By UB's Helena Lee, M.A.:
“So, you’re like a horse whisperer, or something?”
Not exactly. For the past year, I have traveled to Golden, CO for training in equine-assisted psychotherapy, or EAP. Often, most people have no idea what this psychotherapeutic modality entails. For me, this is where the fun begins! EAP practitioners believe in the power of the horse-human relationship. EAP is experiential, embodied and energetic.
People ask, “But, why horses?” There are several compelling reasons, however, I will focus on just two. Horses are herd animals. Just like human herds, aka families, horses have social order and are relational. In order to exist in a herd, they communicate clearly about boundaries, intention, roles and needs. Working with horses can teach humans about these very skills that are also important in functional families.
Second, horses are animals of prey. Survival depends on the capacity to scan their environment and other living beings. Horses look for emotional congruency. This enables horses to serve as mirrors to reflect back to clients what may be truly going on internally, even if their exterior appears calm, cool, and collected. Horses are honest, authentic and generous in heart. They are non-judgmental and highly relational.
Coming in contact with horses can be life changing for clients struggling with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, families, couples, and people with trauma and attachment disorder, just to name a few. For more information on EAP and/or training, please check out these links and resources:
www.gestaltequineinstitute.com
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130121441.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Way-Horse-Horse-Human-Relationship/dp/0595479081