Equine Therapy

BRF Team Member David Godden

The Blue Rock Foundation works in partnership with The Australian Addiction and Trauma Treatment Centre to deliver an equine therapy program to young people.

The Trauma Centre’s program is operated from its facility in the Byron Bay hinterland and is designed to establish a sense of confidence and a belief in one’s ability. The young people involved in the program will experience sleeping out and working with horses on a three day adventure designed as an effective therapeutic intervention.

In recent years Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) has gained recognition internationally as an effective treatment strategy for a number of client groups. Its capacity to deliver positive outcomes for individuals suffering from low self-esteem, psychological trauma, addiction and mental health issues has established (EAP) as an important modality in the treatment of trauma, and trauma related disorders.

Our Equine assisted psychotherapy program allows the individual to have control over the horse and find a confidence within themselves they may have otherwise thought lost. They are able to form a relationship with the horse based on mutual respect of the others boundaries, effective communication and co-operation.

Riding, experimental learning, grooming and groundwork promote the benefits of social, physical and often emotion interactions with another being, increasing confidence and self-esteem.

The equine sessions are facilitated by our equine expert and a psychotherapist so the session can be observed and reflected back to the individual. As horses are social animals they live within the boundaries and rules of the herd. They demand respect and are acutely aware of their surrounds and extremely perceptive to human emotions. Our Equine program allows individuals to learn to come into a respectful relationship with an animal before they can start the journey to relationship with self.