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Breaking Free
Christian Counseling
Christian Counseling
What is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning. EAP is a
collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional. Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term or
"brief" approach.
EAP is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then
processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used by therapists, treatment
facilities, and human development courses around the world. But EAP has the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings.
Not all programs or individuals who use horses practice Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. For one, licensed clinical professionals need to be involved
for it to be considered "psychotherapy". The focus of EAP is not riding or horsemanship. In fact, 90% of EAP takes place purely on the ground. The
focus of EAP involves setting up activities involving the horses which will require the client or group to apply certain skills. Non-verbal
communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence,
and attitude are several examples of the tools utilized and developed by EAP.
EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families, and groups. EAP addresses a
variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse
issues, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication needs.
Why Horses?
Those who are familiar with horses recognize and understand the power of horses to influence people in incredibly powerful ways. Developing
relationships, training, horsemanship instruction, and caring for the horses naturally affects the people involved in a positive manner.
The benefits of work ethic, responsibility, assertiveness, communication, and healthy relationships have long been recognized. Horses naturally
provide these benefits. The use of horses is growing and gaining popularity with the rise of new approaches in working with the horses, including the
field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
We are often asked, "Why horses? Why not other animals?"
Horses are large and powerful, which creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. The size and power of the
horse are naturally intimidating to many people. Accomplishing a task involving the horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides for
wonderful metaphors when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.
Horses are very much like humans in that they are social animals. They have defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers.
They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. An approach that seems to work with one horse, does not necessarily work with another. At
times, they seem stubborn and defiant. They like to have fun. In other words, horses provide vast opportunities for metaphorical learning. Using
metaphors, in discussion or activity, is an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.
Horses require work, whether in caring for them or working with them. In an era when immediate gratification and the "easy way" are the norm,
horses require people to be engaged in physical and mental work to be successful, a valuable characteristic in all aspects of life.
Most importantly, horses have the ability to mirror exactly what human body language is telling them. Many people will complain, "The horse is
stubborn. The horse doesn’t like me," etc. But the lesson to be learned is that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently. Horses are
honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning. EAP is a
collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional. Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term or
"brief" approach.
EAP is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then
processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used by therapists, treatment
facilities, and human development courses around the world. But EAP has the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings.
Not all programs or individuals who use horses practice Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. For one, licensed clinical professionals need to be involved
for it to be considered "psychotherapy". The focus of EAP is not riding or horsemanship. In fact, 90% of EAP takes place purely on the ground. The
focus of EAP involves setting up activities involving the horses which will require the client or group to apply certain skills. Non-verbal
communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence,
and attitude are several examples of the tools utilized and developed by EAP.
EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families, and groups. EAP addresses a
variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse
issues, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication needs.
Why Horses?
Those who are familiar with horses recognize and understand the power of horses to influence people in incredibly powerful ways. Developing
relationships, training, horsemanship instruction, and caring for the horses naturally affects the people involved in a positive manner.
The benefits of work ethic, responsibility, assertiveness, communication, and healthy relationships have long been recognized. Horses naturally
provide these benefits. The use of horses is growing and gaining popularity with the rise of new approaches in working with the horses, including the
field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
We are often asked, "Why horses? Why not other animals?"
Horses are large and powerful, which creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. The size and power of the
horse are naturally intimidating to many people. Accomplishing a task involving the horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides for
wonderful metaphors when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.
Horses are very much like humans in that they are social animals. They have defined roles within their herds. They would rather be with their peers.
They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. An approach that seems to work with one horse, does not necessarily work with another. At
times, they seem stubborn and defiant. They like to have fun. In other words, horses provide vast opportunities for metaphorical learning. Using
metaphors, in discussion or activity, is an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.
Horses require work, whether in caring for them or working with them. In an era when immediate gratification and the "easy way" are the norm,
horses require people to be engaged in physical and mental work to be successful, a valuable characteristic in all aspects of life.
Most importantly, horses have the ability to mirror exactly what human body language is telling them. Many people will complain, "The horse is
stubborn. The horse doesn’t like me," etc. But the lesson to be learned is that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently. Horses are
honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers.
| HEALTH PLAN CHECKLIST How to determine if your plan provides REAL mental health care The National Coalition of Mental Health Professionals and Consumers, Inc. www.TheNationalCoalition.org NCMHPC@aol.com I-866-8COALITION 1. Can you get a full diagnosis and treatment by a highly trained mental health professional? 2. Can you use any licensed clinician or are you limited by a list of "preferred providers?" Lists limit your choice of clinician, especially if your income is limited. (Many patients today cannot find a clinician with whom they are comfortable because of these limits. Some can't find anyone at all, as many of these lists are "phantom lists" containing names of clinicians who no longer take new patients or are no longer on the list.) 3. If you must use a list of "preferred providers," is there a sufficient range of clinicians that includes specialists and subspecialists (e.g., in adolescent, family therapy; in eating disorders; addictions; etc.)? 4. If there is a "list," do you have immediate access to out-of-network clinicians when needed? 5. Is "medical necessity" decided by you and your clinician or by a "case manager" who doesn't know you and never meets you; who uses their company's "clinical guidelines" to determine how much of what kind of treatment you need? 6. Can you choose the type of mental health therapy you feel fits your needs or are you limited to "brief' "system-focused," or "problem-focused" therapies or limited to generic medications? Does your plan provide for individual, couples, group, and family therapy; generic and brand-name medications as prescribed your clinician; biofeedback; etc.? Are there "fail-first" requirements or excessively high co payments you can use the newest or most effective medications? (This can be dangerous for those with serious mental illnesses.) 7. Can you stay in treatment as long as is needed, as decided by you and your clinician? 8. Are hospitalization and day treatment centers available when you and your clinician believe they are necessary? 9. Does your plan provide for separate units or programs for children, adolescents, the elderly, and those with addictions or disabilities? 10. Is your treatment private? Does your plan require only a diagnosis, dates of treatment, type of treatment, and to process your claim or does your plan "manage" your care by requiring personal information from your clinician about your symptoms and problems in order to "authorize" sessions? (Many people decline therapy or - feel they have to pay out of pocket to ensure privacy, making it unaffordable to many who need privacy for their mental health. 11. Can you remain in treatment with the professionals you like at the facilities you like when your insurance changes, when your job changes? 12. Is the behavioral or mental health portion of your insurance administered by a different company than the rest of the health care benefits? (Often, these "carve-outs" discriminate against those with mental health problems.) 13. Are there different benefit limits to mental health care than there are for physical health care? 14. Are all psychiatric diagnoses in the DSM and ICD-9 (published lists of diagnoses accepted by the mental health professions) covered? 15. Do you have to get referrals, pre-authorizations, call 800 numbers, or go through other gatekeepers or screening mechanisms before seeing the right mental health professional? (Access should be direct, with no obstacles to treatment.) 16. Does your plan allocate 8-10% of all health care expenditures to mental health care? (If not, it is under funding mental health care.) T he elements listed above are essential for quality mental health plans and insurance. Mental health problems include serious mental illness, addictive disorders, and emotional problems. All should be covered in a comprehensive health plan. If your plan does not have all you need, speak to your employer or to your union, to the people who negotiate and contract for your plan. |
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