Horse Healing: Equine Therapy for ED Recovery
Equine Therapy and Eating Disorder Treatment
Equine therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes horses as a tool to help people to better understand themselves, helping them to grow and recover.
What is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy, also known as equestrian therapy and horse therapy, is a form of alternative mental health treatment that utilizes the human-horse relationship as a tool. This form of psychotherapy involves interaction with equines on a daily basis, helping to foster the following feelings:
- Confidence
- Responsibility
- Assertiveness
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Self-control
- Trust
- Flexibility
- Patience
How Equine Therapy Helps in the Recovery Process
For those living with eating disorders, it is common to display fear of losing control, rigid thinking, and perfectionism. With the introduction of equine therapy, it can directly address these ideals, allowing the person to let go of their obsession with control and foster feelings of patience and understanding.
Because horses and other equines are prey animals, they are intuitive and sensitive to feelings of anxiety as a way to protect themselves. When they are met with an anxious person or are being led by force, they can become stubborn and standoffish. It takes time, effort, and patience to understand that you cannot control them—allowing the affected person to apply these same lessons to their personal life.
Caring for equines also teaches the ideals of flexibility and adaptability, letting clients understand that they can’t always be in control and that it’s okay to go with the flow of life rather than being hung up on every little detail.
Along with other, more traditional, forms of treatment—equine therapy can help those recovering from eating disorders to maximize the long-lasting effects of treatment.
Eating Disorder Treatment in North Carolina
At Tapestry, our treatment programs are designed to provide our clients with individualized care while acknowledging their unique life experiences. Our staff members are also dedicated to understanding and treating our clients as whole people.
Whether you have questions about eating disorders or how to support a loved one struggling with an eating disorder, we are here for you. Contact us today by filling out a confidential form or give us a call at (828) 490-4032.
