EAL & EAP Services
We offer both Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
There is focus on skill development, such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Equine Assisted Learning is often facilitated by an individual certified in EAL by one of the programs such as EAGALA or the OK Corral Series. Greg Kertsen Founded EAGALA and later developed the OK Corral Series. Other credentialing organizations are popping up all over the country as this is becoming a successful modality to help youth that face the challenges of trauma, depression, anxiety, self harming and much more. It does not involve a licensed mental health professional as there is no talk therapy portion. The horse is the therapist, the certified individual is the facilitator.
Goal: To enhance personal growth and development through interactions with horses.
Participants: May include individuals or groups, and often involves hands-on activities like grooming, leading, and groundwork exercises.
Professionals: Typically involves equine specialists and educators who guide the learning process. Not considered psychotherapy as there is not a licensed therapist involved.
While EAL can have therapeutic benefits, it is not considered a form of psychotherapy.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (ЕАР):
Focus: Addresses a wider range of needs, including mental health, emotional well-being, and social skills.
Therapists: Can involve various professionals, including mental health therapists, counselors, and certified equine specialists.
Approach: Can include a variety of activities like grooming, leading, and working with horses, often tailored to individual needs and goals.
Examples: Helping individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use disorders develop coping skills, improve self-esteem, and build healthy relationships.
EAP is a recognized form of psychotherapy and is often used as a complement to traditional talk therapy.
In the mental health therapy barns most activities are on the ground… 75% of our activities are non-mounted. Most mental health therapy barns focus on experiential learning. The “therapists” are more “facilitators”. It is NOT talk therapy. The horses natural herd behavior is combined with the training of the therapist/facilitator to plan out exercises or create an environment that allows the youth to learn with the horse the skills we are all trying to help them to develop… emotional regulation, healthy coping mechanisms etc. The goal is to build a toolbox of skills they can use throughout their life and to break generational cycles.
Social workers and psychologists are the licensed professionals in true mental health equine therapy. They are needed when delivering EAP. For clients experiencing mental health challenges EAP is recommended. Mental health professionals are not required for EAL. EAL does have therapeutic benefits as the horse is still the true “therapist” in the world of equine assisted activities and teaches emotional regulation and healthy coping mechanisms as clients work with them. Improved confidence, self-esteem, empathy, accountability and personal responsibility are all taught to us as we experience working with horses.
Our EAL and EAP programs are not limited to youth, individual sessions are available for adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, recovery and other mental health challenges.
For more information on the world of equine assisted activities you can visit: equestriantherapy.com/equine-assisted-programs
Please contact us for pricing sessions on EAL and EAP.