Equine facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) is a form of experiential psychotherapy in which horses are used by a licensed mental health professional to work with clients. EFP is a treatment approach within the classification of Equine Assisted Therapy that provides clients with opportunities to enhance self-awareness and re-pattern maladaptive behaviors, feelings, and attitudes by combining traditional psychotherapy with various equine facilitated activities.

What’s the difference between equine facilitated psychotherapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, hippotherapy and therapeutic riding?

Equine facilitated psychotherapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, hippotherapy, and therapeutic riding are all treatment approaches within the classification of Equine Assisted Therapy. They differ in their techniques, goals, client populations and professionals involved. Equine facilitated psychotherapy uses all aspects of horse care, including riding, to work with the client. In EFP, the licensed mental health professional may be the only professional present during the session as long as that professional is also knowledgeable and experienced with horses. Equine assisted psychotherapy only includes working with horses from the ground during sessions with no actual riding and requires that both a licensed mental health professional and a separate “horse professional” be present during sessions. Hippotherapy involves a licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist, and/or speech therapist utilizing horseback riding to facilitate exercises for a client with a disability. Therapeutic riding includes horseback riding for various diagnoses, but only requires a “horse professional” to be present and not a licensed therapist. 

Each horse owned and utilized by BHC of Texarkana was chosen specifically for the purpose of serving as a therapy horse. In addition to equine facilitated psychotherapy provided by Lesa Warren, LCSW, the horses are also used by Temple Memorial Rehabilitation Center therapists as hippotherapy horses for special needs children. Everyone at BHC of Texarkana is proud that Joe, Ginger, and Pharoah are able to be of service to so many different clients and patients.

Click here to read about the uses and benefits of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy.

           Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

Behavioral Health Center

Of Texarkana