Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy

Individual and group counseling co-facilitated with horses

What is Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy?

Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy is a series of specifically designed interactive experiences with horses to promote psychosocial healing and growth. A trained therapist assists with personal exploration of feelings and behaviors and allows for the clinical interpretation of these feelings and behaviors.

Who can benefit from Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy?

Any individual desiring personal growth who enjoys animals and the outdoors may benefit. No previous horse experience is necessary. Appointments for children over 6 years old, teens and adults are available.

Areas of expertise include:

• Assertiveness & Empowerment
• Autism
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Emotional and Behavioral problems (including Anxiety, Depression and Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
• Grief and Loss
• Learning Disabilities
• Wellness

What are the special benefits of horses being a part of the therapy process?

Interaction with horses as part of an E.F.P. session has some special benefits, including:

• Facilitating trust and establishing rapport
• Eliciting a wide range of emotional and behavioral responses
• Promoting self-confidence and personal growth
• Helping clients relax by lowering blood pressure & decreasing heart rate
• Motivating clients who may be hesitant to explore traditional counseling

How does E.F.P. differ from Therapeutic Riding?

Though E.F.P. and Therapeutic Riding share many of the same benefits, there are some important distinctions between the two.

E.F.P. is always facilitated by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional. Though the client will learn equestrian skills, therapy co-facilitated with horses is the primary focus.

Therapeutic Riding, however, has a more recreational and educational focus. Though learning riding skills and participating in activities may have therapeutic value for the student, it is not therapy.

According to N.A.R.H.A., an activity is therapeutic if a participant derives benefit, shows improvement or feels better once engaged. An activity can be therapeutic without being considered as therapy.

How does E.F.P. differ from Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy utilizing equine movement. The unique movement of the horse becomes part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. Where Hippotherapy's primary focus is physical, E.F.P. is primarily centered around mental and emotional well-being.

Just as E.F.P. must be facilitated by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional, Hippotherapy must be practiced by a credentialed physical, occupational, or speech therapist. As there are currently no appropriately qualified therapists on the Dream Quest staff, Dream Quest does not offer Hippotherapy.

What do I need to do in order to begin Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy with Dream Quest?

Contact L. Kay Watson by phone at 678-227-2991 or by email at kaywatson@dreamquestefp.com to discuss how Dream Quest E.F.P. can meet your needs and to make an appointment.

A registration packet must be completed and reviewed prior to riding. This includes a release of liability and signed permission to participate from a physician. You may download and print the registration packet here.

Dream Quest E.F.P. Registration Packet (PDF format, readable by Adobe Acrobat)

Dream Quest E.F.P. Registration Packet (DOC format, readable by Microsoft Word)