Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, or EAP, is a therapeutic treatment tool that appropriately trained and licensed mental health professionals can use with any client audience to engage the client in the therapeutic process and enhance the benefits of therapy. My specialized training in EAP is through the University of Denver’s Institute for Human and Animal Connection.

Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)

I am also a certified Equine Learning Facilitator through the HERD Institute. EFL is not traditional psychotherapy but is a facilitated learning session using horse interaction to learn more about yourself, your relationships, and how you navigate your life.

What to expect in an equine session

Whether you are in an EAP or EFL session you can expect to participate in a transformative session with horses surrounded by nature. You will experience the calm and grounding equine environment as the session begins with mindfulness techniques to prepare you for positive relational experiences with the horses. You can expect to interact with horses while conversation and reflection is facilitated. You will learn how to engage horses and how to build relationships with the horses you are drawn to. You will then integrate your learnings and insights from the session to carry the growth and realizations with you into your everyday life.

Who can benefit from equine sessions

There are many benefits of EAP and EFL. All sessions are client focused, with an emphasis on client autonomy and your unique strengths. If you are interested in improving your life in the following areas, equine assisted sessions can be a fit for you.

• Reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, panic, trauma, and depression

• Building skills to create healthy boundaries

• Enhance relationship building skills

• Improve self-esteem, confidence, and positive self-image

• Build self-observation and self-awareness skills

• Impulse control

• Mindfulness and grounding techniques

• Promotes insight and meaning making in challenging times

• Process experiences of grief and loss

• New skills are learned and equine relationships are formed

• Improve communication

• Experience a safe and non-judgement space to share openly and unburden yourself