Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: What to Expect in a Therapy Session with Horses
At Amani Mediation and Counseling, Equine Assisted Therapy sessions are built around the individual needs of clients. Every client’s experience is unique and life coaching is personalized for children, teens and youth, adults, and groups.
Setting Horse Therapy Goals
Usually I meet with clients a couple of times at my office before we do work with the horses. In these initial sessions we get to know one another, and what the client’s goals for therapy are.
Meeting the Therapy Horse
Most individual equine assisted therapy sessions take place un-mounted . We follow protocols from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. Usually clients meet the horse they will be working with and spend some time getting to know them. Safety protocols are always followed and taught.
Equine Assisted Therapy Activities
The client is given a task to do with the horse. For instance, the client might be asked to create an obstacle course of things that provide great challenges in their life. Then they will lead the horse through it.
These sessions are open to outcome. That means it really doesn’t matter if the client is able to do the task, it just matters what feelings, emotions, and thoughts the client has while doing it. We are looking for ways in which the experience of interacting with a therapy horse serves as metaphor for how the client makes meaning in their life.
Usually we will do two or three exercises per session and build on a theme. Sessions can also involve brushing, grooming, and working with the horses.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Outcomes
When clients choose Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for healing and growth, they bring their mind, body, and spirit into the session in a way that is not always possible when using conventional talk therapy. This environment allows for deep and effective work to take place in a short amount of time. To date, all of our clients have left the farm having gained deep insight into themselves and often a profound sense of peace.
Contact us to learn more about Equine Assisted Therapy. We love designing tailor made individual and team building experiences, so please let us know how we can serve you.