How it works:

During EAP sessions, participants engage in activities such as grooming, leading, or obstacle courses with horses. These activities are carefully designed to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication skills, and trust-building. Horses, as highly perceptive and non-judgmental animals, provide immediate feedback to participants’ actions and emotions, which can lead to therapeutic insights and goal progression. The therapeutic process is guided by trained professionals who help participants process their experiences, emotions, and insights gained from interacting with the horses.

Our trained Equine Therapy Assistants are there to ensure the smooth and safe delivery of sessions, providing assistance to the Practitioner, managing other interested (but not invited!) herd members, or just observing from afar to allow the client / therapist relationship to blossom authentically.

Benefits:

• EAP can be effective in addressing a wide range of mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, Autism, PTSD, ADHD, and behavioral disorders.
• It offers a unique and engaging therapeutic experience that appeals to individuals who may be resistant to traditional talk therapy.
• Interacting with horses in a natural outdoor setting promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being.
• EAP fosters the development of essential life skills such as empathy, assertiveness, boundaries, and problem-solving.
• The bond formed between participants and horses can be healing, providing a sense of connection, trust, and emotional support.

EAP vs Traditional Therapy methods:

• EAP offers a hands-on, experiential approach to therapy, allowing participants to learn and grow through direct interactions with horses.
• The presence of horses as co-facilitators in therapy sessions adds a dynamic and unpredictable element, leading to spontaneous insights and therapeutic opportunities.
• EAP emphasizes the importance of non-verbal communication, body language, and intuition, enhancing emotional awareness and interpersonal skills.
• The natural outdoor environment of EAP settings promotes relaxation, mindfulness, and connection with nature, which can enhance the therapeutic process.

Please register your interest for our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Canberra, or request further information using the form below.