Bridges at Worthmore

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an experiential form of psychotherapy where horses are involved in the sessions. “Experiential” means that you will be involved in hands-on experiences with the horses designed to reflect things going on in your life. The process is not always about interacting with the treatment team, although that will happen at times, but is about providing you the opportunity to experience, explore, problem-solve, discover, be creative, gain insight and experience practical applications of what you are learning in the moment. The process is about “doing” along with the “talking.”

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Sessions are conducted by a facilitating team (treatment team) of a Licensed Mental Health Professional (MH) and a qualified Equine Specialist (ES) in all your sessions.  These professionals are EAGALA and/or PATH Certified which means completion of specialized training in this model, requirements of ongoing continuing education and adherence to high standards of professionalism and practice. While both members of the team are involved in your therapy process, the role of the ES is to oversee physical safety needs and provide observations on the behaviors of the horses.  The MH is there to oversee the psychotherapy process and help you make the parallels of the horse observations to your therapy goals and life. 

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Please note there is a difference between PATH EAP and EAGALA EAP.  While Path may be mounted EAGALA is unmounted, meaning that there is no riding and all activities are done on the ground. Please express this to potential referrals as we want to avoid any confusions in advanced. As we all know, when people think horses, they automatically think riding. Also, no horse experience is necessary.