I am thrilled to announce that Your New Beginnings Counselling will be offering Equine Assisted Psychotherapy starting in 2026. This innovative therapeutic approach incorporates the healing power of horses to support clients in their personal growth and emotional wellbeing. .
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy starting in 2026
I am honored to have been accepted into The Equine Psychotherapy Institute, where I will undertake formal training and obtain certification in this highly regarded modality over the course of 2025. Stay tuned for updates, including a full introduction to our wonderful equine partners, Wells and Gambler, (pictured below). We look forward to sharing their stories and the unique roles they will play in this transformative therapeutic journey. Details on advanced bookings will also be announced as we move closer to offering this innovative service. I have provided some information below about The Equine Psychotherapy Institute and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy:
The Equine Psychotherapy Institute (EPI)
The EPI Model - A Psychotherapy Model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy & Equine Assisted Learning
The Equine Psychotherapy Institute Model EAP is a professional, innovative and experiential approach to counselling, psychotherapy, and mental health that supports clients of all ages in addressing therapeutic goals (emotional, cognitive, behavioural, relational and spiritual issues, and mental health conditions), with horses as assistants, co-facilitators and teachers in this process.
EAP is a form of Animal Assisted Psychotherapy/Therapy (that developed in the 1960’s). EAP, as a unique methodology, came into being in the 1990’s. It is a form of Psychotherapy/Therapy, and thus, should be offered by registered counsellors, psychotherapists or mental health practitioners only.
In EAP, clients are offered safe experiences with horses for the purpose of exploring self-experience, exploring experience in relationship, building self-awareness, building awareness of patterns / habits that are no-longer serving clients well, psychological healing and addressing clinical or therapeutic goals clients have identified or agreed to. The Institute programs are Based on AWARE Therapy (TM) which includes a theory of change and practice methodology developed by Meg Kirby as a specialist equine, animal, and nature assisted therapy approach.
What are the benefits of EAP?
Thus, it is a combination of the evocative and reflecting capacities of the horses, the natural connecting and healing presence of the horses and the natural environment, and the skills of the experienced psychotherapists or mental health practitioners that together weave the opportunities for growth in experience and reflection
What happens in EAP sessions??
Sessions occur in a safe and natural environment, such as a paddock, ménage, round-yard or barn with a Trained and Certified EAP practitioner. There may be one or many horses participating in the session.
After an initial check-in and initial assessment of the client’s needs and issues, the client is offered a relational experience with the horse/s that is specific to the needs /issues presented. The client is offered some clear guidelines about the process, the horses, and supported in ways that are appropriate.
The EPI Model works with relational horse experiences, including horse observations, meeting horses at liberty, ground/lead line sessions, herd sessions, led mounted sessions, and riding sessions.
These experiences with horses are offered to clients, given the unique needs, goals and wants of the client, and the wants and feelings of the horse.
