Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Experiental Learning
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EAP) or Equine-Assisted Experiential learning (EAL) is an emerging field of therapy that works with horses to help promote emotional growth and learning of clients with a variety of issues. This work entails a collaboration between a professional psychotherapist &/or equine professional, and a horse in order to help participants learn about themselves and others through interacting in a horse-human exchange.
As in other forms of psychotherapy or experiential learning, the goal of sessions may vary. Common themes arebuilding confidence, improving communication skills, or enhancing personal insights that give participants new and creative problem-solving tools that can be applied effectively to situations in their everyday lives.
Some additional examples of the processes that may be supported by Equine Assisted Psychotherapy include improving conscious communication and awareness of non-verbal communication, enhancing empowerment and interpersonal assertiveness, developing creative problem solving, practicing leadership skills, experimenting with work-play balance, taking responsibility, building teamwork, improving relationship skills, and quieting the “inner critic”.
By interacting cooperatively with a large, powerful animal, participants are able to develop greater self-confidence, learn about boundaries, and overcome fears. Horses are uniquely suited to this work because of their responsiveness to human emotional cues. As animals of prey, they are highly sensitive to changes in their environment and their human partners.
Carol is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Experiential Learning Association. She has completed training in the EPONA method by Linda Kohanov, an internationally known trainer and author of The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing and Transformation through the Way of the Horse and Riding Between the Worlds. Carol is an EPONA-approved Instructor.
Carol is involved with a coalition of mental health and substance abuse professionals in South-central Kansas for Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine-Assisted Experiential learning (EAL).
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