Equine Facilitative Learning Region 2 PATH Intl Conference

Equine Facilitative Learning Region 2 PATH Intl. Conference March 16 th, 2013 Dina Parrello- PATH Certified Registered Instructor, PATH Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning oakhill 72@comcast. net, Cell Phone: 732 -687 -1425

Objectives Ø History Ø EFL versus EFMH? Ø Standards Ø Starting Ø Certifications Ø Questions 2

BEGINNERS MIND The richness of the present-moment experience is the richness of life itself. Too, often, we let our thinking and our beliefs about what we “know” prevent us from seeing things as they really are. We tend to take the ordinary for granted and fail to grasp the extraordinariness of the ordinary. To see the richness of the present moment we need to cultivate what is called the “beginners mind”. A mind that is willing to see everything for the first time…an open “beginner’s mind” allows us to be receptive to new possibilities and prevents us from getting stuck in the rut of our own expertise, which often thinks it knows more that it does. No moment is the same as any other, Each is unique and contains possibilities. Beginner’s mind reminds us of this simple truth. Full Catastrophic Living, “Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain and illness. ” Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph. D. 3

PATH Intl. Ø Mission PATH Intl. changes and enriches lives by promoting excellence in equine assisted activities and therapies. Ø Vision PATH is the global authority, resource and advocate for equine assisted activities and therapies and the equines in this work that inspire and enrich the human spirit. 4

EFMHA History Why Horses? (from EFMHA) Equines are sentient beings with feelings, thoughts, emotions, memories and empathetic abilities. � Equines can be active facilitators, evoking emotions in those who work with and around them. � Equines function as partners in EFMH sessions and as such all sessions must be conducted to be mutually beneficial for all participants (including equine). � EFMHA believes that equines are NOT to be manipulated, scared or teased or used as tools or props. � 5

“WHY HORSES? ” Ø Equines are herd animals who naturally want to interact. They easily engage students with their willingness to respond and cooperate. Developing the skills to effectively communicate with a horse builds selfconfidence, empathy, and trust. Ø Large animals used metaphorically. 6

Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies Equine Assisted Activities Equine Assisted Therapies Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding Driving Vaulting Equine Facilitative Learning Horsemanship Equine Facilitated Mental Health Hippotherapy Physical Therapy Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy 7

EFL versus EFP Equine Facilitated Learning Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Ø A form of experiential Ø Experiential education methodology psychotherapy that includes that uses the interactions and developing relationships between equines. horses and humans in an environment of learning and self discovery. Ø Creates opportunities for increased motivation, education and recreational /therapeutic opportunities of the interactions with horses to enhance quality of life. Ø Provides the client with opportunities to enhance self -awareness and re-pattern maladaptive behaviors, feeling and attitudes. 8

EFL versus EFP EFL EFP Ø Involves discussion and educational content. Ø Usually has an end goal in mind at start of lesson. Ø Lesson Ø Participant Ø Discussion Ø Processing of experiences, feelings and thoughts. Ø Is client driven and goals may vary or change during the session. Ø Session Ø Client Ø Processing 9

TEAM EFL Ø Teachers, Special Education Teachers. Ø Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) Ø Experiential Educators Ø Equestrian Instructors (riding, driving, vaulting, etc. ) Ø Recreational Therapists Ø Life Coaches Ø Ministers Ø Corporate Leadership Trainers Ø Mental Health Therapists (for activities outside a clients treatment plan work) Ø Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapist EFP Ø Is provided by a licensed mental health professional partnered with an ESMHL, unless dually trained. Ø Licensed mental health professional is a; psychologist (Ph. D), masters in social work (MSW), licensed marriage and family therapist or counselor. 10

Equine Facilitated Learning Ø Credentialed professional able to design and facilitate curriculum (e. g. special education teacher, experiential educator, instructor, life coach, etc. ) Ø Facilitates personal growth, education/knowledge, life skills and/or professional development. Ø Is planned by the EFL team which includes the ESMHL. Ø Involves framing and discussing the participant’s equine interaction for the purpose of self growth. 11

Equine Facilitated Learning Ø Understanding the concept of trust through grooming. • Learn character traits needs to trust and be trust worthy. • Trust is something that is earned more through actions than words. Horsemanship Ø Grooming as a Goal • Be able to Identify and properly use the following grooming tools: curry comb, hard brush, soft brush and hoof pick with 90% accuracy by the third lesson. 12

Equine Facilitated Learning Curriculum addresses individual goals and needs: Øequine interaction Øexperientially based activities (such as classroom work) 13

Every EFL program is different Activities are determined by the following: Ø Ø Curriculum Equine partners available Facilitator Goals and abilities of participants 14

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Ø Is provided by a licensed mental health professional partnered with an ESMHL, unless dually trained. Ø Works with a client who has consented to psychotherapeutic treatment. Ø Includes a treatment plan for maladaptive patterns and behavior. Ø Involves the processing of feeling and past traumatic experiences for the purposes of healing and therapeutic benefits for mental health related issues. 15

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Ø May be used for people with psycho-social issues and mental health needs that results in any significant variation in cognition, mood judgment, insight anxiety level, perception, social skills, communication, behavior or learning. 16

