What is EAP?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed mental health therapist, a horse professional, and horses working together with the client(s) in order to address the treatment goals of the client(s). It is considered short-term or brief treatment but, it is intense and effective, due to utilizing all of one’s senses simultaneously.

EAP is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing the activity (or discussing feelings, behaviors, and patterns). This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used by therapists, treatment facilities, and human development courses around the world. But EAP has the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings.

Not all programs or individuals who use horses practice Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. For one, licensed clinical professionals need to be involved for it to be considered psychotherapy. The focus of EAP is not riding or horsemanship. The focus of EAP involves setting up activities involving the horses which require the client or group to apply certain skills. Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence, and attitude are several examples of the tools utilized and developed by EAP.

EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families, military personnel and groups. EAP addresses a variety of mental health and human developmental needs including behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues, depression, anxiety, military personnel and their families’ unique issues, relationship problems and communication needs.