Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: Accentuating Bond Between Horse and Human

Category: 1
CE Hours: 1.5

Workshop Description:

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), particularly the EAGALA model, is a new, largely untapped resource. The EAGALA model uses a team-based approach and is performed by a mental health practitioner and an trained equine professional. The model has been found to be particularly useful with clients who are largely unresponsive to typical office treatment. This brown bag lunch workshop will begin to scratch the surface on some of the research studies that have already been conducted, the basic framework of the EAGALA model (one of many EAP programs), and how this continuingly developing therapy is currently being used with different populations. This workshop is appropriate for any level of clinician.

Workshop Objectives: At the end of this class participants will be able to:

1. Understand the EAGALA model's four tenets (team approach, ethics, ground-based, and solution-focused). 
2. Think about potential populations that could benefit from this type of complementary treatment. 
3. Understand the major findings of selected research studies on EAP in practice. 
4. Define how the roles of the mental health practitioner and the equine specialist overlap and differ. 

Introduction (10 minutes)

Summary of Research (15 minutes)

EAGALA (10 min)

Example of a Session (15 min)

Application in Clinical Setting (10 min)

Case Study (20 min)

Qs and As (10 min)

Recommended Reading: The EAGALA Training Manual 8th Edition ($20.00 on the EAGALA website)