Horsing Around: Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy as Humanistic Play Therapy

This article explores how the key concepts within Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy (GEP) and Humanistic Play Therapy (HPT) can be compatible modalities for working with children. The connections between GEP and HPT can be seen in their philosophical framework of viewing the self as an embodied, relational process, and the belief in the importance of play and experimentation within the therapeutic encounter. Both approaches emphasize the importance of the therapeutic relationship and trust that the child is able to self-direct his or her own growth and learning. Both GEP and HPT can draw from neuroscience research to provide evidence of the importance of authenticity, congruence, and coherence within both the therapist and the child in building the therapeutic relationship. Through the use of a case example, this article will demonstrate how HPT and GEP can become an integrated approach in supporting the developmental process of the client.

Source: Journal of Humanistic Psychology - February 10, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Lac, V. Tags: Articles Source Type: research