Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) offers experiential psychotherapy sessions to individuals, couples, families, and groups in an outpatient mental health treatment context. The horse actually participates in the therapeutic process. Natural horse and herd behavior are observed and recognized as a model for healthy human behavior. Equine facilitated exercises are designed to elicit metaphors for the issues you are facing and to promote self-awareness. These exercises help you recognize your own behavior patterns and create your own solutions. This experience provides opportunities for the client to learn about themselves and new ways to cope with their everyday life.
Issues That May Benefit from EAP:
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Self-Esteem
-Relationship Issues
-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
-Behavioral Problems
-Mood Disorders
-Substance Abuse
-Family Conflict
….and many more
All credit for video goes to Bit of Hope Ranch in North Carolina.
Alexandra is certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy through The OK Corral Series and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala).
Why Horses?
Horses are naturally very sensitive animals that respond to their immediate interpretations of the world around them. They are constantly communicating and assessing the world around them to stay safe and to thrive. This instinct causes them to be very sensitive to humans and often, the horse is more aware of our internal state than we are.
How Does EAP Work?
EAP honors the natural behavior of horses and herds. As prey animals, horses are skilled at keeping themselves safe and adept at survival; their natural behaviors are optimal for mental and physical health. In many ways, humans have lost the instinct to keep themselves safe and healthy. We can entrust horses to show us the way back to health. Work and observation in the horse world lends itself to extremely powerful metaphors into our own patterns, strengths, and the nonverbal messages we send out.
EAP is not riding therapy or horsemanship. It takes place on the ground with horse(s) and is a hands-on approach where you are given the space to project and analyze your situations, make connections, and find solutions to your problems. Solutions from EAP sessions are personally experienced in conjunction with intellectual understanding; therefore, results tend to be deeper, more profound, and longer lasting. You take an active role in your treatment to creatively explore and find your own solutions, and the horses help to facilitate this process.
What Should I Expect?
EAP sessions are done with Alexandra and her horses. Alexandra has over 30 years of experience with horses and has been trained and certified in EAP. You should expect to interact with one or more horses during your sessions. Sessions are conducted in a manner that promotes optimal safety and therapeutic benefit for both humans and horses.