DEFINITION:
“An experiential learning therapeutic method using equines (horses and/or ponies) as mediators between a patient or client and a Psychotherapist or facilitator trained in this field. Can treat people with mental health related conditions (psychotherapy) or people who want to achieve well defined existential goals (coaching; learning; personal development).”
BASED ON THREE FUNDAMENTAL BUILDING BLOCKS
1. