Equine

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is effective for a wide range of mental health diagnoses including:

  • Addiction

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Low self-esteem & poor self-image

  • Trauma

  • Family and interpersonal relationship difficulties

Hope Hill’s unique EAP program mirrors client’s inner thoughts and feelings, offering them a new way to connect with themselves, process their emotions, and explore behaviors and relationship patterns that have become problematic in their day-to-day lives.

Horses are majestic, gentle creatures and their sheer size and strength can stir deeply buried emotions in clients. Clients are able to bond with the animals and learn valuable lessons about respect, empathy and communication that will help them in their recovery journey.

What It Is

Under the EAGALA Model, both a certified Mental Health Professional and a (trained and) remove these words and just use certified certified Equine Specialist work together (collaboratively) I would delete this word at all times to assure clients get the therapeutic attention and support they need as they make life changes. The EAGALA Model involves no riding, making it both safe and effective. The ground level work enables clients to better perceive the horses’ actions and reactions as they work to process and solve their own life challenges. Under the guidance of the EAGALA Treatment Team, horses offer clients honest feedback and usable information, which can assist them with developing a better understanding Through practices like bathing, grooming and caring for the horses, and the use of the 6th sense that horses have, clients can explore their inner feelings, reasons for their behaviors, and can observe how they interact with others, and how they perceive themselves. Interactions with the horses bring up thought and behavior patterns that are related to the issues that have brought clients into treatment. We identify these patterns and customize experiential exercises to address each client’s individual needs.

How It Helps

Under the EAGALA Model, both a certified Mental Health Professional and a (trained and) remove these words and just use certified certified Equine Specialist work together (collaboratively) I would delete this word at all times to assure clients get the therapeutic attention and support they need as they make life changes. The EAGALA Model involves no riding, making it both safe and effective. The ground level work enables clients to better perceive the horses’ actions and reactions as they work to process and solve their own life challenges. Under the guidance of the EAGALA Treatment Team, horses offer clients honest feedback and usable information, which can assist them with developing a better understanding Through practices like bathing, grooming and caring for the horses, and the use of the 6th sense that horses have, clients can explore their inner feelings, reasons for their behaviors, and can observe how they interact with others, and how they perceive themselves. Interactions with the horses bring up thought and behavior patterns that are related to the issues that have brought clients into treatment. We identify these patterns and customize experiential exercises to address each client’s individual needs.

Benefits

After participating in equine therapy, clients often find it easier to speak their mind, process their emotions and connect with themselves and others in the community. EAP brings emotions to the surface so clients can begin working through them and more fully engage in the recovery process. Other benefits include:

  • Increased empathy and willingness to be vulnerable

  • Increased sense of responsibility and self-confidence

  • Better communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills

  • Better ability to express feelings, needs, hopes and desires

  • Improved ability to process and share difficult emotions and experiences

  • Increased connection to self and others

  • Better understanding of teamwork and community

  • Increased trust and respect in relationships

  • Greater respect for diversity and individuality

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