“These animals interrupt the hypnotic effects of our own human conditioning giving people unusually efficient access to forms of healing, perceiving and relating.”
McElroy and Kohanov
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) involves the use of a horse in the therapeutic process in order to assist clients. There is no riding involved and all sessions take place on the ground in interaction with horses. No prior horse knowledge is required to take part in EAP.
A safe, judgement-free and experiential space is created for the client, allowing them to find more effective ways of being, interacting and problem solving.
EAP has been found to be effective in addressing a number of presenting concerns with a wide range of ages, from children to adults, and has been seen to have the following benefits:
The opportunity to practice new skills and transfer these back to life
The involvement of all facets of the person to generate change
Assisting clients in identifying and accessing their inner capabilities thus facilitating the assumption of self-responsibility for life experiences
Providing a non-threatening and motivating learning environment
Empowering clients through a sense of control
Breaking down defence barriers
Enhancing problem-solving skills
Teaching empathy, responsibility and patience
Building trust in relationships
Stimulating creativity
Decreasing feelings of hopelessness
Improving the client’s self-concept
Increasing the client’s internal locus of control
Conveying lessons on an emotional level
Promoting change from dysfunctional patterns to successful ones
The benefits to participants are immediate and measurable and show more functional and productive relationships as well as dramatic increases in learned skills and confidence.
EAP can be used for individuals, couples, families, therapeutic groups and corporate groups (team-building).