Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
www.eagala.org/index (see video on EAP)
One of the therapies that are offered through my practice is equine-assisted psychotherapy. EAP is not psychotherapy for horses. EAP is a type of psychotherapy for humans. In EAP a mental health professional (therapist) and an equine specialist (horse expert) work as a team with clients while the clients interact with horses. It is a non-riding activity. This type of therapy is what we refer to as an experiential therapy in that the horses allow clients to increase their understanding of themselves, of their relationships with others and of how they view themselves and function in their everyday worlds. EAP helps clients change and grow and these changes may happen faster than in traditional therapies. EAP often complements other forms of therapy.
Sometimes it is easier to explain what EAP is not. EAP is NOT hippotherapy or therapeutic riding. Therapeutic riding is used for disabled persons as a form of physical therapy. EAP is not horsemanship. Horsemanship is teaching people about taking care of horses. EAP is not about riding a horse. EAP is a non-riding activity. It is an on-the-ground opportunity. EAP is used for a number of mental health issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, emotion-dysregulation, substance abuse. EAP is used to improve social skills, communication and relationship issues, and for problem solving.
I offer EAP services through my PMHNP practice. More information about EAP and EAL is on our KnowingHorse website. KnowingHorse lists our practitioners. We are each certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), an international organization of mental health professionals and equine specialists who provide these services. Our practice follows EAGALA's standards and code of ethics. For more information please contact me through this website @ noreenesposito@gmail.com or through KnowingHorse.
Sometimes it is easier to explain what EAP is not. EAP is NOT hippotherapy or therapeutic riding. Therapeutic riding is used for disabled persons as a form of physical therapy. EAP is not horsemanship. Horsemanship is teaching people about taking care of horses. EAP is not about riding a horse. EAP is a non-riding activity. It is an on-the-ground opportunity. EAP is used for a number of mental health issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, emotion-dysregulation, substance abuse. EAP is used to improve social skills, communication and relationship issues, and for problem solving.
I offer EAP services through my PMHNP practice. More information about EAP and EAL is on our KnowingHorse website. KnowingHorse lists our practitioners. We are each certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), an international organization of mental health professionals and equine specialists who provide these services. Our practice follows EAGALA's standards and code of ethics. For more information please contact me through this website @ noreenesposito@gmail.com or through KnowingHorse.