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Integrating Somatic Experiencing® and Attachment into Equine-Assisted Trauma Recovery

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... EAP is an experiential form of therapy in which activities with the horse-alongside as well as on the horse-are executed and reflected on by a therapist. The horse can be introduced into the therapy as a non-verbal reciprocal transference and transitional object in order to create corrective emotional experiences for the patient [40,41,49]. The field of AAP in general [35,45,[50][51][52] and of EAP in particular [37,41,49,51,[53][54][55][56][57][58] have depicted the benefits of the inclusion of the horse in therapy. ...
... The horse can be introduced into the therapy as a non-verbal reciprocal transference and transitional object in order to create corrective emotional experiences for the patient [40,41,49]. The field of AAP in general [35,45,[50][51][52] and of EAP in particular [37,41,49,51,[53][54][55][56][57][58] have depicted the benefits of the inclusion of the horse in therapy. Animal-assisted psychotherapy could provide for sensory experiences due to physical interactions (petting, brushing, etc.) between patient and animal through which neurodevelopmental areas can be reached [35,59]. ...
... Patients with a dismissive attachment style, thus positive MoS with negative MoO (i.e., insecure attachment-based de-activating strategies, characterized by socio-emotional detachment) need help in understanding the relationship between (inter)personal stress, body sensations, and affect [16,67]. In EAP, the horse may facilitate experiential, non-verbal interactions and socio-emotional processing [49,57]. ...
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Abstract: Attachment characteristics play a key role in mental health and in understanding mental disorders. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the role the attachment characteristics can play in treatment effects in adult patients with intrapsychic and interpersonal problems who underwent Equine-assisted Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (ESTPP). In the first part of the study, we compared the effects of ESTPP to treatment-as-usual from a previous dataset regarding psychological dysfunction. For this, an explorative experimental non-randomized pre-treatment and 1-year post-treatment design was used. A mixed model revealed a significant decline in psychological dysfunction for both conditions, with no significant difference between the two. In the second part of the study, we examined the course of ESTPP effects over the period of 1 year when controlled for attachment styles and, subsequently, for internal working models of self and others. To this end, measurements were taken at baseline, 2 months waiting time, one-week intensive module, 6 months, and one year after the start of the treatment. Mixed models accounted for repeated measures showed significant improvements in psychological dysfunction, remoralization, and depression for ESTPP patients over time. The study implies that models of self and others may be used to predict the course of effects, which is relevant in determining what works for whom. In particularly, duration and intensity of therapy and a focus on the Model of Self seem relevant for shaping a more personalized treatment. ESTPP seems beneficial for patients with low pre-treatment attachment security. Keywords: equine-assisted psychotherapy; psychodynamic; attachment; trauma; internal working models
... From this perspective equine-assisted psychotherapy could fit this paradigm. Several theoretical outlines of EAP have been published in which theoretical foundations are described with reference to psychodynamic-, trauma-attachment-and interpersonal focused treatment e.g., [11,13,31,32]. ...
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The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. Study 1 revealed no relevant clinical studies on EAP with a psychodynamic background with an adult population. Study 2 revealed 12 publications to review predominantly addressing veterans with PTSD. The methodological limitations of most of the studies restrain the overall findings on outcome. However, overall positive effects for EAP, specifically on its experiential features and on finding interpersonal trust for patients, can be discerned. There is an apparent need for clinical studies meeting methodological standards on psychodynamic underpinned EAP methodologies in adults with intertwined personality problems and traumatization.
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This is a historical account of the partnership in which J. Bowlby and M. S. Ainsworth participated to develop attachment theory and research. Beginning with their separate approaches to understanding personality development before Ainsworth joined Bowlby's research team at the Tavistock Clinic in London for 4 years, it describes the origins of the ethological approach that they adopted. After Ainsworth left London, her research in Uganda and in Baltimore lent empirical support to Bowlby's theoretical constructions. This article shows how their contributions to attachment theory and research interdigitated in a partnership that endured for 40 years across time and distance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)