Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an experiential treatment method that involves clients interacting with horses. EAP has been used to treat issues including ADD, abuse, depression, anxiety, drug abuse, eating disorders, and more. In an EAP session, a client will typically groom, feed or walk the horse while the therapist observes the clients' reactions to the horse's behavior. Therapists that utilize EAP often believe that horses provide instant and accurate feedback of a client's thoughts and feelings, which can help both the therapist and client become more aware of these emotions. Horses are nonjudgmental, which can help clients connect with another living being that accepts them – making it easier to learn to trust, and easing the path into having trusting relationships with other people. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s EAP specialists today.

Need help finding the right therapist?
Find Your Match

Meet the specialists

 

I provide a somatic based approach to EAP. Horses can be powerful healing facilitators for clients. They are able to reflect back emotions to the people engaged with them whether the people are aware of their own emotions or not. This provides a great way to be able to externalize and work through various struggles in life. Horses are great with helping set boundaries, building self-awareness, developing healthy communication styles, and so much more.

— Kodie Mobbs, Associate Clinical Social Worker in Liberty Lake, WA

I am a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. I offer in-person equine-assisted psychotherapy in Pasadena, CA. I have over 40 years of experience with horses and believe they can teach us a great deal about ourselves. Equines are partners in my treatment and you will be outside and in nature which also adds to your healing.

— Cornelia Seiffert, Clinical Social Worker in Pasadena, CA
 

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy combines evidence based counseling methods with a "hands on" therapeutic experience in a beautiful outdoor setting to help you get out of your head & practice real change in the moment. All activities are ground-based, there is no riding and no horse experience is necessary. Perfect for those who enjoy the outdoors & recognize the powerful therapeutic potential of animals & nature.

— Ashton Burdick, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Cleveland, NC
 

I am currently in the process of certification in Natural Lifemanship EAP and help previous certification in EAGALA EAP. I have a lifetime of experience with horses and know firsthand their impact on our emotional states.

— Jill Horan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in WONDER LAKE, IL

EAP is an experiential approach to therapy. Rather than talking about what has happened, we use expressive tools and activities to recreate or reenact emotional experiences. As you build a relationship with a horse, your patterns of interactions with others surface so we can see where you need to heal your relationship with yourself and with others. People learn to have healthy boundaries, connect to their bodies and emotions, and have connected relationships!

— Katelynn Kozbial, Licensed Professional Counselor in Austin, TX
 

I am certified in and practice Equine-Assisted Therapy in addition to traditional services. This experiential mode of therapy allows clients to explore healing in a unique and relational way with both human and horse facilitators. I have grown up around horses and adding them to my counseling work has integrated well into my professional life.

— Bethaney Clark, Professional Counselor Associate in Gresham, OR

EAP incorporates the mighty, empathic, and spiritual presence of horses into psychotherapy. Horses outwardly mirror what we feel inside in a way that is nonjudgmental, sensitive, and pure. They bond with us nonverbally in a special relationship that leaves many feeling profoundly seen and understood. I worked with youth survivors at a horse ranch and rescue for over 6 years before completing 3 years of clinical internship at an Equine Assisted Therapy program for youth in crisis.

— Rory Valentine Diller, M.A., Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Cruz, CA
 

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy utilizes the horse as a tool in the therapeutic process. I am a PATH certified therapeutic horseback riding instructor as well as EAGALA trained in EAP.

— Marisa Kuropatkin, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Tappan, NY

I offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy at a facility nearby.

— Eliina Belenkiy, M.Ed., LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor in Middleburg, VA
 

Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) / Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) -Accepting new clients for EAP beginning March 1, 2023

— Ashti Dawson, Licensed Master of Social Work in Springfield, IL

My equine practice is located at the beautiful Wildsong Ranch in Longmont. This is a wonderfully supportive modality for those who prefer working in the environment and being surrounded by nature.

— Gillian Pierce, Psychotherapist in Longmont, CO