Independent Study

Independent Study

• Research Plan and Data
  1. The research problem that I will be addressing is the impact that equine psychotherapy has on patients. I haven chose this issue because equine therapy is something that I am very passionate about. However, this specific subsection, equine psychotherapy, has little efficacy backing it. This is a problem seeing as there are many nonprofits out there who specialize in this kind of therapy. It can affect their funding, outreach, and credibility to constituents.
  2. Research Question: What is the impact that equine assisted psychotherapy has on the patients involved?

Hypothesis: Equine psychotherapy provides a positive influence on a patient’s emotional state.

Hypothesis:  Equine psychotherapy provides a positive influence on a patient’s ability to communicate their emotions

Hypothesis: Equine psychotherapy provides a positive influence on the patient’s ability to understand their own emotions, and work towards healing the scars that cause these emotions.

The goal of this project is to provide some research to help nonprofits provide tangible evidence for donors and constituents on the efficacy of their practice. Since there is so little, many people question whether or not this kind of therapy works or not. Many constituents want to know that their time and money is being well spent. This research project can help work towards providing a name for equine psychotherapy rooted in data.

1. The theoretical perspectives I plan to use are Attachment theory and Gestalt theory. Both of these theories look at the psychological explanation as to why this type of therapy works. I plan to draw on the little bit of literature that has been written on equine psychotherapy, as well as the well-established psychological theories that is used within equine psychotherapy.
2. Create my own
3. Next Page

