Hallie Sheade, Hannah Yterdal, Cynthia Chandler, Ed.D, LPC-S, LMFT-S University of North Texas. B.A. Wings of Hope Equitherapy

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1 Hallie Sheade, M.S., LPC, RPT, NCC - Equine Connection Counseling Doctoral Candidate University of North Texas Hannah Yterdal, B.A. Wings of Hope Equitherapy Masters Counseling Student University of North Texas Cynthia Chandler, Ed.D, LPC-S, LMFT-S University of North Texas

2 A youth with a future with less than optimal outcomes. (National Center for School Engagement, 2014). Risk factors may include: Homeless or transient Involvement with drugs or alcohol History of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse Mental illness Neglect or stressful home environment Lack of social and/or emotional support Involvement with delinquent peer group

3 Approximately ½ of all mental illnesses begin by age 14 1in 5 youth have diagnosable mental health disorder 175,000 children suffer from severe mental health needs Public spending on mental health care has consistently declined each year Number of children waiting for mental health services increases each year In 2011, the percent of high school students who attempted suicide was higher the national average Many children receive a long list of multiple and overlapping diagnoses

4 Only 1 out of 3 children who qualify to public mental health services receive care (Texans Care for Kids) Texas ranks near last in money spent on public mental health care Most children in need of care do not receive services until already in the system

5 High cost of care Lack of insurance or insurance not accepted by providers Transportation issues Parental motivation Prioritizing meeting basic needs over therapy

6 Intervene early as most mental health problems begin in childhood Involve the entire system of care Family, school, and community providers Encourage parents to be involved in the counseling process Utilizing a trauma-informed approach

7 Suicide and self-injury Suicide is leading cause of death in youth ages Depression 11% of youth have depressive disorder by age 18 Combination treatment most effective Anxiety 8% of teens have anxiety disorder Aggression/Anger Trauma

8 Prevention and early intervention to minimize long-term effects Relationship-based approaches may be effective with foster youth (Johnson & Pryce, 2013)

9 Cultures all over the world have documented importance of animals to children Animals offer children affection, unconditional positive regard, love, and loyalty that may be scarce elsewhere in child s life Many children have an innate interest in and desire to interact with animals (Cain, 1991; Levinson, 1964; Melson & Fine, 2010; Triebenbacher, 2000; VanFleet & Faa-Thompson, 2010)

10 Horses provide an increased understanding of work ethic, responsibility, assertiveness, communication, and healthy relationships Large size provides opportunity to overcome fear and develop confidence Similar to humans because social animals Require work in caring for them Sensitive to nonverbal communication (EAGALA, 2009)

11 The presence of therapy animals can: Increase client s motivation to participate in session Facilitate trust with counselor Enable child to receive nurturing and acceptance Physiological benefits include promoting relationship development including decreased cortisol and increased oxytocin Animals naturally embody Roger s (1992) core conditions: Congruence/Genuineness Unconditional positive regard Empathy (Chandler, 2012; Odendaal, 2000)

12 Creates opportunities to practice new skills and transfer to real life Involves all aspects of person for change Helps clients learn decision-making and personal responsibility Offers non-threatening, motivating environment Breaks down defense barriers Develop of empathy and patience Supplies immediate feedback Builds trust in relationships Decreases feelings of hopelessness Improves self-concept Provides safe relationship to practice trust (Chandler, 2012; Mandrell, 2006)

13 Primary belief: Client possesses inherent tendency to seek meaningful relationships which facilitate movement towards growth and healing Mechanism of change: Through relationship with horse, client is afforded opportunity to create a new pattern for relationships and experience security necessary to heal Horses are permitted to respond freely and organically Focus on enlarging meaning to outside of session

14 Integrative, developmental, and wellness-focused approach Appropriate for ages 9-18 Through interacting with the horse, clients can: Explore new ways of interacting in the world Receive authentic, empathic, and nonjudgmental feedback from the horse(s) Process issues as they arise in the here-and-now based on interaction with the horses Gain insight into one s emotional experience and awareness of maladaptive patterns All sessions take place on the ground in which teaching and horsemanship are de-emphasized

15 Based on Landreth s (2002) child-centered play therapy model Appropriate for ages 3-9 Recreation of play room in outdoor play area with inclusion of miniature horses Levinson (1962) believed children can better relate to animals than toys alone Therapist can gain valuable information regarding the child based on interaction with horses Horse functions as group member and provide valuable feedback Child can experience safe relationship through which child can project thoughts, feelings, and experiences onto the horse (Chandler, 2012; Fine, O Callaghan, Chandler, Schaffer, Pichot, & Gimeno, 2010; Levinson, 1962, Sheade & Yterdal, 2013)

16 Be competent in practicing animal assisted therapy and co-facilitate with Equine Specialist Evaluate counseling area for safety hazards Conduct thorough screening and informed consent process Important to balance needs of child with needs of the horse

17 Presence of horse as important source of comfort and acceptance Parent/caregiver report of positive changes in child faster than office-based therapy Projection of private feelings onto horse Safe relationship through which to provide and receive nurturing Emergence of maladaptive patterns through relationship with horse

18 8yro Black male living with biological grandparents History of sexual abuse Presenting problems: Acting out at school Frequent meltdowns Anger problems Outcomes: Child experienced acceptance, warmth, empathy, and genuineness by horses Horses provided concrete feedback regarding child s feelings related to anxiety, inadequacy, and desire to control Child achieved increased self-confidence and self-esteem

19 17yro Black male living with adopted parents Presenting problems: Physical aggression towards family members Stealing Staying out past curfew Outcomes: Child felt safe and accepted by horses Child gained selfawareness into emotional experience Child developed ways to self-regulate

20 12yro White female living with biological mother, stepfather, and foster child Presenting problems: Cutting Social media concerns Defiance towards family and teachers Outcomes: Child felt understood and safe Child explored distressing thoughts and feelings Child gained insight into how her stress affected relationships with others

21 Learning about and labeling the parts of a horse. Learning about and gaining respect for a therapy horse, problem solving together and gaining respect for one another.

22 Moving a horse in a desired direction. Enhancing communication and relationships with a therapy horse and with one another.

23 Learning to provide care for a therapy horse. Learning trust and gaining cooperation with a therapy horse and with a counselor.