Off the couch and into the corral
High River Times, news contributor
May 27, 2003
A new approach to counseling called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is striding into the area, using horses to help people overcome emotional and psychological challenges.
Greg Kersten and Lynn Thomas of Equine Services in Utah have developed techniques to help people become stronger in communication, team building, problem solving, self-confidence, conflict resolution and relationships. The techniques use a team of horse professionals and mental health care professionals.
Kersten and Thomas founded the non-profit Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) and held a three day Level 1 certification training hosted by Winning Strides May 22 to 24 northeast of High River.
Laurie Messner, co-founder of Winning Strides and certified EAP practitioner, said the goal of EAP is personal growth, awareness, and changing old behaviour patterns. Messner's partner, Cathie Johnson, of High River, is a certified psychotherapist.
"As people interact with the horses in various activities, we are able to get a glimpse of moments in people's lives where they're not able to work out their own problems," said Messner. "We're trying to tap into that special relationship that people can have with horses. Many of the people doing this therapy may not have riding experience." Forty-five participants in the training weekend came from four states and six provinces to become certified.
Messner said EAP is less threatening than therapy and is Gestalt-based, which is a form of psychotherapy.
"Clients are encouraged to discover more about who they are and understand themselves better," said Messner. "I think it's a growing field. We would like this to become recognized in Nanton and southern Alberta as a very viable alternative therapy."
She said they have clients who are at a stalemate sent to them from therapists in the city. "We have two youth groups right now in Nanton called Winning with Horses programs," said Messner, adding the youth range in age from 10 to 14. "The kids are there to learn bonding, self-confidence, self-esteem, communication, and how to work with each other."
For more information on Winning Strides, contact Laurie Messner at 646-2345 or visit www.winningstrides.com For more information about EAP and EAGALA call 801-667-2191 or visit www.eagala.org
