Responses to course readings and activities
In the treatment of mental health problems, psychiatrists have for centuries relied on therapeutic means that at times appear ridiculous. For the last couple of decades, Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) has been a subject of increasing interest by medical professionals. This has led to scholars and stakeholders in human health and specifically in mental health to research and write extensively on the issue. Course readings and activities on the issue attest to the effectiveness of EAT with various examples of how it can be applied to help restore mental health among children, teenagers and adults facing diverse distressing situations in life. In addition, the readings present guidelines on how to career therapists can implement EAT in handling their patients. This paper seeks to respond to various course readings on EAT and also presents a discussion on how I can use it in my development as a therapist.
An article by a team of psychologists led by Rothe, Vega, Torres and Pazos (2004) titled From Kids and Horses: Equine facilitated Psychotherapy for Children presented several interesting issues on EAT. According to the study, interaction with a sensitive horse provides therapists with an effective vehicle by which a therapist can use to teach the patient coping skills. The article suggests that the horse can be incorporated as a co-therapist in a team composed of occupational therapists, psychologist, horse men and veterinary doctors.
The study asserts that children who ordinarily shun emotional and physical presence of other people often appreciate the physical and emotional closeness of horses. The benefits of child-horse relationships include improved socialization and conversation, care translation, stimulation of companionship and affection as well as promotion of self-esteem (Rothe, et al, 2004). In summary, the article concludes by stating that EAT provides the well being and the overall improvement in the quality of children with mental problems.
This study is in accordance with the assertions of Bachi, Terkel and Teichman (2012) who in a seven-week study on 14 adolescents undergoing EAT, proved the effectiveness of EAT on four cardinal areas of human life. These areas are self-control, self-image, trust and general life satisfaction. Compared to another group of 15 adolescents who never underwent EAT, the 14 teenagers who did, reported improvements in all the four areas highlighted above.
A further study by Krista, Meinersmann, Bradberry and Roberts, (2008) examined five women selected based on age, who had experienced abuse in their lives and sought Equine-Facilitated Therapy (EFT) in their recovery. This study was aimed at accessing the effectiveness of EFT. At the end the study an analysis of data showed that all women confessed of having power to do therapy hands-on with horses as co-therapists and that the experience had turned their lives around. Overall the women described EFT as an effective intervention in overcoming abuse.
Dr. Kane Beverley (2006) from the Stanford School of Medicine in an article titled Medicine and Horsemanship stressed on the need for therapists to interact with horses in order to improve their relationships with their patients through improved verbal and non-verbal communication. Kane (2006) asserts that horsemanship trains physicians to become patient, gentler and more focused, more perceptive, increases their awareness and boosts their self-confidence. Horses develop in human beings three non-rational, non-intellectual aspects of human intelligence “emotional, instinctual and sensory” (Kane, 2006). According to Kane (2006) physicians who have trained in horsemanship develop self-confidence and are able to communicate with their patients better because they are more sensitive to the needs of patients and especially mental patients.
These studies are among the numerous articles and books written on EAT. They show the pivotal role that non-conventional therapy methods are having on the medical scene currently experiencing various challenges. Though scientists and physicians have made great strides in the development of medications to treat various diseases, psychiatric health remains a unique field characterized by diverse intangible challenges.
The emergence of EAT as an effective way to restore mental health comes with several benefits. First, EAT is a cheap method of restoring mental health as compared to other methods that call for the administration of costly drugs and equipment. It is also a suitable method for those who fear medical procedures such as injections or those who detest swallowing pills and syrups. Most therapists organize EAT sessions in a flexible manner that accommodates the lifestyle of the patient. This comes as a huge relief to many patients who detest confinement in a hospital setting undergoing therapy (Trotter, 2012). Once the client finds a horse that they can relate properly EAT requires little effort to accomplish effectively. Unlike cats and other pets whose fur can be allergic to certain people, horse hair has rarely been termed as allergic thereby adding to the applicability of EAT to diverse personalities.
