Who We Are
The EFTA was created by a handful of therapists who wanted to utilize equine facilitated therapy to treat psychiatric disorders in adults and children. When they looked for a certification or training program in EFT they became concerned. Most existing programs today originated with horse trainers and handlers for the purpose of certifying individuals to perform therapeutic riding for clients with physical disabilities. This is an honorable and effective form of treatment for physical disabilities. But horseback riding is not necessarily therapeutic for mental health disorders. By contrast, EFTA was created by therapists solely for the purpose of treating mental illness.
There are many different philosophies and models for performing animal assisted psychotherapy. The philosophy outlined here is specific to the EFTA model.
Only a licensed mental health professional can provider therapy.
One of the main reasons for creating the EFTA certification process was to ensure that therapy was only being provided by properly trained and licensed mental health professionals. Equine therapy performed by people who are not mental health professionals can seriously put the entire model at risk and possibly cause psychological damage to clients.
Only mental health professionals are trained to recognize and address:
- serious thought disorders
- suicidal ideations
- homicidal ideations
- post traumatic stress disorder
- antisocial behaviors
- mood disorders
- eating disorders
- and many other serious issues
Any certification program which suggests people unlicensed to practice psychotherapy can effectively treat mental health issues is misleading, irresponsible and dangerous. Certifying a layperson to treat mental illness can create serious problems:
- Clients can be psychologically harmed.
- The layperson may have criminal charges filed against them for practicing therapy without a license.
- The integrity of EFT is compromised as a valid form of treatment for psychological disorders and licensed practitioners will no longer be able to utilize it.
- The public is mislead to think that anyone with a horse can treat mental illness.
This is why the EFTA only certifies licensed mental health professionals who are in good standing with their state board to conduct EFT.
For more information about the benefits of becoming certified through the EFTA please see our Certification page. For more information about the process of becoming certified with EFTA and what is required please visit our Certification Process page.
