Due to the inclusion of horses in a session, the parameters are different from the traditional office psychotherapy.  The following aims to provide you with details of these differences:

• You will be in close proximity to horses and engaging with the horses by observing, touching and free interaction.

• The work is sometimes conducted together with a Horse Professional who is skilled in understanding of horse behaviour and knowledgeable about the herd and it’s individual members,

• The Horse Professional assists by providing information where needed prior and during interactions with the horses, as well as, paying attention to the safety aspect during direct contact with the horses.

• The observations shared by the Horse professional from his/her perspective is a valuable part of the process.

• Where the therapy is conducted without the presence of the horse professional, we will be responsible for these aspects of the interaction.

• Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy takes place outdoors and within reason will go ahead regardless of the weather.  You will need to be prepared for changing weather conditions and dress accordingly.  This means wearing closed toed shoes, casual clothing that you are prepared to get dirty, trousers and extra layers for cold and rain.  In hot weather you are advised to wear a hat and sunscreen.

• Due to the setting within which the horses live and the nature of the business of keeping horses, individuals who are not part of the process may come unexpectedly to the premises (for example ground staff and related horse service providers).

• While every effort is made to make sure that the sessions are held in private you need to be aware that these unexpected occurrences are a possibility.  Should this situation arise therapeutic conversation or activity will be ceased until the individual has left, or the disturbance has been taken care of.  However, you need to be aware that the same level of confidentiality and privacy that exists in a private office setting cannot be guaranteed when working with the horses,

• If there is a Horse Professional assisting in the process, he/she understands the confidential nature of the work and is bound by a prior confidentiality and privacy undertaking.

• Where the activity involves group work each member of the group undertakes to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the individual’s participating in the group process.