Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Learning
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an experiential process, meaning you learn about yourself by taking part in equine based activities and then process thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and patterns. Each session is designed to meet your unique treatment goals. EAP will help you discover effective solutions for the challenges in your daily living.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an alternative setting for personal growth for those not requiring therapy. Experiential lessons are designed around the goals of the participants. EAL offers you an opportunity to be actively engaged in posing questions, experimenting, solving problems, assuming responsibility, being creative, and constructing meaning.
EAP is for both the young and the old. Individuals, couples, families, and groups have enjoyed the benefits of being able to explore different ways of coping, problem solving, regulating emotions, and increasing self-awareness experientially with horses.
Individuals, couples, families, groups, board of directors, management teams and corporations are offered opportunities to explore and examine personal and group interactions, values, areas to improve, and reasons to celebrate.
Horses present several advantages. Obviously the size of the horse presents a perfect opportunity to overcome fear and develop confidence and trust. Just like us, horses experience a variety of emotions and are intuitive and social animals with distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. This creates an environment for metaphors to surface connecting to a deeper meaning in life.
Horses are herd animals often interacting just as humans do individually and in groups. Participants learn about themselves and others by connecting with the horses and then observing and discussing the team dynamics, behaviors, and patterns that arise. Horses mirror human relationship dynamics and offer a different perspective into peoples lives, family and group interactions.
All activities are ground-based and solution-focused; no riding is involved which means no horse knowledge or experience is necessary. Instead, effective and deliberate techniques are utilized where the horses are in a better position to confront and engage with clients, emphasizing the true power of EAP sessions.
EAL sessions endorse non-mounted activities which gives the horses the freedom to be themselves and move about naturally. This allows the dynamic of the herd to provide honest feedback in a non-judgmental way, providing you the liberty to think "out of the box" and tap into the solutions inside you.
EAP addresses a variety of mental health and behavioral challenges ranging from anxiety, depression, PTSD, abuse, trauma, addiction, grief, eating disorders, ADHD, bullying, low self-esteem, self-harm, anger management, boundary issues, relationship problems, family concerns, and effective communication.
EAL emphasizes education, personal development, life skills, professional growth and team dynamics. Outcomes often include more effective communication, increased assertiveness, enhanced creative thinking, improved problem solving, gained confidence, cohesive team building, and more effective leadership.