For clients with Autism and Asperger’s Related Disorders, the focus of an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) session is on building skills and increasing communication through teaching horsemanship skills with EAP techniques. Traditional horsemanship teaches clients how to groom, tack, feed and ride horses. EAP involves activities with the horses which will change behaviors, patterns, reflection and metaphors.
Activities focus on:
Communication Patterns- Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Problem Solving
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
Improving Healthy Relationships
Increasing Tolerance for Transitions
Decreasing Aggression
Compliance
Social Reciprocity
Children, adolescents and adults can benefit from EAP. Horses are strong, empathic and mirror our feelings and behaviors. The horses engage clients in the outside world, decreasing time spent with repetitive behaviors and speech. Interactions with the horses helps increase frustration tolerance and builds connections with others. Therapy sessions are designed to meet client’s where they are developmentally and are strength-based.
Family therapy focuses on building healthy communication styles, promoting growth and change which benefits both the individuals and the family as a whole. Siblings and parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders can also benefit from EAP. Family services focus on supporting the needs of the caregiver, including stress management.
