Benefits and Principles of Equine Assisted Mental Health
1. The client comes first: The benefits for the client are:
- Their needs are always considered first and foremost
- Increases the ability to make choices
- Increases a sense of empowerment
- Increases self-determination
2. Solution-Oriented Approach: EAMH's approach is based on the philosophy the
client has the best solution for him/herself.
- Increases sense of self-worth
- Increase awareness of internal distress
- Increase the ability to make healthy choices
- Increase in identifying old patterns of self-defeating behaviors
- Increases awareness of feelings not previously explore or experienced
- Short term intervention to increase the quality of both your life and relationships
3. Philosophy of Change: Allows clients to discover solutions through experiential
learning.
- Increases the ability to change while being challenged in a safe environment
- Increases problem solving skills
- Increases assertive behavior
- Decreases barriers and defensive behaviors
4. Horses assist clients with: Focusing on themselves and to increase the
quality of their relationships. It is not focused on horsemanship and riding
- Increases communication skills
- Increases self-esteem
- Increases the ability to change what is not working for you in your relationships
- Increases the ability to bond with another living being
- Decreases fear of intimacy
- Decreases fear of failure
- Decreases negative self-image
- Decreases distortions in perceptions of what others may think of you
5. Focus on the process: The client is involved an equine therapeutic activity
rather than on any stated goal.
- Increase sense of self-awareness and success
- Increases grounding skills to regulate emotions
- Decreases unrealistic expectations of your self
- Increases the ability to focus on the present moment, feelings and senses
6. The Team Approach: There is a lot to see. Two sets of eyes will help
recognize a wealth of learning opportunities that one set might miss.
It is safer and more professional with a team.
- There are always 2 people present during an EAMH session
- The team is available for support, guidance and reassurance
- Each team member offers their own strengths to each session
- The team works in a cohesive manner to reflect how the horse is responding to the client in the present moment
Make a choice today to make a change.
Please contact Judith Schneider, LISW at Healing Through Horses
(505) 685-0596 or send an email to: Judy@healingthroughhorses.net
for a free initial consultation, to obtain more information and to schedule an appointment.
"Life is a journey, enjoy the ride" ~ Unknown ~
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