Psychotherapie met behulp van paarden

Equine Facilitated Therapy

Equine Facilitated Therapy is a treatment in which humans interact with horses in their natural environment, helping to support emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between the client, the therapist, and the horses themselves.

People typically learn best by “doing”. Life lessons have a deeper impact when individuals both understand them in their heads and, more importantly, experience them in their bodies. Working with the horses is engaging and hands-on and the results are noticed immediately. The experience helps the client to learn about themselves and others by discussing and processing their feelings and behaviours to recognise underlying patterns.

EFP is often more effective and quicker than traditional clinical and psycho-educational approaches in helping clients to change and grow.

Why Horses?

Horses have defined roles within their herds and, just like humans, are social animals that need interaction with their peers. Horses have distinct personalities, moods, and attitudes, which you can clearly see when you observe the interaction between human and horse. Horses also require work; they can’t clean or groom themselves and can’t prepare their own food. Attending to their needs requires discipline and responsibility.

→ Horses are non-judgemental and non-confrontational.

→ They are sensitive, especially to intent – they can detect human emotions and will mirror them through their own responses and behaviours.

→ They provide honest and immediate feedback.

→ They don’t hold grudges or lie.

→ Having the focus on the horse and their behaviour rather than on individuals in the group, helps reduce anxiety and allows the client or group to explore their difficulties in a very supportive, calming and grounding environment.

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How does it work?

EQUINE FACILITATED THERAPY HAS BEEN USED IN TREATMENT CENTRES ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR MANY YEARS.

Initially pioneered in America, Equine Facilitated Therapy is now widely used in the UK and Europe. It is often integrated into a weekly programme as part of a group therapy process, though is equally beneficial on a one-to-one basis. Well known for its use in work with addicts, it is also useful for addressing issues that often exist alongside addiction, such as co-dependency, ADHD, psychological and emotional issues such as grief, depression, anxiety and anger management. It is also useful for family therapy given that addiction often effects the entire family and not just the individual.

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Equine Facilitated Therapy is particularly beneficial for people who have problems with:

Verslaving

Depressie

Grief

Angst

Anger

Relationships

Boundaries

Assertiveness

Trust

Respect

Self-control

Co-dependency

Empathy

Responsibility

Unconditional acceptance

Identity

Abuse

On a practical level

→ EFP at Ibiza Calm takes place in a private, secluded farm in the hills of Santa Gertrudis.

→ Clients will always be accompanied by a qualified and registered psychotherapist, who is also a qualified and registered “LEAP” practitioner. If there are 3 people or more, there will always be 2 facilitators present at all times.

→ No horse experience needed.

→ Sessions take place mostly outside and appropriate clothing is required, i.e. closed-toe shoes, no sunglasses or sun hats.

→ Clients will not be riding

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