I considered various teaching models: From self study to personal presentations, from simply providing material to taking you by the hand and guiding you. In the end, I decided to take a "several step" approach:

• pEATT 1:1 is a self-paced, self-study course only. It contains what I believe is necessary for anybody working in our field, even though it is presented from a psychodynamic perspective. It offers a researched structure that aims at keeping all involved in the process - client - horses - team members - "safe". Throughout the course, I place invitations to share your thoughts and engage on the discussion board. I have learned by now that online courses are marked by a reluctance in participants to engage with others who are unknown, unless the teacher/presenter heavily engages in supporting that exchange. I encourage you to share your learning process, but it is not mandatory.

• pEATT 1:2 builds on Part 1 in that in the first section, you will learn the essentials of psychodynamic equine assisted traumatherapy: the necessary elements in trauma work, how to structure sessions, what to look for to ensure a "safe" environment for all: clients - horses - and team members. I have included typical signs and symptoms of PTS(d), to include a first look at complex PTS(d). All the while focusing on the horse, slowly but surely increasing your view to be able to see what the horse, as equal team member with respect for his/her differences, actually contributes to sessions. In the second section, we move into the direct application of what you have learned: in various case examples, we analyze step by step and address not only the "work process" but also factors that influence the entire team.



Throughout the entire course, I encourage you to engage on the discussion board and with each other. Self reflections are part of insight oriented work. No matter if you, the mental health professional, come from a different approach and/or have learned to process things differently, or you come from the equine world: being self aware in a setting where horses are responsive to all ensures quality care in regards to ethical practices.

QUIZZES: There are some sections with quizzes that cover the material in the unit. Quizzes must have passing grades in order for you to be able to move on to the next unit. You have 99 tries for each quiz. Even though they are designed to ensure that everyone has reached an understanding of the material that was presented, you will find that some of them are not so serious. I believe you are here to learn, and see no need to enforce this.

DISCUSSION BOARDS: It is a known problem that people typically struggle with active participation on discussion boards, especially in an online self study setting. Except for your introduction, commenting and sharing is optional. I can only add that I believe that each viewpoint and perception is valid and has its own right to be expressed - and not be judged by others for being different.

I will not allow discrimination or derogatory engagements and trust you to keep these policies in mind. Even though the discussion boards are designed to facilitate group discussions focusing on specific questions related to the information in some units and, at times, select homework assignments, I trust you will use them as you see fit with as much respect and regard as you yourself wish to be met with.

In this course, I will not supervise you. By enrolling, you are eligible to attend one free group supervision/intervision. Please check the Information Board for dates and times.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: IF you intend to move on to Part 2, you are required to submit a homework assignment to [email protected]

The homework assignment will be described in a later section.

Q & A:

One of the biggest questions I get is: Why a structured approach?

As you will experience, this course is very structured. Some may say "directive". Even though it is important to me to consider ALL perspectives, there is a visible "red line" going through the entire course. And you may wonder or maybe even struggle with it: Why is there seemingly so little room for exploring different perspectives - why am I presenting on the pEATT model?

There are many different models, and the variability between programs, models, approaches is huge. Making it, imo, so much more difficult for all of us! Because those who are in charge of funding our services, e.g. insurance companies, rightly say that a positive outcome is neither predictable nor measurable when there is this high variability in services provided. Insurance companies do not wish to waste money. Large funding organizations wish to have predictable, measurable outcomes. Licensing Boards have established standards that need to be met.

As you will hear in the presentations, much of my work is researched. Years ago, I was lucky to raise interest in the German Military: They decided to examine the effectiveness and efficacy of my work. In order to support their interest, I needed to take out unpredictable elements: Variances in individual work with soldiers afflicted by combat PTS(d). To support their research, "my" work needed to be replicable by anybody, not just me and my team. It was necessary to develop a structure that allows for as much room as possible for individual client and horse factors while still making the same, predictable outcome possible for any providing team to "achieve" and/or facilitate.

Do I believe everyone "should" adhere to the described structured approach?

If you are coming from a non-psychotherapeutic perspective... maybe you are a teacher, or a coach, or a mindfulness instructor, or a riding instructor, and you simply want to learn more about how to work with horses in a setting when you will meet people who have suffered from trauma - and you simply want to be more trauma informed when working with horses in another capacity - then of course you may think that these "psychotherapy-parts" are unnecessary and the structure more inhibiting than enhancing.

I invite you, regardless of your professional background, to still consider the presented elements. They do, in my opinion, make it possible for beings to remain as they are - not in their behaviors, but in their essence. And in that, contribute to making equine assisted work more "predictable" and more measurable, to where, hopefully sometime, we all gain more credibility with those who decide on which people and so-called "dis-ordered" people treatments get funded.

I do believe that the structure I am presenting here allows for enough individuality in its execution. I do believe that the structure I am offering allows for a "safe" environment for all.

I invite you to see for yourself!

PS: The article below is NOT downloadable, as it has been published in a magazine requiring payment. Please feel free to read it - and please do NOT duplicate, print and/or distribute it, as it is copyrighted.