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Frequently Asked Questions
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What difference does it make to have board members with lived experience of mental health difficulties?
Our board members have been through what you are going through, so truly understand. They also have first hand experience of using services so know what works and most importantly what doesn't.
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What is Equine Therapy and isn't it all the same?
Equine Therapy is used as such a broad term for working with horses to support people struggling with their mental health. This can be confusing for people to determine what to choose and if it is the right fit for them or not. Equine Therapy ranges from therapeutic riding, stroking/ being with horses and Hippotherapy. To keep things simple we will speak about what we do. We offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy , this involves creating a space to allow clients to come up with their own solutions, also known as a solution orientated approach.
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Do you ride horses in sessions?
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No riding is involved. We find this suits those clients who have not previously been around horses, and offers the most authentic interaction with horses. Our treatment team facilitate sessions using the EAGALA model whose model of facilitating sessions we are trained to follow. They have strict code of ethics, we abide by, and have an ethics board we are accountable to. To see a copy of their code of ethics, please contact us.
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What is the EAGALA model?
It is a team approach that includes a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and horses working together with the client in an arena/ field at all times. All the work is done on the ground with the horses front and centre, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with the client as they wish. This creates the space for the client, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.
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Trained treatment team?
The accredited therapist and experienced equine specialist have specialised experienced in mental health and horse psychology/ behaviour respectively. They are continually doing CPD (Continuous Personal
Development) to further their knowledge to ensure we offer the highest quality of service to our clients.
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Who are we accountable to for ethics and professionalism?
We are accountable to EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association www.eagala.org), and BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
www.bacp.co.uk)
EAGALA is a client centred, solution orientated and evidence driven established in 1999. The most established and evidence based Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and personal development model
BACP is to promote and provide education and training for counsellors and psychotherapists, and to inform and educate the public about the contribution that the counselling professions can make
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Why does there need to be 2 facilitators for a session?
It is to manage the safety of clients. Two facilitators to keep an on eye on client(s) is imperative; if a client was to experience strong emotions this may have a negative effect on the horses, and if the horses get distressed this may have a negative effect on the client. Having the accredited therapist to manage the wellbeing on the client, and the experienced equine specialist managing the wellbeing of the horses is essential, to ensure the safety of all
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What are risk assessments?