidence
- attitude
- non-verbal communication
- listening
- creative thinking
- teamwork
People tend to reveal their true selves as it is hard to perform an activity, and 'perform' for people at the same time. The activities begin to reflect a person's real life, demonstrating their processes and attitudes to their personal situations. At the outset specific treatment goals, objectives and interventions are identified and documented.
EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has a strong impact on individuals, couples, families and groups. EAP addresses a variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioural issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and communication needs.
Horses are social animals. They have defined roles within their herds and have distinct personalities, attitudes and moods. An approach that seems to work with one horse, does not necessarily work with another. This provides a range of opportunities for metaphorical learning and insight. Setting up tasks with horses, can act as metaphors for real situations. Metaphors activate multiple parts of our brains simultaneously which tends to consolidate learning and make it far reaching. The experiential nature of EAP adds to this consolidation as not only is the cognitive aspect of learning addressed, but also the emotional and motor memories become activated.
Horses do not 'people please', therefore our normal way of behaving and relating is going to be put to the test. Horses are very sensitive to emotional states. The herd situation means they instinctively pick up on the herd mood, and as prey animals their ability to assess body language, emotional states and intent, is vital for survival. This ability transfers over easily to their human relationships. Within therapy sessions, horses may reflect or mirror a client’s body language or emotions A person will often throw the responsibility for their difficulties back on other things, people or situations. Finding a way through with the horses can challenge fixed thinking and behaviour patterns. Horses are honest which makes them powerful messengers, and the experiential nature of the therapy and a client’s subsequent response, makes it hard to deny insights and behaviour patterns.
Horses are large and powerful, this creates a natural opportunity for some people, to overcome fear and develop confidence. It can also be a challenge to aggressive or angry clients, used to intimidating people, but not at all sure what a horse might do. Accomplishing a task involving the horse, in spite of fears or frustrations, can develop learning which can be transferred to other intimidating and challenging situations.
No Upcoming Workshops - But keep checking back as we update regularly.
Cost: £80 for one place
Special Offer for Group Booking - £240 for 4 places
To book a place, please call 01273 546051
email: admin@psychotherapyhomecounties.co.uk