Equine Assisted Psychotherapy or EAP, uses metaphor and interaction with horses to help people with their mental health issues. EAP can be used with just about any diagnosis, and at Fresh Steps we mostly help those struggling with the symptoms of:
Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar
Anxiety disorders such as GAD or Generalized Anxiety, post-traumatic stress
Autism and Asperger's
as well as childhood behavioral issues such as oppositionality and defiance
Participants start out meeting in the office to review their needs and goals, as well as fill out some initial paperwork. Then they are introduced to the horses by taking a tour of the facilties. A session may be held in the office if there are things to talk about, or can be in the outdoor arena, indoor arena, or any other area that is useful for a goal. Since sessions are usually outside, come prepared for the weather, and always wear appropriate shoes for being around horses.
In the next session, a horse will be chosen either by the staff or the participant, and they will have time to get to know the horse in the arena. Grooming or petting as well as observing behaviors is encouraged. As sessions progress, new activities will be introduced to help meet treatment goals. When those goals are reached, there is time to check in and either graduate from the program, or come up with a new treatment plan with new goals to be reached.
For both children and adults, families are encouraged to participate, as creating a new environment at home is important for lasting change.
Videos about Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and EAGALA:
- EAGALA Model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy marketing video - two 5 minutes parts on You Tube
- See videos on the UK country page
- Equine therapy on Dr. Phil, Sept. 24, 2010
- Equine-assisted therapy on Dr. Oz, May 12, 2010
- EAGALA for Warriors, Warrior Transition Unit Fort Jackson, Nov. 18, 2010
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Provides a Healing Journey, YNN Rochester News, Sept. 26, 2009
Media Highlights:
11 June 2011: London Telegraph Magazine "Healing Hooves: Troubled children from South Africa's notorious townships are being treated with equine therapy" by Charlie Norton, photographs by Giulio Di Sturco - Story on Montrose Equine Assisted Solutions
May 2011: Savvy Times "Horses Helping Humans in Equine Assisted Practice" by Brenda Dammann - Parelli and EAGALA at Horse Sense of the Carolinas
Early Summer 2010: Southern Seasons - "Helping with Horses: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)" by Dr. Laura Trask - General article about Equine Assisted Psychotherapy published in the largest lifestyle magazine in the Southeast U.S.
August 2009: America's Horse - "Stone Fox Farms: A Healing Place" by MaryAnn Myers - How Quarter Horses are healing people at Stone Fox Farms in Ohio
April/May 2009: Hallmark Magazine - "The Healing Horse" by Jack Chebatoris - How horses helped Kacey Cramer learn to control anorexia (eating disorders)
9 March 2008: The New York Times - "Horse Therapy for the Troubled" by Bill Finley - Youth in residential treatment receiving horse therapy at Horsetime Inc. in New Jersey
Summer 2006: Three Springs Paradigm - "Have you ever played checkers with a horse?" by Kristine Klopp, HBA and Brandy Davis, B.S. - Activities employed by EAGALA model programs, including Three Springs, Inc. Paint Rock Valley outdoor therapeutic program in Alabama.
Jump
to a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ):
Do you offer individual therapy?
How about family therapy?
Do you provide services for groups?
Can you bill my insurance?
Individual
Therapy
There are any number of issues a person may be
faced with in their lives. We all struggle from time to time and need
a new way to get out of our 'rut' ... Fresh Steps EAP offers individual
therapy in Helena, Montana. Individual therapy can be used in conjunction
with family therapy if appropriate. Contact us to discuss
treatment options. We will meet with you in person to go over important
information and documentation as well as get an idea of your needs so
we can develop an individual treatment plan to guide you toward your
personal goals.
Family
Therapy
Do you feel like your family needs some work on communicating? Perhaps
you feel your parents don't hear you, or perhaps you feel your teen
doesn't listen... Fresh Steps EAP also offers family therapy. If you
wish, family therapy can also be broken down into individual
sessions from time to time, so individual family members can work
on more personal issues. Contact
us to discuss treatment options. Family
sessions are held in Helena, Montana at the Fresh Steps facility.
Group
Therapy
Members of the community often come together and discover they are facing
some of the same issues. Single moms, single dads, couples with teens,
victims of domestic violence, those suffering from eating disorders,
or drug or alcohol abuse... these are groups of people who have some
issues in common. Take advantage of the group process by learning together
and processing together. Fresh Steps offers group therapy for this very
reason.
Fresh Steps strives to offer needed groups in
the area. If you are interested in meeting with others, please call
us, new groups are forming each month.
Insurance
Billing
Fresh Steps EAP, Inc. will provide you with the documentation you need to attain reimbursement from you insurance company. Payment is due at the time of service. We
are happy to work out a payment plan for your convenience, if needed.
