Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
"I have learned to trust again"
EAP client
Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is an experiential form of therapy that involves incorporating horses into the therapy session to address issues resulting from the traumatic effects of abuse, neglect, grief and loss, depression, anxiety and other adverse life circumstances. Often, due to relational wounds in our lives, we develop unhealthy relational patterns and negative coping mechanisms. Insecure relational patterns may develop.
In Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) we are working with clients to create secure attachment patterns with the horse. A horse, as a prey animal, spends most of their time in their brainstem, or survival part of the brain (fight, flight, freeze), much like a person who has experienced trauma. Due to the horses ‘survival instincts’ they are incredibly alert to the internal states of others. Therefore, they give immediate feedback to what is taking place internally with the client.
While interacting with horses, clients are able to experience and practice new ways of being and communicating - rather than simply talking about it. When we have a new experience, new connections are made in the brain and body - making it easier to repeat these new behaviors again in the future. As I have worked with clients, I have seen the impact of the connection they experience with the horse. This internal sense of connection (felt sense) contributes to what we want for them in their human relationships... a secure attachment.
I have a dual certification (Equine specialist and mental health specialist) under Natural Lifemanship in Trauma Focused- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
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Please note that sessions are not necessarily riding. Most of the
work is on the ground. Also, you do not need previous experience
with horses.
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Sessions take place at the Singapore Polo Club and I work with those aged 12 and above.
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Please visit www.naturallifemanship.com for more information on
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
