Equine-Facilitated Group Work for Women Survivors of Interpersonal Violence

Abstract

Women survivors of interpersonal violence face challenges to their psychological health and wellbeing, including increased risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder. For women experiencing the enduring effects of posttraumatic stress, recovery is a complicated process. Equine-facilitated psychotherapy is a multifaceted treatment approach beginning to evidence positive outcomes for posttraumatic symptom reduction. In this practice article, an equine-facilitated psychotherapy group for women trauma survivors is described. Session topics, equine-focused interventions, group processes, and general outcomes are detailed. Group work implications and ideas for researching group work with horses are discussed.

Keywords:

• equine-facilitated group work
• interpersonal violence
• trauma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katy Schroeder

Katy Schroeder, M.S., N.C.C., is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at Oregon State University. Daniel Stroud, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Counselor Education at Oregon State University–Cascades.

Daniel Stroud

Katy Schroeder, M.S., N.C.C., is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at Oregon State University. Daniel Stroud, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Counselor Education at Oregon State University–Cascades.