An evidence-based therapy used in the mental health treatment of anxiety, depression, addiction, attachment disorders, eating disorders, PTSD, ADHD, OCD and to support behavioural and developmental disorders such as Autism.
Equine Therapy can be booked as individuals, family pairs or families of up to five members. Sessions last for 1 hour and are held weekly.
NO RIDING TAKES PLACE AND NO EXPERIENCE NOR INTEREST IN HORSES IS REQUIRED.
The horses provide a shortcut to our inner worlds, responding in the moment with absolute integrity, by mirroring our intention, energy and body language. They allow emotional and behavioural change to take place free from judgements and expectations.
Treatment programmes are typically shorter than other forms of intervention, with one session's benefits often compared to many months of conventional therapy.
Contact sessions are facilitated by a therapist, an equine specialist and a small herd of horses in an arena or field. The horses are free to respond without the use of ropes, halters or learnt commands enabling them to relate authentically. Unlike hippotherapy, they are not controlled or ridden during any part of treatment.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A SESSION?
"You will be in an open space with two therapists and number of horses who you can choose to interact with in whichever way feels natural, and at a distance of your choosing. The therapists are trained to help you gain insight, interpret and process what happens during the interaction. The horses will simply respond to how you are both in body and mind. If they sense emotional unrest or difficulty, they may mirror it. This all stems from their instinctive need for survival as animal's of prey. If someone is out of kilter, the safety of the entire herd is at stake. This means horses are incredibly sensitive to even the most subtle energetic states of others. The interaction with the horses shows the therapists what the barriers to recovery are which in turn helps the client draw out new ways of thinking and behaving in relation to the problem, without judgement or expectation."
We adhere to a globally recognised model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning (EAGALA.org) which is proven to bring about sustained emotional and behavioural change. In the therapeutic context, the model allows for deep subconscious needs to surface so that the root cause of the disorder or difficulty can be fully seen. From this place of clarity and self awareness new solutions and relief from symptoms can arise with ease, allowing for healing to take place.
Track Clinic Equine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are facilitated, alongside a herd of experienced therapy horses, by an EAGALA Equine Specialist, and one of Track Clinic's Integrative Psychotherapists.
THERAPY FOR CHILDREN
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