Equine Assisted Therapy

Children and young people looked after by Inspire Children’s Services will undertake an initial six week assessment in order to provide us with a sound understanding of their needs while ensuring a child centered approach.  Throughout this initial period and beyond, each young person has access to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) as appropriate.

We have a team of four Equines and three Eagala certified facilitators who work exclusively with the young people within Inspire Children’s Services and their families, to deliver specifically designed programmes.  Decisions on a child’s involvement are made on a multi diciplinary basis which includes the child’s views and thereafter any intervention is clearly outlined in the Child’s Plan.

EAP is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning.  EAP is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional and because of its intensity and effectiveness is considered a short-term or brief approach.

EAP is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses and then processing feelings, behaviours, and recurring patterns.  Examples of the tools and approaches utilised by EAP include nonverbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking, problem-solving, leadership; taking responsibility, teamwork and relationship building. EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach which has a positive impact on individuals, families and groups and can address a variety of emotional and behavoural issues.

Theraputic work with horses creates a natural opportunity to overcome fear and develop confidence and provides significant opportunities for metaphorical learning, which is an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.