Equine Assisted Learning
Equine Assisted Learning
Rachel Pray
Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy share the essential element of experiential, accelerated learning and personal growth. Imagine accomplishing more in a few sessions than could be achieved in months of traditional therapy or life coaching!
Equine Assisted Learning, or EAL, is groundwork-centered, interactive learning in the dynamic presence of horses. Unlike horseback riding instruction or therapeutic riding, EAL takes place on the ground, and emphasizes the non-verbal relationship between horse and human. Participants are encouraged to closely observe and interact with the horse, in order to understand and challenge their own assumptions and habits. EAL can improve self-confidence and social skills, help us to become congruent in mind and body, and shed light on our unconscious feelings and behaviors. Equine Assisted Learning can unblock creativity, non-threateningly reveal the key to resolving crisis in our lives and relationships, and help to illuminate the path forward. EAL sessions are facilitated by an Equine Specialist and designed, with the client, in a collaborative, individualized process.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, or EAP, is a nationally recognized field that complements and accelerates traditional mental health counseling. Because of its intensity and effectiveness, EAP is a short-term approach, and can be a wonderful addition or alternative to traditional talk therapy. EAP is incredibly effective for identifying sources of trauma, and for increasing the accuracy of assessments and the focus of treatment plans. Perhaps most remarkable is the potential to restore a client’s sense of emotional balance and congruency in relatively few sessions. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy can be used as a powerful tool for treatment of attention deficit disorder, substance abuse issues, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and low self-esteem. Interacting with horses — dynamic and inspiring living beings — adds metaphoric and reflective strength to conventional therapy, and creates a non-threatening environment for revealing and accepting the authentic self.
Rachel Pray is a Certified Equine Specialist with over thirty years of horse experience. She has trained with Greg Kersten (OK Corral), Paul Striberry (Conscious Riding), Susannah Kellogg (Natural Horsemanship), and many others. Rachel has a B.A. in Environmental Studies, and an M.A. in English/Creative Writing. She’s worked as an Audubon Society Naturalist, a Literacy and Language Arts Tutor, Health Clinic Advocate, Community Radio Producer and co-host, and Women’s Self-Defense instructor. Rachel is a published poet and photographer, a mother, Buddhist meditation practitioner, women’s and gay & lesbian rights activist, and life-long feminist.
Rachel also does dog training and can be contacted for that here – http://rachelpray.blogspot.com
Rachel Pray, M. A.
Certified Equine Specialist
Pray Equine Services
www.prayequineservices.com
info@prayequineservices.com
(323) 663-1085
(818) 319-6400
Tags: accelerated learning, ADD, ADHD, alternative health, alternative medicine, animal therapy, anxiety, asberger syndrome, asperger syndrome, assertiveness, autism, behavioral issues, behavioral problems, bisexual, body language, communication disorders, complementary medicine, congruency, counseling, counselor, couples, creative block, depression, developing intimacy, dysfunctional behaviors, equine assisted learning, equine assisted therapy, family dynamics, fear, fear of animals, fear of intimacy, gay, gestalt, GLBT, goals, healing, horse therapy, horses, identity issues, interaction, intimacy, learning to trust, lesbian, marital issues, marital problems, mental health, non-verbal communication, obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, physical therapy, projection, psychological projection, psychotherapy, Rachel Pray, relationship building, relationship problems, self improvement, self-esteem, sexuality, social anxiety, stress, teenagers, therapy, trauma, trust, wellness





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