What is EAP and EAL?
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP):
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) involves horses in experiential sessions that assist clients with emotional growth and learning. EAP sessions require a team approach consisting of a mental health professional, the equine specialist and the herd of horses who work with clients to help clients achieve their goals. Due to the effectiveness of sessions, EAP is considered a brief or short term approach. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy can be used in lieu of, or conjunction with, other therapeutic models. The difference is that EAP provides an energetic forum to engage everyone. Clients of all ages taking part in individual, couples, or group sessions can find solutions to life's dilemmas. EAP assists clients in finding their own answers through the completion of specific activities designed to meet unique needs.
An experiential environment consists of clients interacting with the horses in their natural environment. Clients engage in sessions that are designed by the equine specialist and the mental health professional. After each session the mental health professional helps the clients identify and process feelings, behaviors and patterns. This approach is offered through treatment facilities, therapists, and human development courses around the world. EAP and EAL are very powerful tools that benefit everyone.
An experiential environment consists of clients interacting with the horses in their natural environment. Clients engage in sessions that are designed by the equine specialist and the mental health professional. After each session the mental health professional helps the clients identify and process feelings, behaviors and patterns. This approach is offered through treatment facilities, therapists, and human development courses around the world. EAP and EAL are very powerful tools that benefit everyone.
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL):
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is similar to EAP although the focus is altered to personal goals and learning. The team approach is utilized in EAL just as it is in EAP. The goal of EAL is to help individuals learn specific skills about an individual or group. EAL benefits businesses, military men and women, as well as schools. Providing a variety of exercises, the focus of the program will aim at improving communication and leadership skills.
Information gathered from: http://www.eagala.org/Information/What_Is_EAP_EAL