Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Infographic

Hello World,
Here is my infographic on Equine Assisted Psychothearpy, hope you learn something you didn't already know!

http://infogr.am/Equine-Assisted-------------Psychotherapy/


References:

Cold Creek Wellness Center (2013). Why Horses [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.coldcreekwellness.com/addiction-treatment/equine-therapy/

Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (2010). Company Logo [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.eagala.org

Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (2010). Information. Retrieved from http://www.eagala.org/info   

Gass, Michael A., Lee Gillis, and Keith C. Russell. (2012).  Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Routledge

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (2013). Company Logo [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.pathintl.org

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (2013). Riding Registered Level Certification. Retrieved from http://www.pathintl.org/resources-education/certifications/riding  

Rabon, L. (2012). What is Equine Assisted Therapy. Retrieved from http://wheniride.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/what-is-equine-assisted-therapy/


Reins of H.O.P.E. (2012).  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Retrieved from http://www.reinsofhope-ojai.org/eap.html

Rehabinfo.net (2013). Equine-Assisted Thearpy. Retrieved from

http://www.rehabinfo.net/experiential-therapy/equine-assisted/

Schultz, P., Remick-Barlow, G., & Robbins, L. (2007). Equine-assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health & Social Care in the Community 15(3), 265-271.

Take Flight Farms (2013) Main Site Photo [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.takeflightfarms.org

7/Chapter 8: Well Metaphorically Speaking..

Question: Examine psychological support for using metaphor in language to facilitate change.

   

My Answer: 

Often, Adventure Therapy practices see metaphors as tool in order to help clients discover change within themselves.   There are many different approaches to how to implement metaphors into Adventure Therapy practices.  One which I want to focus on for the purposes of this bog is structured metaphoric transfer where the therapist works with the client to co-create a framework of interpretation about their adventure experience before it actually begins.  This approach increases the likelihood of client focusing on their interpretation of the experience, providing one that is tailored to their needs.

A key term associated with structured metaphoric transfer in Adventure Therapy takes part in the isomorphic framing of the experience.  Basically clients use an idea, object or description that is identical, thus comparable, to another idea object or description that they are dealing with in their everyday life (Gass, Gillis, Russell 2012).This object then serves as a physical representation of that emotion they are feeling or problem they are facing.

A similar approach to the use of isomorphism used by other mental health care professionals is seen in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.  This video may not represent the most memorable experience of all structured metaphoric transfers, although it explicitly represents what structured metaphoric transfer looks like within Equine Assisted Psychotherapy practices.  If you watch the first minute of the video and then skip to 4:20 on, you can get a better idea of how the client takes away or transfer the activity back into his life at home.  In this video the “boat” is isomorphically framed (or introduced) right from the beginning.  This allows the client to view the boat (constructed of a tarps, jumping blocks, cones and various objects) as the idea that needs to be “sunk” in the clients mind. 

Working with horses often provides people with various passageways to introduce metaphors with how to deal with intimidating and challenging situations in life. In a broader sense a client is able to become more self-aware of how the horse relates to them, their herd and how they relate to the horse.  The opportunities for structured metaphoric transfer are limitless.  Some health care professionals believe anything found in relationships with other people, family dynamics, emotional reactions, behaviors and choices can be played out in equine assisted psychotherapy sessions. 

What other ways have you seen Adventure Therapy, Equine Therapy or other practices use structured metaphoric transfers as vessel for clients to experience change? Is this approach more effective for certain lengths of programs, why or why not?

Citations:

Gass, Michael A., Lee Gillis, and Keith C. Russell. (2012).  Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Routledge

Trinity Equestrian Center (2010).  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. Retrieved from http://www.trinity-ec.com/trinity_services/eap_eal.phtml

Reins of H.O.P.E. (2012).  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Retrieved from http://www.reinsofhope-ojai.org/eap.html


Romaridge. (2009, January 5) . Life's Obstacles Transitions Equine. Retrieved February, 2013, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGR7NJBFNgk 

3: Blog, Frog, Eggnog?

         When considering adventure therapy, one can view an approach to AT through the ABC~R triangle.  Basically, the approach meets clients where they are willing to expose themselves through their affect, behavior or cognition instead of fitting them into a existing program.  This in a sense is a co-created experience between the therapist and the client viewing the client through the lens of their environment. The success of this approach is partially how the adventure therapist or field staff connects with the client.  One approach that I appreciate is the fact that the AT primary focuses on increasing positive feelings, actions, and thoughts instead of trying to eliminate negative thoughts, feelings, and actions.

          Another approach to mental health treatment is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). EAP is licensed therapist and horse professionals working together with a client to achieve treatment goals.  This incorporates experiential learning, professionals in the health care field and is a co-created experience.  However, this approach is different in the sense that the relationship described in the ABC~R triangle is created between the therapist and client, and this type of therapy also involves a very important four legged friend. Seems cool, huh? Check this promotional video, for more information on EAGALA and what they are trying to achieve.   

           Art therapy is another approach that has similarities to AT.  I was very unfamiliar with art therapy and was fascinated that it was used as a treatment for almost 100 years asking patients to visualize and create the emotions or thoughts they could not put into words.  Art therapy shares the self-discovery part of the AT experience client dig into feelings and actions that they may have felt in the past.  This makes the experience experiential in nature, since it involves the clients discovering treatment for themselves.  The difference is that the relationship here is more discovered primarily by the individual and does not necessarily involve a mental health professional.  Art therapy also focuses more on putting the bad emotions out to the light and focusing on them in the form of the painting rather than just focusing on increasing positive feelings. 

           Sometimes therapy comes in a more natural sounding way, Ecotherapy.  Ecotherapy helps treat people through the great outdoors when we are able to harmonize with the earth.  Once clientele recognize the planetary well-being and personal well-being are not to be separated and in taking care of the earth we are taking care of ourselves they can successfully take part in the treatment. This may be a more literal translations of AT’s philosophy of focusing on the client view the world through the lens of their environment. Similar to AT, Ecotherapy focuses on the positive rather then negative thoughts, feelings or actions one experiences.  This also doesn’t necessarily involve professional staff, as Ecotherapists are there to facilitate sessions for clientele. 

These three differing types can be compared against AT to better understand the approach AT takes, and other therapy’s take.  Hope you learned something!

Citations:

Noah Rubinstein, (2012, August 10) . Ecotherapy / Nature Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/ecotherapy-nature-therapy.html

EAGALA (2010) . What is EAP and EAL? Retrieved from http://www.eagala.org/Information/What_Is_EAP_EAL

International Art Therapy Organization (2009) . Art Therapy and Mental Health. Retrieved from http://www.internationalarttherapy.org/mentalhealth.html

EAGALA. (2012, July 16) . EAGALA In Practice Video Part 1. Retrieved January, 2013, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drm_vK5deFs&list=PL7E2E181689D2B749&index=1

Gass, Michael A., Lee Gillis, and Keith C. Russell. (2012).  Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Routledge.