What is equine assisted psychotherapy and why is it so effective for superior wellness recovery, mental health improvements and personal development? Dr Anja Kriegeskotten explains the benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy:
What is equine assisted psychotherapy and why is it so effective for superior wellness recovery, mental health improvements and personal development?
Dr Anja Kriegeskotten FRANZCP, part of the therapeutic team at The Banyans Health and Wellness Residence, explains the benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy:
“Horses have finely tuned senses such as hearing, smell and touch. Their senses are so acute that they can even sense the aggression of a predator lurking in the bushes. In a herd, horses sense each other’s feelings and naturally mirror this to each other via body language. This helps the survival of the herd.
Horses can also sense our emotional state, even when we are not aware of it. This natural ability of horses is used by introducing a person or a small group of people to a small herd of horses. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is not about horsemanship or dominating the horses nor about riding, but about becoming a guest member of the herd.
Horses will then naturally reflect to the person what is going on for that person emotionally at this time. The experience occurs without words and therefore there is no risk of miscommunication via spoken language. This is very effective. Dr Anja can help guests make sense of this experience.
Emotions that lie under the surface tend to bother us more than the ones we are aware of and can work through. When horses in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy reflect our feelings to us, it brings our subconscious emotions to the surface and we can think them through, make sense of them and file them into memory. They then don’t bother us so much anymore.
Studies have shown that Equine Assisted Psychotherapy can often help people in less sessions than traditional in office therapies.
The person relates to horses rather than people, which can be easier for some people particularly those who have experienced interpersonal trauma.”
Designed for integrated restoration, and with an expert team of therapists, health practitioners and wellness coaches, The Banyans is a place where body and soul prosper in an environment of rest, wellness and inspired living.
Call us now on 1300 BANYAN (1300 226 926) or complete a digital enquiry form for a confidential discussion about how you or someone you care about can benefit from The Banyans.
