We invite you … as you are
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) is a form of psychotherapy that takes place in partnership with horses.
Sometimes talking about our experiences is not enough. EFP invites us to explore those experiences in real time through relationship, awareness, and embodied experience.
Working alongside horses can create opportunities to notice patterns, emotions, assumptions, and ways of relating that may be difficult to access through conversation alone.
EFP is not about learning to ride.
It is not about horse training.
It is not about having the right words.
It is an invitation to slow down, become curious, and explore what becomes possible through connection.
People describe EFP settings as:
Focused on awareness rather than “performing correctly”
Calmer and less clinical than an office
More experiential and active
Emotionally intense, at times
A HORSE IS A HORSE
of course, of course
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy views the horse as a sentient partner in the therapeutic process.
The purpose of the horse is to be a horse.
In many ways, that may be one of the greatest gifts they offer us.
The purpose of the horse is not to heal, teach, perform, or provide answers. Their role is to be present, in whatever form that takes.
What emerges from that encounter belongs to the relationship itself.
Horses are highly social animals that form relationships, establish preferences, and live within complex social groups.
They don’t relate like humans; they relate like a horse.
In EFP, the relationship emerges in the space between.
Who can EFP HELP?
EFP may help a wide range of people, especially those who struggle with traditional talk therapy or who benefit from experiential, hands-on approaches.
EFP can be especially useful for you if:
- You feel stuck.
- Words never seem to capture the whole experience.
- Traditional talk therapy has not felt like enough.
- You learn through doing rather than discussing.
- Nature, movement, and relationship help you make sense of your experiences.
NO HORSE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
At Equine Presence we offer an initial 15-minute consultation to discuss if EFP can be helpful for you and require a full intake session prior to engaging in EFP.
What can EFP help with?
EFP IS EVIDENCE-INFORMED
Research suggests some people experience meaningful benefits, but outcomes vary and the scientific evidence is still developing. It is generally considered a complementary therapy rather than a guaranteed treatment.
Current evidence supports benefits with:
- emotional regulation
- self-awareness
- boundaries
- communication
- confidence/self-esteem
- anxiety
- sense of connection / trust
- engagement
PROVIDED BY REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Trained to be able to ensure the treatment modality offered has potential benefit.
Preliminary research suggests EFP has potential benefit.
If at any point, a different treatment modality may be more helpful for you, it will be disclosed and recommended.
YOU CAN DO EFP AND OFFICE-BASED THERAPY
Many people do EFP while also seeing a regular therapist, and in many cases that can work very well.
EFP can be used as:
a complementary therapy
a short-term adjunct
an experiential addition to office-based therapy
In fact, for some clients, that combination is more effective and emotionally manageable than relying on EFP alone. With office therapy helping with insight and verbal processing and EFP helping with experiential/emotional awareness.
The two can complement each other.
Both services can be provided by Dr. Paul at Equine Presence or the traditional sessions with Dr. Paul can be provided in-person in Edmonton, Alberta or virtually.
If you have another provider, as long as the providers know about each other coordination of services can be accomplished. Coordination ensures consistency in approaches, avoiding duplicating work and treatment goal fidelity.
How it works
1
CONTACT US
You will be provided with a free 15-minute telephone consultation to ensure EFP may be appropriate for you.
2
INTAKE QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTAKE SESSION
A non-EFP intake session will be completed. In this session your health professional will obtain learn about you and your hopes for EFP.
3
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO DISCLOSE:
EFP is not ideal for everyone. It may be less appropriate or require extra caution for people with:
- severe animal phobias (especially to horses)
- active psychosis
- uncontrolled violent behavior
- environmental allergies
- severe allergies to horses/hay that cannot be managed with medication
- mobility limitations or balance problems
- major physical instability
- acute psychiatric crisis needing intensive care
- past traumatic experiences with animals
Please ensure to disclose any of these considerations to your therapist in the intake session. We will adjust activities accordingly or tell you if EFP is not a good fit.
4
EFP Approval
Once approved you will be able to schedule your EFP session at your convenience via Dr. Paul’s Jane Electronic Medical System.
INHERENT RISK:
Working with horses always involves some inherent risk because horses are large, powerful prey animals with fast reflexes and unpredictable reactions, even when well-trained and calm.
Even a calm horse can cause injury unintentionally just by moving. They are large, prey animals that are biologically wired to react quickly with fight or flight to perceived threats.
The rules at Equine Presence reduce the risk and help keep you, your therapist and the horses safe.
CONNECT DISCOVER GROW
Equine Presence looks forward to welcoming you.
