Eagala Equine Therapy Certification for UK Specialists

Bringing Mental Health Professionals and Equine Specialists Together for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in the UK

A group of people interacting with horses in a covered arena in UK

Mental Health Awareness In The UK

Mental health is a cornerstone of our overall well-being, yet it often remains a neglected aspect of healthcare. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 8 people globally live with a mental health condition. These conditions can manifest in various ways, impacting our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

While effective prevention and treatment options are available, many individuals still struggle to access appropriate care. In the UK, where the pressures of modern life can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, raising awareness and providing accessible treatment is paramount.

Eagala is committed to improving mental health care by offering specialised training in the Eagala Model. This approach equips mental health professionals to address complex issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, domestic abuse, behavioural disorders, depression, and trauma.

Eagala aims to ensure that more people in the UK have access to innovative and effective mental health treatments, leading to healthier communities and a better quality of life.

Horse-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Unique Approach to Mental Health

Equine-assisted psychotherapy, grounded in the Eagala Model, offers a distinctive and impactful approach to mental health treatment. Horses, with their innate intuition and non-judgmental nature, provide a therapeutic environment that traditional therapy methods cannot fully replicate.

If you’re seeking therapy sessions that incorporate the use of horses in the UK, there are a growing number of Eagala-trained mental health and equine specialists available. This type of therapy helps clients develop emotional regulation, build trust, and enhance communication skills.

Through interactions with horses, clients can gain new insights into their challenges and discover their own solutions, leading to enduring personal growth and recovery.

A group of people and a few horses standing together and holding an Eagala banner.

Enhancing Your Credentials

The Eagala Model provides a unique opportunity for mental health professionals and equine specialists in the UK to work together in a collaborative approach to therapy. By combining the expertise of both fields, professionals can offer clients a more comprehensive and effective treatment experience.

The Eagala model requires a qualified team consisting of a licensed/registered mental health professional (MH), a professional equine specialist (ES), and at least one horse. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a richer therapeutic environment, where clients can benefit from the unique qualities and interactions that horses bring to the session.

Mental health professionals can enhance their therapeutic techniques without having to learn an additional specialty and equine specialists can apply their expertise to facilitate growth and learning without having to be trained in mental health practices. This collaborative approach creates a synergistic environment that profoundly benefits the client.

A few horses walking with people in a covered UK arena.

Boots on the Ground Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

A ground-based approach ensures that all therapy sessions are conducted without the need for riding. This approach allows horses to move freely and engage authentically in the therapeutic process. In the Eagala model, horses are encouraged to express their natural selves and choose their responses to humans during the session.

This means they do not require training for a specific sport or riding discipline. In fact, the more they access their natural instincts, responses, and behaviours, the more effective they can be as therapeutic partners.

This ground-based method ensures a safe environment for clients so they can look within themselves without having to worry about controlling a large animal. the physical demands or risks associated with riding. The horses, unencumbered with reins or a pen, can respond naturally, helping clients gain insights into their lives, and encouraging them to find their solutions.

By removing riding or control aspects of the horse, Eagala’s boots-on-the-ground psychotherapy also increases the safety of both the client and the horse. In a way, your client and the horse are on equal footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eagala is an equine-assisted psychotherapy model that incorporates horses into a therapeutic process. It is often used for individuals with depression, PTSD, anxiety, trauma and more.

No, riding is not required for Eagala sessions: all interactions with the horses take place on the ground. This boots-on-the-ground practice makes the session more free-flowing and puts patients and horses on the same level.

Horses are highly attuned to human emotions and behaviors. In Eagala, clients interact with horses in a safe and controlled environment. The horses’ reactions can provide valuable insights into the client’s emotions and behaviors, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

You can find Eagala-certified therapists by searching on our programs page.

Start Your Journey Today

Enroll in the Premier Equine Training Certification Programs in the UK.