Equine-Facilitated Learning/Psychotherapy (EFL/P)

Our EFL/P program promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional, and personal goals through the help of one or more equines.  Life skills that can be addressed in EFL/P include decision-making and problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, communicating and interpersonal skills, self-awareness, empathy, and coping with emotions and stress.

EFL/P is an experiential learning approach emphasizing the horse-human interaction that is guided by credentialed professional; activities can be mounted or unmounted and are educational in nature to meet the goals identified by the participants. A licensed therapist or a credentialed educator is present at these sessions or consulted about the sessions. Lessons are unmounted.

EFL/P may be useful for individuals with cognitive or behavioral health needs including:

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Behavioral difficulties
  • Mental illness, such as schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, receptive or language disorders, personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorders
  • Significant life changes such as abuse, environmental trauma, grief and loss, etc.

For more information about Equine-Facilitated Learning/Psychotherapy or to apply, please call 805-364-5206 or email Kristen, [email protected].

Photography by Emily Hart-Roberts

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