Veterans
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) offers valuable support to veterans by leveraging interactions with horses. Here’s how it can help:
Emotional Bonding
Horses strengthen emotional bonding with participants.
Trust and confidence build over time.
Non-judgmental Interaction
Horses offer nonjudgmental companionship.
They don’t analyze or criticize, creating a safe space.
Reflecting Emotions
Horses mirror emotions felt by participants.
This reflection aids self-awareness and healing.
Physical Connection
Grooming, leading, and riding create physical connection.
Veterans find comfort and release.
Active Military
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) offers valuable support to active military members by leveraging interactions with horses. Here’s how it can help:
Unique Qualities of Horses:
Speed Emotional Breakthroughs: Horses provide safe reflection and feedback, aiding those with PTSD.
Herd Dynamics: Observing horse herds helps clients understand relationships and fosters collaboration and trust.
Resilience Building: EAP recreates life experiences, helping service members rediscover strengths and overcome obstacles.
Break Through Barriers to Care:
EAP removes stigma associated with traditional talk therapy.
Engagement increases impact, leading to better treatment outcomes.
Military clients often experience meaningful changes more quickly.
Real-World Solutions:
Clients find their own solutions to life struggles.
EAP empowers them to apply newfound insights in both military and civilian contexts.
First Responders
Equine-assisted psychotherapy provides valuable support to first responders who often face high levels of stress, trauma, and emotional challenges due to their demanding roles. Here are some ways it helps:
Stress Reduction and Self-Awareness: Equine-assisted learning workshops involve activities with horses, focusing on self-awareness and stress reduction.
Physical and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Equine-assisted therapy utilizes horse movement as part of a coordinated intervention program. It helps address physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy goals.
Trauma Coping: Equine therapy is cathartic and experiential, aiding in coping with trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
EAP provides a safe environment for healing and growth, without directly discussing trauma.
Military Sexual Trauma
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) has shown to be effective in addressing Military Sexual Trauma (MST) among veterans and active military members. Here's how it can help:
Decreased PTSD Symptomology
EFP reduces PTSD symptoms through mindfulness practices.
Mindfulness helps survivors manage trauma-related distress.
Improved Relational Functioning
Working with horses enhances relational skills.
Participants learn trust, boundaries, and healthy connections.
Mind-Body Reintegration
EFP fosters mind-body integration after trauma.
Horses provide a unique avenue for reconnecting with one’s body.
Empowerment and Recovery
EFP contributes to recovery and empowerment for survivors.
Equines offer a non-traditional, appealing therapy option.
Victims of Sexual Abuse
Equine-assisted psychotherapy, offers a unique approach to supporting individuals with sexual trauma. Here’s how it can help
:
Building Trust and Connection
Participants work with horses, focusing on caring for and interacting with them.
Activities are designed to build trust and create a bond between the client and the horse.
Enhancing Confidence
EAP helps traumatized clients regain confidence in their bodies.
Participants learn to relax and trust again through their interactions with the horses.
Confidence-building occurs by developing horse skills and staying present in the moment.
No Need to Discuss Trauma Details
Unlike traditional therapy, EAP doesn’t require participants to delve into traumatic experiences. It focuses on the present and practical interactions with the horses.
EAP can positively impact trauma-related symptoms, such as intrusive memories and nightmares.
Individual Adult Sessions & Group Therapy Facilitated by Chris Finch, LCSW, ASUDC
Chris has spent his entire career in mental health focused on processing and healing trauma. His experience with trauma informed care collaborated with equine assisted psychotherapy provides the client everything they need to heal and at their pace. He will walk with you on your journey and guide you to be whole again in a way unlike any traditional therapy. Let him help you begin this journey.