Many studies have shown that utilizing horses in the therapy process helps to increase client self-awareness. This form of therapy allows clients to find solutions to their own problems by providing opportunities to parallel their experiences with the horses to situations on their own lives. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy uses a team of professionals working alongside horses to help people struggling with a variety of issues including, but not limited to, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma/abuse, and marriage or family issues as well as issues related to adoption and/or foster care. HOPE Springs is a non-profit 501(c)3 ministry. Our team is trained and certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), which is the leading international non-profit association for professionals using equine therapy to address mental health and human development needs. The EAGALA model holds its professionals to a very high standard of practice and the client’s physical and emotional safety is always of utmost importance. What is The EAGALA Model? The Team Approach – An Equine Specialist, a Mental Health professional, and horses work together with clients in all EAGALA sessions. Focus on the ground – No horseback riding is involved. Instead, effective and deliberate techniques are utilized where the horses are metaphors in specific ground-based experiences. Solution-Oriented – The basis of the EAGALA Model is a belief that all clients have the best solutions for themselves when given the opportunity to discover them. Rather than instructing or directing solutions, we allow our clients to experiment, problem-solve, take risks, employ creativity, and find their own solutions that work best for them. Code of Ethics - EAGALA has high standards of practice and ethics and an ethics committee and protocol for upholding these standards, ensuring best practices and the highest level of care. (www.eagala.org)
Hours vary, but are by appointment only for confidentiality purposes. Please contact us for additional information.