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Ø Examples of potential diagnosis may include but are not limited to: Ø Anxiety disorders Ø Psychotic disorders Ø Behavior difficulties Ø Mood disorders Ø Schizophrenia Ø Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Ø Autism Ø Receptive or Expressive Language Disorders Ø Personality Disorders Ø Depression Ø Post Traumatic Stress Disorders Ø Environmental Trauma Ø Abuse Ø Divorce Ø Grief and loss 17

EFL or EFP? Ø What needs are being addressed? Ø What are the goals or treatment plans being used? Ø What experience is the horse providing? Ø Who facilitates the session? 18

PATH Intl. Psychosocial Guidelines ØEquine Facilitated Learning ØEquine Facilitated Psychotherapy 19

Getting Started Ø PATH Intl. Equine-Facilitated Learning Manual Ø Path Intl. Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Manual Ø Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Certification Ø PATH Standards for Accreditation and Certification 20

Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Certification PATH International Contact: �Denise Fager-Certifications Coordinator- denisefager@pathintl. org ESMHL Certification Booklet can be accessed www. pathintl. org Certification workshop dates and registration can be accessed at www. pathintl. org 21

2013 EFMHL Certification Workshops SPUR September 12 -15, 2013 Middletown, NJ Liz Huntington-732 -224 -1367 #3 Touchtone Farm September 27 -30, 2013 Temple, NH Winter Keeler -603 -654 -6308 Hearts and Horses October 23 -Oct 26, 2013 Loveland, Colorado Jan Pollema-970 -633 -4200 22

ESMHL Certification PATH Intl. does not endorse any particular program. ØColleges offering EFL Training Programs ØIndependent training courses ØPATH Certification in Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning 23

Role of the ESMHL Ø If also certified as an educational specialist or mental health professional, conduct individual EFP/L sessions (groundwork only). Ø PATH Intl. requires two or more individuals are served by both an ES and an EFP/L professional. Ø If the Equine Specialist is certified in riding, driving or interactive vaulting, sessions may also include these activities. Ø Partner with a PATH Intl Center and an EFL or EFP professional to begin a Mental Health or Learning program. 24

EQUINE SPECIALIST ROLE Ø ESMHL has a working knowledge of standards and guidelines and updates themselves regularly. 25

EFMHL Workshop Objectives Ø Create a therapeutic or learning environment, for either EFP or EFL. Ø Understand equine care, management and ethical treatment of the EFMHL equine. Ø Understand how maintain PATH Intl. ethics and standards including ethical treatment of the equine. Ø Design appropriate exercises based on the IEP or mental health treatment plan. Ø Understand the importance of collaboration with other members of the team 26

EQUINE SPECIALIST ROLE Ø ESMHL is the equine expert during equine/human interaction. Ø Session can be mounted or unmounted, if mounted either a certified instructor should be present or dual certification is required. Ø Collaborative process, but the goals and objectives of the session are set by the Mental Health or Education professional. 27

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual-Core § A 9 -Is there a written contractual agreement between the MHP and the center? § A 18 -Is there a written implemented procedure for written permission to be obtained prior to the release of information to an outside source concerning a participant receiving equine assisted activities and therapies? 28

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual EFL standards are in the field test phase 29

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual-Core A 36 DNA(does not apply) If the program does not conduct efficacy research Does the program have an implemented written procedure for conducting research efficacy studies involving the program’s participants, equines, personnel and volunteers? *F 10 MANDATORY Does the facility have a private area suitable for conducting a confidential interview or processing session with equine-facilitated psychotherapy or mental health participants? 30

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Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual Service Standards Equestrian Skills Standards Medical/Mental Health Standards 35

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual EFP Standards *MMH 1 MANDATORY-Is there written evidence that the health/mental health professional who provides direct treatment therapy services is credentialed, licensed, certified or registered in his/her specific discipline to legally provide services in accordance with the scope of that credential in the jurisdiction in which the services are delivered? *MMH 2 MANDATORY- Is there written evidence that the health professional who provides direct treatment therapy services maintains current liability insurance? 36

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual *MMH 4 MANDATORY Is the PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning present in all EFP sessions? When conducting mounted EFP session, are a PATH Intl. certified Instructor and a PATH Intl. ESMHL present? *MMH 5 MANDATORY Is the health professional who is providing direct service either an appropriately PATH Intl. credentialed or is assisted by an appropriate PATH Intl. credentialed individual during all equine-related treatment sessions? 37

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual MMH 6 -Is there an implemented procedure in practice to assess and address the supervision and consultation needs of the PATH Intl. Certified Instructor, PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, the mental health professional and the EFP? MMH 10 -Is there written consent for evaluation and treatment specific to psychotherapy available onsite for each client? 38

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual MMH 16 - Is there evidence of written documentation available at each activity site for each client? 1. 2. 3. 4. Comprehensive intake assessment? A treatment plan which includes specific psychotherapy/mental health counseling goals? Periodic Review? Ongoing client progress? 39

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual *MMH 17 MANDATORY Is there an implemented procedure that requires written documentation for personnel and volunteers to be: 1. Assessed for the ability to work with particular clients or clients population? 2. Consistently involved? 3. Oriented to the equine-facilitated psychotherapy program? 4. Oriented to the needs of the specific clients whom they assist? 5. Involved in post session processing with the mental health professional, PATH Intl. Certified Instructor, PATH Intl Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and other pertinent people? 40

Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual Specialty forms Psychosocial Safety Guidelines Equine Facilitated Learning Guidelines Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Guidelines Precautions and contraindications 41