The challenges to effective EAT could be building rapport with a horse. At times some clients could find it difficult to relate to horses or get frustrated for their failure to win the affection of their choice horse. Other people and especially those who reside in cities may find it hard to use EAT due to the inaccessibility of horses in cities. It may require such people to travel some distance to access fields or parks where they can spend therapy sessions with a horse and a therapist (Hill, 2006). In such cases EAT may prove to be expensive while being strenuous on the time and efforts of the patient.
How EAT relates to my development as a therapist
EAT has personally fascinated me and I believe that it directly relates to my personal development as a therapist because it has been proven to be a viable method of restoring psychological health. In the course of my profession I am bound to meet patients who will opt for EAT or on whom I will recommend EAT as a possible therapy method. I plan to gather information on how to be an effective Equine Assist Therapist from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGLA). I could take courses such as Medicine and Horsemanship among others as suggested by Kane (2006). I believe that if I am personally acquainted with EAT, I shall become more sensitive to the needs of my patients; help them in selecting therapy horses and administer effective EAT. I also plan to become a member of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA). Using EAT, I might help my clients recover from problematic psychiatric areas such as Attention Deficiency Disorder (ADD), eating disorders, anxiety, depression, abuse issues, substance abuse, communication needs and relationship problems.
How it compares with my choice model
EAT is in accordance with my career aspirations and shall be of great applicability in the execution of my duties as a therapist. It shall provide me with insight for observation and growth. In this case I can use a client’s interpretation of a horse’s behaviors, movements and reactions as a metaphor to identify and therefore change the negative thinking patterns that lead to relationship problems or depression. Horses also very accurate in offering instant feedbacks by shedding light on a client’s thoughts and feelings even before the therapist and the client are aware of them (Hill, 2006).
Horses also offer a “non-judgemental relationship” with patients. Patients are likely to feel at ease in presence of a horse. Unlike human beings who might be critical or even reject a patient’s appearance and originality (weight, height, race, ethnicity, gender among others); horses are non-judgmental (Trotter, 2012). In this regard I plan to use the horses to help me attend to a more diverse clientele. I also plan to use EAT to help patients with pressing mental problems such as trauma. These patients face great difficulty trusting anyone which makes it hard for them to express their feelings and therefore obtain assistance. Instructing such as patient to spend time with a horse and talk to it aids the person to pent anger, remorse and bitterness that s/he has thereby setting the person on the path to open up to human therapists and obtain assistance.
Conclusion
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is emerging as one of the most effective methods of assisting patients with mental health problems to regain normalcy. The therapy has proved to be beneficial to children, teenagers and adults. It helps people gain self-esteem, self confidence and general mental health. Interaction with horses also helps physicians and therapists to become more sensitive to their client’s needs. Based on these studies I believe that it shall be inevitable for me to use EAT in my career as a therapist. I personally find EAT fascinating and an effective therapeutic method by which I hope to restore the mental health of many of patients throughout my career.
References
Bachi, K., Terkel J, Teichman M. (2012) Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents: the influence on self-image, self-control and trust. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology Psychiatry. 2012 Apr; 17(2): 298-312.
Hill, C. (2006). How to think like a horse: The essential handbook for understanding why horses do what they do. North Adams, MA: Storey Pub.
Kane, B. (2006). Medicine and Horsemanship. A Communication Model for the Doctor-Patient Relationship. MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Spring 2006. Retrieved 10 March 2013 from: - http://horsensei.com/#app=medicine_horses_dr_patient_comm
Krista M. Meinersmann, K., Bradberry, J. & Roberts, B. (2008) Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy with Adult Female Survivors of Abuse. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. December 2008 - Volume 46 · Issue 12: 36-42
Rothe, E., Vega, B., Torres, R., Soler, S. & Pazos, (2004). From Kids and Horses: Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy for Children. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology.
Trotter, K. S. (2012). Harnessing the power of equine assisted counseling: Adding animal assisted therapy to your practice. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
