Equine Interaction

animal silhouette horizon horse

No matter the model of psychotherapy or learning, the health and welfare of both the horse and the human is essential. Honest and regulated interactions are created together as a partnership.

Equine Facilitated Learning

Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) is similar to Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) but the focus is on learning or educational goals.

EFL involves a mental health professional and horse professional working together with clients and horses. The focus however is on education and learning specific skills as defined by the individual or group, such as improved product sales for a company, leadership skills for a school group, or resiliency training for our military warriors.

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy & Equine Facilitated Learning can be an effective modalities for individuals, couples, families and groups.

  • Engaging and Experiential Sessions
  • Corporate Workshops
  • Educational & Social Outings

EAGALA Model

The EAGALA model is based on four tenets:

  • activities are ground-based (non-mounted)
  • sessions are facilitated by a team including a qualified equine specialist, a licensed mental health professional and horses
  •  solution-oriented programs
  • adhere to a code of ethics

When using the EAGALA model, I work as part of a team with Robin Risso, LMFT along with our four legged professionals!  Watch a demonstration of the EAGALA Model.

The Equilateral Model

The Equilateral Model or Equine Assisted EMDR is the only EMDRIA  Approved Equine-Assisted Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Protocol. It is an innovative integration of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and EMDR. Equine Facilitated EMDR uses the horse as a co-facilitator during the therapy session.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is a comprehensive, research based  & integrative treatment approach which has been in clinical practice for more than 20 years. EMDR is effective for resolving emotional difficulties caused by disturbing life experiences.

Integrated Therapy Models

Additional models are often used in the presence of horses including but not limited to: Internal Family Systems, CBT, DBT, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, Narrative, Family Systems, Expressive Therapy

Contact me to inquire or schedule an session.

Getting Unstuck~ Working Together With Other Clinicians

 
If you are a clinician and have a client that may need assistance overcoming a barrier, EFP can help. Equine facilitated  activities, depending on the individual provider and training, are mostly based on the ground with no riding involved. Clients will process their experiences along with the feelings, emotions, behaviors and patterns that appear during the session. As a result, clients are better able to quickly recognize their behavioral patterns. Furthermore, upon adapting and creating new responses, clients experience immediate results in the form of reactions, feedback, and natural consequences that the horse(s) present in session. In addition, clients are able to “take the experience away with them” to later reference and reflect upon.

EFP models are being used across the world. Like EMDR, it is often used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also used to treat autism, depression, addictions, as well as in individual and marriage counseling, coaching, and learning settings.

There are multiple organizations that train and/or certify skilled licensed healthcare professionals interested in the field of equine interaction. The most well known are: Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, American Hippotherapy Association, PATH International-NARHA/EFMHA, the University of Denver Institute for Human-Animal Connection, International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations,  and the Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals.

The Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals (CBEIP) promotes voluntary, independent certification by examination and verification of professional experience for those who incorporate equines into their mental health or education/coaching practice. The Certified Equine Interaction Professional (CEIP) credential indicates verification of extensive professional experience and independent assessment of knowledge in the field of equine interaction services. The certification is currently the highest level of competency assessment offered for equine interaction professionals in the U.S. and Canada.