Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a growing modality in the treatment of a broad range of mental health and behavioral challenges including depression, anxiety, PTSD ,autism, ADHD, suicidal ideations, Traumatic Brain Injury, eating disorders, addiction, sexual abuse and anger management. As an adjunct to or replacement for talk therapy, EAP uses the powerful interaction with horses in ground-based metaphorical activities to aid in personal development, management of triggers or the mitigation of secondary trauma related to severe clinical diagnoses. It is strength-based, experiential, rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and facilitated by a licensed mental health professional and qualified Equine Specialist certified in the Eagala Model.
- Sessions are facilitated by a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHC, LICSW, LSW) and qualified Equine Specialist, both certified in The Model. Through progress notes, the team tracks shifts, patterns, and discrepancies in the behaviors of both clients and horses. The practice is HIPAA compliant as mandated by MA licensure
- The treatment team works hand in hand with referring clinicians to ensure specific goals are met and treatment plans are followed
- EAP is predicated on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is highly efficacious in the treatment of various diagnoses across ages and socio-economic demographics
- The Model is an experiential approach which is solution-oriented. Horses live in the moment, therefore clients must 'be present' during sessions as horses provide them with honest, instant feedback
- EAP is strength-based. The client is believed to possess the answer if only given the opportunity to focus and work through it. Through the use of clean language and questioning, the treatment team provides space for discovery
- The modality has the capacity to integrate the entire family into the therapeutic process when needed, in order to support individuals. This often exposes underlying issues and important dynamics operating below the surface