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Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Analysis

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A woman with posttraumatic stress disorder said, “It was such a breakthrough. I think I’m a very different person having had these experiences” (Meinersmann et al., 2008, p. 39), while discussing her therapy program. However, no traditional therapy program brought this response; instead, it was equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP). Equine assisted psychotherapy is a form of treatment, which uses horses as facilitators to improve mental health. Though some people dismiss EAP as a developing approach, horses may offer opportunities to heal that human therapists cannot. First, the horses encourage engagement in therapy sessions through the opportunities they offer and the equine environment (Bachi et al., 2012; Masini, 2010). Second, horses may …show more content…

Initially, this alternative form of therapy may appeal to reluctant participants, often adolescents who object to the perceived stigma of therapy (Bachi et al., 2012, p. 302). An example is the adolescent who had been referred to the EAP program after traditional therapy did not work. At the EAP center, the adolescent refused to participate in her new therapy program. However, after the connection she felt with the horse brought to greet her at her car, she decided to get involved (Masini, 2010, p. …show more content…

10). Horses become non-judgmental confidants, which are not often available in most patients’ lives (Kemp et al., 2014, p. 559). Additionally, since horses cannot judge, patients are not on the defensive during therapy. This lack of defensiveness allows patients to partake in therapy with a vulnerable, honest mindset that is vital for success (Meinersmann et al., 2008, p. 40). One patient explained that she was too sensitive and defensive to be able to benefit from traditional talk therapy with a human therapist “so having that equine-assisted psychotherapy was very validating” (Meinersmann et al., 2008, p. 40). Furthermore, not only are horses non-judgmental, as long as they are treated well, they respond with love and acceptance. These factors in the equine-patient relationship enable patients to foster further emotional improvements (Bachi et al., 2012, p.

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