Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

 
 

Clinician for this modality:

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy utilizes intentional experiences with horses to explore and discover effective and useful strategies in building connected, secure relationships with the self and others.

Interactions with horses go beyond the cognitive structure that binds us to old narratives, fears, and shame. The Horse is a primal, instinctual being that has attuned senses to the energies and intentions of others. Connecting with horses can activate your own instincts and attune you to the truths that are enlightened from them.

From the Horse's nature as a herd animal it is open and engaged in becoming a partner with you in establishing a grounded sense of being, freeing you from limiting beliefs, and opening you to knowing your own power.

Therapeutic practices with horses have shown to allow for the development of new states of consciousness, opening opportunities for safe exploration of interpersonal relationships and personal adversities. Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP):

  • Can offer treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, oppositional defiance disorder, mood disorders, and attachment disorders.

  • Naturally enhances neural processing and develops regulated brain and behavior patterns from integrated systems to produce more assertiveness, self-awareness, and balanced states of being.

  • Explores and discovers effective strategies which build connected, secure relationships with the self and others.

  • Can lead to greater equanimity; a mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

How it Works & Scheduling

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy sessions are held at a partnering horse barn in Junction City, Oregon. The barn is on 9 acres and is home to 5 horses.

In these sessions the client is supported in initiating engagement in treatment via a relationship with any one of the horses of their choosing. Therapy sessions typically involve client-led activities with the horse that target recognition of patterns of behavior, relationships, and neural system processing.

A focus on connection and relationship with the horse develops the vehicle for change that resonate with the needs of the Client.