EAP at a glance:

• Solution focused -- EAP is a solution focused, experiential model of mental health treatment. Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an experiential model addressing learning goals.

• Providing guidance -- Everyone has the innate ability to solve their own problems. The role of the EAGALA team is to provide guidance that assists the client’s own process and creates lasting solutions.

• No judgment or human interpretation -- Because horses are highly sensitive, clients can work through their life struggles by interacting with the horses without feeling judgment or interpretation by another person.

• No riding involved -- All the work is done on the ground with no riding involved. The horses are equal partners on the team and are left unencumbered to allow them to interact freely with the client.

 

The EAGALA model requires a licensed, credentialed mental health professional and a qualified equine specialist. These professionals structure therapy sessions incorporating horses to effectively address the client’s treatment plan or learning goals, helping with issues such as addiction, domestic abuse, behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma.

 

The EAGALA Model provides an innovative solution that provides a unique space for an emotionally safe, hands-on experience for clients. With real-time feedback, clients are able to address issues where traditional talk-based therapies leave off.

 

Why horses?

• Large and powerful—It’s hard to ignore a horse’s size and presence. Approaching horses helps us reflect how we approach our relationships and how we can face other big or overwhelming things in our lives.

• Herd animals with distinct personalities—Horses are social animals with defined roles within a herd. They have distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. They can be stoic or playful. In other words, horses are a lot like us.

• Intelligent prey animals—To evade predators, horses have evolved to be extremely sensitive to their environment. They instinctively analyze and react to our body language and other nonverbal cues providing valuable feedback and insights for other areas of our lives.

 

Sessions take place at Underwood Farm in Nolensville, TN