Animal Assisted Psychotherapy and EAP
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a type of Animal Assisted Therapy. Our mental health team consists of horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, dogs, a licensed mental health practitioner and an experienced equine practitioner. We respect our equines and animals as our co-therapists and are grateful to have them as part of our therapy endeavors. The work takes place in the arena on the ground (no riding). Sessions are structured according to the needs of the client and the clinicians’ knowledge of the patient, clinical style and clinical judgement.
EAP is a part of the Eco-psychotherapy community that believes that “nature” and natural settings are great facilitators for well-being. Spending time outside in nature is becoming a more rare experience for children and adults. Our experience at Denim ‘n Dirt, along with some research, confirms to us that our “green” animal assisted approach to psychotherapy or personal emotional growth facilitates self-awareness and at the same time helps people work through difficult emotional issues. While we do not subscribe to a behavioral problem solution orientation, we see lifts in depression and the acquisition of life giving skills in our EAP/EAPEG work.
EAP is a combination of several well known and validated psychological theories and approaches to healing: Eco-psychotherapy, Talk Therapy, Experiential Psychotherapy and Animal Assisted Therapy. Much of the work is based on client associations, projections and metaphor. In some ways, we interpret these sessions similarly as we interpret our dreams — our animals serve as symbolic representations embedded in our psyches. In addition to these foundational clinical theories, each Mental Health Clinician brings his/her own theory of human development, healing and clinical style.
The efficacy of play has been a recent focus for mental health researchers. The verdict is that play is essential for both children and adult development! EAP is like a large sand box with human and animal figures! Clients find EAP to be fun and meaningful. Play and fun is a great start to emotional growth and healing.
Our Animals and Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a central core of our workshops as we believe that mindful living is an important frame of reference for all psychotherapy endeavors. Denim ‘n Dirt’s natural outdoor setting includes a quiet peaceful space which is greatly enhanced by our animals. Our horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, and dogs epitomize “mindfulness” and “authenticity” as they know NO other way! Mindfulness and living an “authentic” life is always a main therapeutic goal.
Animal Assisted Personal/Emotional Growth (EAPEG)
Equine Assisted Personal Growth (EAPEG) is also an experience working with horses and animals on the ground (no riding). Rather than participating for specific mental health issues, Personal Emotional Growth is an experience more oriented toward self development, mindfulness, spirituality, learning, team building, and leadership skills.
Whether you are experiencing interpersonal problems, depression, grief, life adjustments, anxiety or desire to experience more personal/professional development, at Denim ‘n Dirt Ranch, we specialize in designing sessions based on our clients’ needs and goals.
Once the client arrives, they have opportunity to:
- Identify specific personal (or work) issues/dilemmas
- Apply creative thinking, feeling and problem solving in a physically active way
- Gain insight into how they currently approach challenges
- Observe current familial dynamics
- See where they are stuck
- Have the opportunity to experiment with new ways to approach challenges
- Increase emotional IQ
- Gain confidence and reduce fear
- Experience soulful soothing and meaning
- Decrease anxiety and depression
- Grieve
- Experience team work and become aware of team or family dynamics
- Experience meditation in nature
- Attune to nature / soul enriching
- Become more mindful and ultimately experience greater emotional health
The Denim ‘n Dirt Model: Porch Time
The Denim ‘n Dirt model includes PORCH TIME which is essentially the talk therapy part of the session. Talk therapy can also be part of the session process throughout the animal-assisted part of the session as well. As we interact on the porch with the clients, we also visually check to see what the horses and animals are doing. Sometimes, depending on client needs, porch time can encompass the entire therapy hour. Other times, we are in the arena participating in ways that meet the client’s clinical needs and goals.
We do not consider our DnD model to be solution oriented. We recognize that psychotherapy is a complex endeavor focusing on complex problems. The relationship with the human therapists and our animal co-therapists — horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, and dogs — will have a great influence on the outcome of the therapy or personal emotional growth endeavors.
EAP is an excellent modality for all people of all ages, including those experiencing:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Relationship Difficulties
- Eating Disorders
- Aspergers
- Autism
- ADD
- Addictions
- Post Traumatic Stress
- Creative Blocks
- Emotional Skill Building – Increasing Emotional IQ
- Self Care
- Mindfulness Training
- Business Challenges, Staff Development, Team Building and Leadership Development
- Spiritual Retreats
- Family Therapy
- Couples Therapy
“I learned that when my brother won’t get off my bed, to go and tell my parents.”
— J, age 7 · The Center for Mindful Living, Los Angeles
