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Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Gestalt Therapy: Exploring the Therapist’s Process

Author: Marybeth Agayev (2022)

Institution: Walden University – Doctoral Dissertation

Overview

This research explores how equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) works from the therapist’s perspective, highlighting the relational, experiential, and present-moment focus that naturally aligns with Gestalt therapy.

Agayev interviewed five experienced EAP therapists to understand how they support clients through the therapeutic process. The findings reveal that EAP helps clients reconnect with themselves and others through embodied, in-the-moment experiences—an approach that mirrors the heart of Gestalt therapy.

Key Themes (and Gestalt Connections)

1. Belonging and Connection
2. Clients often feel a deep, non-verbal bond with the horse. This sense of connection invites them into relational contact—something Gestalt therapy views as essential to healing. The encounter becomes a safe space where the client can be seen and accepted without words.
3. Empowerment through Experience
4. Interacting with a horse offers immediate feedback. Clients learn through doing—not just talking—about their boundaries, needs, and emotions. This experiential learning supports Gestalt therapy’s focus on awareness and self-responsibility in the here and now.
5. Improved Everyday Functioning
6. Therapists observed that clients became more grounded, regulated, and capable in their daily lives. These shifts often arose from increased body awareness and emotional presence—key goals of Gestalt therapy.

Why It Matters

Agayev’s study shows that equine-assisted psychotherapy is more than an alternative therapy—it’s a deeply relational, somatic process that fosters growth, connection, and healing. The findings support EAP as a powerful complement to Gestalt therapy, especially for clients who struggle with traditional talk therapy or find it difficult to express themselves verbally.

APA 7 Reference

Agayev, M. (2022). Equine-assisted psychotherapy: An exploration of the therapist’s clinical process (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies.

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