Women's experiences of equine assisted psychotherapy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2016
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Massey University
Abstract
Equine assisted psychotherapy has received little research attention within
psychology. This research explores the way women experience this modality.
Working alongside Renee, an EAP practitioner, from HorsePower Aotearoa and
three of her clients I undertook a photovoice project. Renee participated in both
the planning aspects and as a key participant, informing the research through
her knowledge of EAP in practice. Drawing on photovoice techniques to gather
data with hard to reach groups the information was gathered from participants’
images and their photo elicitation interviews. This allowed the narratives of the
women’s experiences to be communicated on more than one level. The
narratives demonstrated the processes of EAP in action as well as revealing
some of the fundamental attributes that make this therapy efficacious. The
analysis showed that the interrelationships between the therapist, the horses,
the space, the place and the client create a complex ecology. What was
evidenced was that for meaningful change to be made, the clients need to feel
safe to make those changes. EAP seems to provide a space and place that
enables this. The implications of this are the spreading awareness of EAP as an
effective modality especially for clients with previous difficulties engaging with
therapy.
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Keywords
Horses, Therapeutic use, Psychotherapy, Women, Psychology, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Psychology::Applied psychology