What Is The Difference Between Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Riding For The Disabled (RDA)?
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
EAL – Equine Assisted Learning – is conducted by a practitioner who does not necessarily have a therapeutic qualification. EAL offers the client a safe experience with horses as co-facilitators for the purposes of personal growth / skills development and professional skills development such as leadership or team building. This level of therapy does not include psychotherapy or behaviour modification interventions, unless the EAL practitioner has formal training and certification in advanced therapeutic processes.
Riding for the Disabled (RDA)
RDA – Riding for the Disabled is a not-for-profit organisation supporting those with disabilities in interacting with horses. RDA provides hippotherapy, groundwork and ridden work.
It may be said that the focus of RDA is to improve mental and physical health through a ridden experience.
In contrast, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy’s focus is on improving mental health through interaction and feedback received from the horses with the distinct goal of psychotherapeutic interventions to produce a change in the way we view ourselves and the world around us.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
EAP – Equine Assisted Psychotherapy – is a therapy performed by qualified Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists or Mental Health Workers who can be registered with their respective professional bodies.
This level of therapy utilises advanced psychotherapeutic strategies and interventions to assist the client in reaching their identified therapeutic goals. It may involve a range of therapeutic approaches such as: Family of Origin work, Attachment Theory, Trauma Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Gestalt Therapy.
EAP practitioners must attend ongoing professional development and maintain their registration with their respective professional bodies as a requirement of their professional status.
Horses Healing Us
Horses Healing Us can provide you with Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) because Andrew is a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), with an experienced Equine Assisted Learner (EAL) as a support person in each session.