Annotated Bibliography

• Bachi, K. (2013). “Application of Attachment Theory to Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy.” J ContempPsychother 43, 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-013-9232-1https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10879-013-9232-1#citeas
  1. This paper written by Bachi looks at some of the psychology behind equine therapy, specifically the role at attachment theory. His work delves into the psychotherapy of equine assisted therapy, and why it works according to different psychological theories and practices. This paper published in 2013 by the Journal of contemporary psychotherapy helps to understand some of the psychological basis as to why equine assisted therapy works. Although it is not a full-blown study, this paper can help me to build a solid basis of explaining the psychological benefits that are already more well-known and renowned. These same benefits are used in other types of therapy, and already have more of a solid concrete backing the EAT lacks.
• Bachi, K., & Parish-Plass, N. (2017). Animal-assisted psychotherapy: A unique relational therapy for children and adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 22(1), 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104516672549
  1. This article looks at the different variations and uses of animal therapy as a whole. It gives different examples of studies involving different types of animals and patients. Animal assisted therapy has more evidence and efficacy than that of equine therapy. Most animal assisted therapy programs use dogs. However, the same concepts that apply to dogs can be applied with horses as well. This will help create a base of rooted, proven therapies to build upon and relate to equine psychotherapy.
• Bachi K, Terkel J, Teichman M. Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents: The influence on self-image, self-control and trust. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2012;17(2):298-312. doi:10.1177/1359104511404177. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1359104511404177?casa_token=qB9s9XU3wSwAAAAA%3ABhsqltlAP6HEjNv5qt36-CGX1H2rjOzOkRvWyEkavK3C21dbKnyMEDXnW8U_e3YFjO-W29YR8796xw
  1. This article published by Sage journals looks at a study that uses an experimental and control group over the course of 7 months. Each experimental patient received a weekly individual equine facilitated psychotherapy program session over a period of seven months. Their results are of a positive change in those in the experimental group versus the control group. This study would be useful to my thesis because it provides data and a long-term study that are few and far between in the equine assisted therapy world. Although it is only conducted at one area, it still gives steppingstones for building more literature in the mental health therapy world involving horses.
• Boyd, Kelly J., “The language of equus: exploring equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) using the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) model” (2013). Master’s Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA. https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/587
  2013. This article by Boyd dives into the newer world of equine assisted therapy. It tries to provide more insight as to the growing therapeutic phenomenon by interviewing those within the field. This thesis was done by a master’s student at Smith college. It was approved by a committee, and further guided by an advisor. It was published in 2013. I believe this resource is a solid base, because the author identified the need for study in this area, and the further study that needs to be done after. I think that this is a good example to look at when forming my master’s thesis. It shows her questionnaires from her study that could be a good start to helping me think of questions to ask during my interview and further study the gaps that she found in her thesis.
• Brandt, C. (2013). “Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy as a Complementary Treatment Intervention.” The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology 23 Volume 2. https://sdpsych.org/resources/Documents/Sievert_Handout_Equine%20as%20Complementary%20Therapy%20Article.pdf
  1. This shorter article by Brandt gives a run-down of the different types of equine facilitated therapy, the certifications that are offered, and the beginning steps of equine therapy. It does not have a pilot study or experiment. It is more of a literature review to have a common source of information involving different types of equine assisted therapy. However, it does have a lot of good information on the different types of certifications that are used in this therapy. Some of these certifications I have never even heard of. This will help to further my knowledge and give me more resources to expand my literature for this thesis.
• Gerkhe, E. K. (2010). The horse-human heart connection: Results of studies using heart rate variability. NAHRA’s Strides, Spring, 20-23. Retrieved from http://isar.dk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Dr_Kaye_Article.pdf
  1. This fascinating pilot study by Dr. Ellen Gerkhe looks at heart rate variability between horses and humans. HRV is a way to view emotions through heartbeat. In this article, Dr. Gerkhe shows how horses react to human emotion and heartbeat, and how so often a horse’s emotions match your own. This is a new scientific, quantitative way to help further the efficacy of equine assisted therapy. As a professor in community health, a director of a master’s program, and a horse woman, I believe that this article will give insight into some more quantitative measures that could be pursued in my research and future research.
• Kirby, Meg. (2016). An Introduction to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: Principles, Theory, and Practice of The Equine Psychotherapy Institute Model.” https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=aWRkCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT5&dq=equine+psychotherapy+theory&ots=tDBWQM3OKB&sig=42L91ccNPvsboeykJIhAFk8m11Y#v=onepage&q=equine%20psychotherapy%20theory&f=false
  1. This book goes deep into the literature of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. The author, Meg Kirby, realized that there was little to no research on the tools and assessment of equine assisted psychotherapy. There was also a lack of formal training for those looking to go specifically into psychotherapy. Kirby made it her mission to study in order to help work towards a true psychotherapy model and a pathway for future equine therapist to learn. The group who worked towards this book and practice are professionally trained in different counseling, mental health therapies, and psychotherapies. They specialize. In Gestalt Therapy. This specific therapy came up in many of the readings that I found. They now have an institute that has trained over 100 people in four years. This book will be helpful to answer some questions that may have been made in some of the other studies that I will be researching.
• Masini, A. (2010). “Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Clinical Practice.” Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 2010;48(10):30-34. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20100831-08
  1. This article provides an overview of Equine assisted Psychotherapy. It looks from the historical perspective of this therapy (however brief) and include many definitions, and relevant literature. It also discusses the benefits of the approach from different studies and self-reports. This was one of the most comprehensive articles I could find looking at equine psychotherapy. It was published into the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services in 2010, and is written by a doctor who is also certified in Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) Level II Certification.
• McNamara, J. (2017). “Equine Facilitated Therapy for Children and Adolescents: A Qualitative Pilot Study, Journal of Creativity in Mental Health.” 12:4, 412-427, DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2017.1340215.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15401383.2017.1340215?casa_token=QZGWUeQ8btMAAAAA%3AVvBnz-Lwy3KuolVocXYvrOSS2szhL-KbadelgVZYrW8jBk3dkirJ6G1VJVIJCKw8gefGAM5xlDdaOQ

1. This pilot study presented by Josephine McNamara explores equine assisted therapy from different Australian clinics. It dives into the theoretical side of implementation in order to see what is missing. In this study, the author noticed some themes that were in the clinics that gave some cause for concern. She noticed that there was not enough consistency throughout the practices in order to have these clinics reach their most potential and provide the data to truly back up equine assisted therapy. It has been published by a journal that looks at new and creative ways to aid with the mental health crises that we have been seeing in today’s world. I believe that this journal is a good opportunity to look at the gaps in studies to help form my questions. These questions will hopefully be able to add to the discussions of the EAT world.

• Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P.(2011). “Pet in the therapy room: An attachment perspective on Animal-Assisted Therapy, Attachment & Human Development.” 13:6, 541-561, DOI: 1080/14616734.2011.608987

https://www.tandfonline.com/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1080%2F14616734.2011.608987

1. This clinical study looks at the basis of Animal assisted therapy and psychotherapy from a psychological perspective. Attachment theory is used to provide insight on the relationships between humans and animals, and how using animals in therapy can help develop patterns of attachment. These patterns can help those receiving the therapy a healthier sense and ability to relating to others and themselves. Although it is not directly looking at equine therapy, the same basis of equine therapy comes from the general idea of animal assisted therapy.