Phenomenological narratology understanding of clients' experiences and perceptions of equine facilitated psychotherapy.

摘要

Research focusing on Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) is limited; the research conducted focusing specifically on clients' experiences and perceptions of effectiveness is even more limited. This study set forth to gain insight into participants' experiences during EFP and understand how they perceived the effectiveness of EFP. The results indicate seven themes that emerged in their stories of experience. These are trust, friendship, bravery, alternative fun, responsibility, confronting one's self, and peace. Five of these were supported by previous research that focused on therapists, equine specialists, and volunteers' perceptions: trust, friendship, responsibility, confronting one's self, and peace. The two themes that have not been reported previously are bravery and alternative fun.