Nope. Simple as that… with only a few caveats: are you hurting yourself? Someone else?

My number one goal is to keep my people safe, physically and emotionally. We’ll talk more about this during the first session, but the bottom line is this – if you don’t feel safe, then you’re not going to share. Privacy is critical for our success together.

This question really depends on you and your goals. Some folks feel ready to dive right in and see results fast. Others take time to warm up and want to really build trust before they start sharing. There’s no “one size fits all” when we’re talking therapy timelines. I see a therapist regularly because stuff always comes up, and it’s nice to have my very own permanent sounding board that doesn’t burden any of those in my circle!

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an approach to therapy in which the therapist and client participate in sessions together with the horse as an equal partner in the therapeutic process. Equine Specialists (ES) are also a vital part of the therapy session, as they are the experts on horses! The ES has the role of keeping the horse, client, and therapist safe during each session and will work together with the therapist to plan activities that address the client's therapeutic goals.

All sessions take place on the ground (no actual riding of the horses). The intuitive nature of horses and their ability to connect deeply with humans, without judgment and in the present moment, allow clients to safely learn to identify, reflect on, and regulate their own emotions.

EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019).

Now, for a simple explanation... Our brains work like a filing cabinet. This memory is stored here, that memory stored there. Traumatic (or even just plain uncomfortable) memories shape the way we see and interact with the world and ourselves. They also throw our brains for a loop - "hmm, where the heck does this moment get filed??" So instead of easily filing it away, our brains lay it on top of the filing cabinet and try to open that file again during the most inopportune times:

"Oh, you've been sleeping so well? Time to wake up at 3am and replay that moment over and over again."

"Oh you're in a pretty solid relationship? Let's shake that up by opening up that memory or negative self belief!"

With EMDR, we can put that file where it belongs and choose if and when to bring it up moving forward. We put some distance between ourselves and the emotions that come flooding in when our brains decide to randomly open up the stack on top of the filing cabinet. We're not removing or erasing memories here. We're actively processing through them because our bodies and brains haven't quite been able to do that on their own.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239

References:

Maxfield, L. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research [Editorial], 13(4), 239-246. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239