Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning (EAP/EAL) is an experiential form of therapy, (meaning learning by doing) which is solution based and effective. It produces authentic experiences and includes the possibility to learn from natural consequences, mistakes and successes. Through direct involvement, participants develop skills and clarify values which will enable them to apply their knowledge to real life situations.

The non verbal responses of the horse(s) provides information to the client and the treatment team, information that brings awareness of current patterns and motivates change to new ones.   The constructive use of metaphor is used in EAP/EAL and activities are designed to best create metaphors to “real life”. Everything done with the horses can be related to what is happening at home, school, work, in relationships, etc.

EAP is a team approach involving a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist and the horses(s) at each session.

Specific treatment goals, objectives, and interventions are identified and documented. Sessions are structured and facilitated to deliberately address the reasons for which the client came to therapy.

The therapeutic team guides the client to come to their own conclusions or solutions. We believe it is a more powerful and transformative experience when the client finds their own answers for themselves, rather than being told. The treatment team is there to provide the opportunities and bring consciousness to the lessons being learned. Some of the ways this is done is by looking for patterns, shifts in behavior, things that might be unique and that have meaning behind them, and by discrepancies in behavior, or incongruence, which horses are particularly skilled at sensing.

After the session, there is an opportunity for reflection and to process what has transpired and what insight they may have gained, etc. This may be done by discussing or by journaling, or a combination of the two. This allows participants to quickly see the connection between their actions and the results, and then apply that new understanding.

EAL is similar to EAP but is geared more towards building life skills such as self esteem and/or communication. It is more general and preventive in nature (rather than addressing specific emotional issues). EAL may or may not have a licensed mental health professional present depending on the program. In instances where they do not participate in the actual  sessions, supervision and/or consultation is provided by them.



Following is a partial list of issues/skills that Equine Assisted therapy can be used to treat:

Communication                    
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder &
Traumatic Brain Injury    
Autism Spectrum Disorders                                                       
Self Esteem
Grief
Trauma
Addiction
Domestic Violence    
Eating Disorders                                                                                  
Marital/Pre Marital Counseling
Life Transitions

A non-judgmental, supportive, emotionally and physically safe space is provided, in a private and serene setting, to ensure a positive and meaningful experience.

Content copyrighted by Horse Wisdom January 2011

Below are video links further describing the method.

From PBS 'Wisdom of the Wild' series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghwrmMxeJLI
Horses and Psychology Connection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cwP7IEReLg&feature=related
Eagala Model Part I: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=68319E063C4F84B0 
Eagala Model Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qCBMNA33yk&feature=PlayList&p=68319E063C4F84B0&index=1
Horse Sense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_S37pzr10&feature=related
Equine Assisted Learning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWxk3GiEGU8&NR=1
Garfield Park Academy EAP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ewadoocCMI&feature=related
LEAP (U.K.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvFMwHqPDb4