EAP from a Gestalt Therapist's Perspective
As a newcomer to the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, I have noticed that basic principles of Gestalt psychology are woven into the fabric of this dynamic approach to human growth and learning.
One of the basic tenets of Gestalt psychotherapy is that every ineffective coping technique, whether acquired during early childhood or later in life, is visible in the way a person approaches life today. The therapist deems that it is not all that important why the client behaves the way he does, but rather, how he relates to the world and reacts with that ineffective behavior. EAP takes place in the present and concentrates on how clients behave toward the horse, or toward one another, while they are participating in the exercises. This experiential, in the moment, is consistent with this basic Gestalt tenet.
Another principle is that a client must work through her issues in a holistic way, that is, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of the problem need to be attended to. When horses are introduced into the therapist-client relationship, the matrix that Gestalt therapists believe fosters personal growth -- the means for physically working through an issue -- is dominant. When the client uses ineffective behavior patterns to get the horse to behave in a way that will accomplish the assigned task, the need for trying new strategies, and co-operating with others becomes apparent. The mental and emotional components of the client's issue surface and are addressed. The energetic bond that develops between client and horse and the attendant increase in self-esteem is rooted in the spiritual component.
A Gestalt-based approach to growth and learning requires full contact between client and therapist. The clinical professional's role is to support the client in a way that lets him figure out how to complete the exercise. So, the client is encouraged to try all methods available to him (providing they are safe and respectful to those involved) to achieve success. My preconceived notion was that I would have lots of time for becoming distracted and bored. This simply was not so. The interaction between client and horse is so evident and ever-changing that I was engrossed in that process from the time we entered the arena until the processing session at the end of the exercise was complete.
As I observed clients interacting with the horses, I realized that the clients were fully engaged with the horses, as well. They were focused on the EAP exercise, aware of where the horses were and how they were behaving, and busy figuring out different strategies to try that would complete the task at hand. The fact that horses can't talk is an important factor because it prohibits clients from escaping into story-telling, one of the more common ways of avoiding contact with the present.
The concept that the behavior a person chooses is done so in an attempt to complete what is called a Gestalt cycle of formation is another Gestalt principle that is evident in EAP sessions. The idea is that personal needs come into a person's foreground of attention, and, once completed, recedes into the background. If this cycle of formation is interrupted at any stage, the person will display the behavior again and again until the cycle is completed. Sometimes the situations are created in an unconscious attempt to be able to find a way to complete the Gestalt. For example, the client who distrusts people often finds himself working with a horse that doesn't trust people. The circumstances provide the opportunity for the client to gain enough trust in himself to be able to show that trust to others. When that happens the Gestalt cycle of formation is complete and trust is no longer an issue for the client and the horse no longer shies or bolts away.
The EAP session is akin to a real-life drama being played out in the here and now. So, the issues that are germane to the client come to the surface and the session is tailored to attend to those needs. In other words, the session is client-centered, again adhering to one of the basic principles of Gestalt psychotherapy.
In conclusion, working in the here and now, paying attention to how the behavior is elicited instead of why it is elicited, addressing all aspects of a problem, fostering full contact, and keeping the client at the center of the therapeutic session all illustrate the Gestalt foundation of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Please note: I alternated gender from one paragraph to another in order to avoid the cumbersome she/he and her/his construction.
Catherine is the therapist in the Winning Strides EAGAL team. She was a presenter at the Third Annual EAGALA Conference in Columbus, Ohio. www.winningstrides.com
Articles of Interest
What it's about: the benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, how it works, and the issues EAP addresses.
Article #2 Title: EAP from a Gestalt Therapist's Perspective by Catherine Johnson
What it's about: the principles of Gestalt therapy that are basis of EAP and their application to the work.
Article #3 Title: EAP at Work in the World by Jeannette Galarneau
What it's about: a camp program for 'at risk' teens and the benefits gained by participants.
Article #4 Title: Safety First on the Ground by Greg Kersten
What it's about: safety tips for being around horses.
Article #5 Title: Straight from the Horse's Mouth: The Truth about Equine-Assisted Therapy by Greg Kersten and Lynn Thomas
What it's about: how EAP began, what happens in an EAP session, the type of clients that can benefit, and the outcomes.
Article #6 Title: Equine Assisted Growth and Learning: Q & A Sheet by Winning Strides
What it's about: Frequently Asked Questions.
Article #7 Title: Why Should Administrators Support EAP? To Sierra Boys Ranch
What it's about: how to pitch EAP to your agency's administration team.
Article #8 Title: Safety or Control by Laurie Messner
What it's about: the controversy about whether or not keeping clients safe is really about too much control.