Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

What is Equine Therapy and
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a solution-focused, strengths -based model of therapy that incorporates horses experientially to promote emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed mental health clinician and an equine specialist, working with client's and horses to achieve treatment or learning goals.

Equine Assisted Personal Development programming incorporates the same elements of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, with the focus on your personal or professional goals.

The focus of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is NOT on riding or horsemanship. It involves setting up ground activities that will require participants to apply certain skills such as non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving.

Courageous Hearts staff practice the EAGALA model of EAP which is a structure, facilitation style and standard for conducting Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning.

The Standard is defined as:
1. The Team Approach...a qualified professional team consisting of a mental health professional, equine specialist and horse(s)
2. Focus on the Ground...all interactions are grounded which allows for greater creativity and personal insight.
3. Solution-Oriented...a belief that client's have their own best solutions when provided the opportunity to discover them.
4. Code of Ethics...EAGALA has it's own code of ethics to ensure the highest quality EAP is provided. In addition each facilitator is responsible for adhering to their own professions code of ethics.

For more info see eagala.org

Services / Benefits / Help of EAP:

  • Equine Assisted Psychotherapy)
    (provided by a team of certified professionals)

  • traditional talk therapy (provided by a mental health therapist)

  • individual, family and specialized equine therapy programs

  • personal development workshops

  • PCIT (parent/child/interactive therapy)

  • retreats

  • team discovery groups

  • Military, reserves, veterans and their families

  • stronger family relationships

  • improved confidence

  • decreased stress, anxiety and depression

  • improved problem solving skills

  • assertiveness

  • grief healing

  • more...

  • ADHD

  • Anxiety

  • Addictions

  • Relationships

  • Behavioral issues

  • PTSD

  • Team discovery

  • more..