Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

Horses offer unique opportunities for people to discover inner strength, and work through emotional and behavioral barriers without shame or stigma.  Engaging with horses therapeutically has the benefit of helping to illuminate behaviors and emotions in a way that traditional talk therapy may not. When facilitated by a professional treatment team, working with horses allows people to safely experience emotions, deepen insight and develop new prospective and ways of being.  

Reflections Counseling and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy incorporates the Equine Growth and Learning Model (Eagala) when offering Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. The Eagala team approach is a professional mental health model that uses evidenced based practice and is recognized worldwide. It is not recreational horsemanship, riding lessons, or therapeutic riding and does not involve riding at all. The Eagala approach incorporates trained professionals and horses through an innovative and collaborative team approach. The treatment team includes a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist and of course; the horses.  

 The Eagala Model is a psychological framework based on sound theoretical principles.  The therapist is responsible for guiding and facilitating treatment and ensuring emotional safety. The equine specialist does not provide therapy however does help oversee the physical and emotional safety of the horses and everything in the environment. Much like traditional talk therapy, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy begins with an intake interview with a licensed therapist followed by a treatment plan which is supported by progress notes that are completed after each session. Treatment sessions are structured to focus on client goals, and the environment is set up to facilitate life-changing outcomes in a safe, non-judgmental setting.