Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning: The Human-Equine Relational Development (HERD) Approach offers a hands-on approach to integrating equine-assisted therapy and learning into mental health treatment. Based on the HERD Institute model, the book showcases a series of case studies that cover working with patients with trauma, attachment disorders and depression. Additional case studies show varied approaches to working with families, couples and culturally-diverse populations. Ethical and safety considerations are covered, emphasizing the importance of both human and equine welfare in the equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning model. - Identifies the benefits of equine-facilitated therapy and therapeutic riding - Features case studies of equine-facilitated psychotherapy in different settings - Discusses use of therapy for depression, trauma, attachment disorders and more - Includes use with couples, families, individuals and culturally diverse populations
Equine-Assisted Counseling and Psychotherapy offers a comprehensive guide to the practice of working with equines in a psychotherapeutic setting. Chapters provide a research-informed approach to integrating the contributions of horses and other equines into mental health services. With a focus on equine welfare, the book uses a relational approach to explore a broad range of topics, including documentation and treatment planning, work with clients across the lifespan and with diverse needs, complexities related to horses in the therapeutic relationship, as well as ethical, legal, and best-practice considerations. Mental health and equine professionals will come away from the book with a strong understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of equine-assisted counseling.
The Equine-Assisted Therapy Workbook gives readers the tools they need to increase professional competency and personalize the practical applications of equine-assisted therapy. Each chapter includes thought-provoking ethical questions, hands-on learning activities, self-assessments, practical scenarios, and journal assignments applicable to a diverse group of healthcare professionals. The perfect companion to The Clinical Practice of Equine-Assisted Therapy, this workbook is appropriate for both students and professionals.
The Clinical Practice of Equine-Assisted Therapy bridges theory, research, and practical methods to fill a rapidly developing gap for physical, occupational, speech, and mental health professionals interested in incorporating horses in therapy. Extensively researched and citing over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, it examines core issues such as terminology, scope of practice, competency recommendations, horse care ethics, and clinical practice considerations. This book is an essential resource for professionals who wish to use a best-practices approach to equine-assisted therapy.
Equine Therapy Exposed Real life case studies of equine assisted psychotherapy and equine assisted learning with everyday people and horses In this book you will get a sneak peek and deep dive into the emerging professional practice of equine assisted therapy. This unique, beautifully presented and engaging book provides real life case studies with diverse clients, and delivers insight from one of Australia's leading education experts in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy. Meg Kirby (BA, MASW, DIP. GESTALT THERAPY) is a Mental Health Social Worker of 25 years, and international education expert in equine assisted psychotherapy, author, founder, senior trainer, and supervisor at The Equine Psychotherapy Institute. When Meg is not training students from all across the globe in equine, animal, and nature assisted psychotherapy, she spends her time caring for 12 family herd members, three cats, dog "Bear," and rabbit, Darcy... not forgetting her loving husband and two beautiful daughters, Rose and Jasmine. Meg lives and breathes the wisdom of animals and nature. PRAISE FOR EQUINE THERAPY EXPOSED "Meg Kirby's Equine Therapy Exposed is an outstanding book...the case studies are rich and varied...this text is (also) a fantastic resource for integrating psychotherapy with a range of somatic and nature-based therapies, not just equine therapy." Melissa O'Shea, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Academic and Yoga Teacher, Master of Clinical Leadership (MCL), Deakin University "A dynamic and valuable book...filled with tremendous insights and practical suggestions...immensely helpful to professionals attempting to work alongside horses to support their clients' wellbeing." Aubrey H. Fine, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, CA Poly State University, Licensed Psychologist, Editor of The Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy "Meg Kirby takes a significant and meaningful step in the advancement of the professionalization of the fields of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine-Assisted Learning...the case studies splendidly help the reader understand both the depth and the processes that can be achieved in psychotherapy and in learning, with the help of the integration of equines." Nancy Parish-Plass, MA Social Work and Certified in Advanced Psychotherapy Studies, Founding and Current Chairperson of IAAAP Israeli Association of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy "This book beautifully illustrates the power and effectiveness of the EAP/EAL process." Joan Rieger, MA, LPC Director of the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies & Gestalt Equine Psychotherapist "Thorough elucidation of therapeutic processes when animals are involved remains relatively uncommon in the literature. Brava to Meg Kirby and contributors for creating this most helpful exploration of just that!" Risë VanFleet, PhD, RPT_S, CDBC, CAEBC/I Coauthor with Tracie Faa-Thompson of the award-winning Animal Assisted Play Therapy Principal, International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy "If you are interested in how to work relationally with horses in a psychotherapy and learning context...the AWARE Therapy(TM) model provides a clear framework for practitioners...(and) showcases the adaptability of the approach to a wide range of client populations." Veronica Lac, Ph D Executive Director The HERD Institute(R), USA
Equine assisted psychotherapy is a professional, innovative, and experiential approach to counseling, psychotherapy, and mental health that supports clients of all ages with horses as assistants and co-facilitators in the process. Meg Kirby’s book has made a significant contribution to the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), in articulating a Model of EAP that has foundation in psychological theory, therapeutic technique, accountable professional integrity, and utmost respect for our animal counterparts. A much needed contribution for the field, globally. Melissa Johnstone, Psychologist Meg Kirby’s insight and ability to integrate psychotherapy theory and practice closes ‘the gap’ (the fields’ current deficit or ‘gap’ in rigorous theoretical underpinnings), and provides a comprehensive relational psychotherapy model for working with horses to support clients. In line with best practice therapy, this book offers an introduction to an ethical equine assisted psychotherapy model, and is an ‘appetiser’ for curious mental health practitioners, students and the global community interested in professional animal assisted practice.Naomi Rossthorn, Counsellor and Researcher The Equine Assisted Therapy movement we’re all so passionate about will benefit from Meg Kirby’s strong theoretical approach that is firmly grounded in psychotherapy practice, and has a uniquely Australian modelling and voice.Dr Anna Cohen, Clinical Psychologist and Author
This book provides an overview of the field of Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning and gives a powerful account of a research study charting the experiences of seven 'at-risk' young people attending a pioneering Therapeutic Horsemanship centre in the UK. The book includes a foreword from Leif Hallberg, author of Walking the Way of the Horse .
Clinicians have long recognized that trauma therapy provides a pathway to recovery, and Equine-Assisted Mental Health for Healing Trauma provides that pathway for those who work with horses and clients together. This book demonstrates a range of equine-assisted mental health approaches and step-by-step strategies for facilitating recovery from trauma for children, adults, and families. Chapters address topics such as chronic childhood trauma, accident-related trauma, complex trauma and dissociation, posttraumatic growth in combat veterans, somatic experiencing and attachment, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), reactive attachment disorder (RAD), relational trauma, and sexual trauma. Experts also provide case studies accompanied by transcript analyses to demonstrate the process of trauma healing. Clinicians will come away from the book with a wealth of theoretical and practical skills and an in-depth, trauma-informed understanding that they can use directly in their work with clients.
