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First published online July 14, 2011

Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents: The influence on self-image, self-control and trust

Keren Bachi, Joseph Terkel, and Meir TeichmanView all authors and affiliations
Volume 17, Issue 2
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104511404177

Abstract

This article describes the theoretical-conceptual frame of equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) for adolescents at-risk, the unique components of this intervention, and its implementation in an evaluation study. The study was conducted at a residential treatment facility for adolescents at-risk. We examined the outcomes of EFP on self-image, self-control, trust and general life satisfaction. Fourteen resident adolescents comprised the treatment group, and were compared with a matched group of 15 residents who did not receive EFP (control). The treatment comprised a weekly individual EFP session over a period of seven months. The study found a trend of positive change in all four research parameters within the treatment group. Additional indications of the intervention’s positive influence were also found and are discussed.

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Published In

Volume 17, Issue 2
Pages: 298 - 312
Article first published online: July 14, 2011
Issue published: April 2012

Keywords

  1. equine-facilitated psychotherapy
  2. at-risk adolescents
  3. self-image
  4. self-control
  5. trust

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© The Author(s) 2011.
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PubMed: 21757481

Authors

Affiliations

Keren Bachi
The Graduate Center of the City University of New York
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Joseph Terkel
Tel Aviv University
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Meir Teichman
Tel Aviv University
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Notes

Keren Bachi, Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, 69978. Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Keren Bachi is a candidate of PhD in Social Welfare, Hunter College School of SW, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, NY. She is head of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy division of the Israeli Association of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy (IAAAP), Certified Equine interaction professional-Mental Health. Her specializations are Equine facilitated psychotherapy, clinical supervision, addiction and at-risk adolescents treatment.
Professor Joseph Terkel is an international expert in animal behavior at Tel Aviv University. He is Head of the “Animals & Society” Unit, which he founded in 1996 for study of the reciprocal relationships between animals and humans, in order to improve animal welfare and people’s attitudes toward animals; and to promote appropriate and ethical use of animals contributing to human well-being in general; in educational and therapeutic programs in particular.
Teichman, Meir is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Tel-Aviv University Bob Shapell School of Social Work. His main research interests are in deviant behavior in adolescence: etiology and rehabilitation, addictions, and family violence.

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