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Issues in mental health nursing2002; 23(6); 587-603; doi: 10.1080/01612840290052730

Equine-facilitated group psychotherapy: applications for therapeutic vaulting.

Abstract: In this day of high-tech, managed-care service delivery with an emphasis on medication and brief treatment, it is important for nurses to be aware of nontraditional treatment options that may be uniquely beneficial for some clients. Although it may still be considered a novelty, including animals in the healing milieu is not a new idea. Florence Nightingale herself suggested that "a small pet animal is often an excellent companion for the sick, for long chronic cases especially" (Nightingale, 1969, p. 102). Healing, according to one recent nursing article, can be seen as "a gradual awakening to a deeper sense of the self (and of the self in relation to others) in a way that effects profound change" (Dorsey & Dorsey, 1998, p. 36). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy, while not a new idea, is a little-known experiential intervention that offers the opportunity to achieve this type of awakening. In this article, the reader is introduced to equine-facilitated psychotherapy's theoretical underpinnings, techniques, and outcomes as illustrated by actual clinical vignettes and research findings.
Publication Date: 2002-09-10 PubMed ID: 12217223DOI: 10.1080/01612840290052730Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research focuses on equine-facilitated group psychotherapy, a nontraditional therapy technique involving horses, where it delves into its principles, methodologies, and impacts using case studies and research outcomes.

Theoretical Framework of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy

  • Equine-facilitated psychotherapy serves as an experiential intervention which enables a deeper understanding of the self in relation to others, sparking profound changes. This kind of therapeutic method is traced back to the insights shared by Florence Nightingale, who proposed the significance of animals as companions particularly for chronic cases.
  • This therapeutic approach is explored as an uncommon yet noteworthy alternative to the modern high-technology and controlled-care provision with a concentration on medication and brief treatments.
  • Grounded in the perspective that healing takes place progressively via a deeper self-awareness, this approach allows the chance to realize such awakening through interaction with horses.

Application Techniques in Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy

  • This study proposes a focus on the techniques and application of equine-facilitated psychotherapy. It evaluates how these methods can be uniquely advantageous for certain patients.
  • This therapy involves engagement with horses in a guided environment, where the interaction itself serves as a healing process.
  • The exact application varies on a case-by-case basis, utilizing different strategies to stimulate self-exploration and awareness.

Outcomes of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy

  • The outcomes of equine-facilitated psychotherapy were discussed within this article through the use of clinical vignettes and research findings. The results demonstrated unique benefits and impacts that validates this nontraditional therapy.
  • According to the case studies and research, clients participating in this therapy experienced significant changes in their self-understanding, relationships with others, and overall healing process.
  • The article believes that these outcomes indicate a significant value in equine-facilitated psychotherapy as a treatment choice, specifically for those who have not responded effectively to traditional methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Vidrine M, Owen-Smith P, Faulkner P. (2002). Equine-facilitated group psychotherapy: applications for therapeutic vaulting. Issues Ment Health Nurs, 23(6), 587-603. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840290052730

Publication

ISSN: 0161-2840
NlmUniqueID: 7907126
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 6
Pages: 587-603

Researcher Affiliations

Vidrine, Maureen
  • Department of Behavioral Health, Grady Health System, Atlanta Georgia, USA. maureenfv@worldnet.att.net
Owen-Smith, Patti
    Faulkner, Priscilla

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Attitude to Health
      • Child
      • Child Psychiatry / organization & administration
      • Dance Therapy / organization & administration
      • Gymnastics / psychology
      • Horses / psychology
      • Human-Animal Bond
      • Humans
      • Nurse Clinicians / organization & administration
      • Nurse Clinicians / psychology
      • Nursing Methodology Research
      • Psychiatric Nursing / organization & administration
      • Psychology, Child
      • Psychotherapy, Group / organization & administration

      Citations

      This article has been cited 6 times.
      1. Jung T, Park H, Kwon JY, Sohn S. The Effect of Equine Assisted Learning on Improving Stress, Health, and Coping among Quarantine Control Workers in South Korea.. Healthcare (Basel) 2022 Aug 18;10(8).
        doi: 10.3390/healthcare10081564pubmed: 36011221google scholar: lookup
      2. Törmälehto E, Korkiamäki R. The Potential of Human-Horse Attachment in Creating Favorable Settings for Professional Care: A Study of Adolescents' Visit to a Farm.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 21;10(9).
        doi: 10.3390/ani10091707pubmed: 32967140google scholar: lookup
      3. Carlsson C. Triads in Equine-Assisted Social Work Enhance Therapeutic Relationships with Self-Harming Adolescents.. Clin Soc Work J 2017;45(4):320-331.
        doi: 10.1007/s10615-016-0613-2pubmed: 29187767google scholar: lookup
      4. Saunders J, Parast L, Babey SH, Miles JV. Exploring the differences between pet and non-pet owners: Implications for human-animal interaction research and policy.. PLoS One 2017;12(6):e0179494.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179494pubmed: 28644848google scholar: lookup
      5. Kern-Godal A, Arnevik EA, Walderhaug E, Ravndal E. Substance use disorder treatment retention and completion: a prospective study of horse-assisted therapy (HAT) for young adults.. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2015 Oct 14;10:21.
        doi: 10.1186/s13722-015-0043-4pubmed: 26466788google scholar: lookup
      6. Corring D, Lundberg E, Rudnick A. Therapeutic horseback riding for ACT patients with schizophrenia.. Community Ment Health J 2013 Feb;49(1):121-6.
        doi: 10.1007/s10597-011-9457-ypubmed: 22015959google scholar: lookup