Equine-Partnered Play Therapy

Unlike adults who talk to make sense of the world, children use play. In this way, play is the language of children. 

In play therapy, children are provided with the necessary materials to explore, process, and express feelings in a safe therapeutic environment.
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All children have an innate capacity for positive growth, but may become discouraged along their journey. This discouragement may appear as misbehavior, problems with attention and concentration, worry, acting out, and even aggression.

In Equine-Partnered Play Therapy (EPPT), we have developed an innovative, evidence-informed model for integrating equines into child-centered play therapy. In order to accommodate our equine partners, sessions are held in an outdoor "play area" modeled after a traditional playroom.  

EPPT is best suited for children between the ages of 4 and 9 years old. Our equine partners include miniature horses.

Equines are naturally authentic, empathic, and nonjudgmental and help a child to feel secure and free to express himself or herself. The equine will respond naturally to the child during the session and can enable the child to learn how to develop healthy relationships.

EPPT can help your child address concerns such as:

• Oppositional defiant behaviors and tantrums
• Trauma, abuse, and/or neglect
• ADHD and attention-related problems
• Sadness, low-self-esteem, and depression
• Anxiety and excessive worry
• Anger issues and low frustration tolerance
• Adjustment to life changes such as grief, divorce, and moving/changing schools
• Social skills and peer-related problems
• Low school motivation

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Benefits of Equine-Partnered Play Therapy

• Improved social skills and empathy for others
• Increased self-esteem, self-respect, and self-acceptance
• Development of personal responsibility and self-direction
• Increased self-awareness
• Improved decision-making and learning to make appropriate choices
• Appropriate self-expression
• Improved self-control and self-regulation

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