Has trauma entered your life, or the life of a loved one?

Responses to traumatic experiences vary depending on the individual and the situation. Two people in the same car accident will experience the potentially traumatic effects of that accident differently. Examples of potentially traumatic events include military combat, witnessing or being the victim of crime or abuse, enduring a natural disaster, and losing a loved one due to death. 

PTSD & Symptoms

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a specific disorder identified by the American Psychiatric Association that includes the following symptoms:

• Persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event
• Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness
• Persistent symptoms of increased arousal
• Symptoms are persistent for at least 1 month
  

Trauma & Symptoms

Many people are suffering with the after effects of traumatic events and do not meet the criterion for PTSD. Symptoms of general trauma include:

• Irritability/Anger Issues
• Changes in sleep patterns/insomnia/excessive tiredness
• Changes in appetite
• Disengagement from social activities
• Tension in personal relationships 
• Children may exhibit agitated or unusual behavior

“[I learned…] how quickly I let my anxiety and fear of emotions send me into ‘shut down’ mode”. –P.W.

How is EAP especially suitable for this population?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy can help individuals, couples, and families to work through the pain of traumatic life experiences. EAP may help clients to find more internal resources than they knew they had, to strengthen coping skills, to practice asking for and receiving help, and to begin to regain a sense of control. Much of the process of EAP is nonverbal, which is especially potent for individuals who have experienced traumatic events that they are not able to express fully in words. For many clients, developing a relationship with a horse is the first step in re-developing positive relationships with friends and loved ones.

"I learned that fear can be overcome by slowly dealing with it in small steady increments.” --J.S.

What kind of EAP is offered at Horse Sense?

We offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy utilizing the EAGALA model. EAGALA (the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Association) is an international organization that provides training and certification in this field, as well as establishes standards of practice, ethics, and safety. Learn more about it at EAGALA.org.

What do I do next?

Call 828-683-7304 to determine if Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is right for you!