About Family Alliance Equine Assisted Services
About Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) brings the counseling session outside an office setting, allowing a horse to becomes co-therapist alongside a licensed counselor. This allows for EAP to be more experiential. You may find the freedom of working through your thoughts and feelings with a horse, may provide you the space to feel safer to face your internal challenges. Through its sensitive nature, the horse naturally and honestly provides feedback in what it senses in you. A horse is very in tune with emotion states and is aware of somatic cues such as heart rate, and breath rate. The real-time response can be helpful as you learn about yourself and begin practicing new skills such as emotion regulation, mindfulness, and improved self-awareness.
What is a Typical EAP Session?
Most EAP sessions consist of a client, licensed counselor, a horse, and an Equine Specialist, who supervises safety. All activities are on the ground, meaning, there is no horseback riding involved. No horse experience is required. You will be invited to participate in activities that both you and the horse will navigate together, allowing you to connect with yourself and begin your journey of healing.
EAP can be helpful with the following challenges:
- PTSD
- Attachment Wounds
- Trauma
- Self-Esteem
- Self-Confidence
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Social Skills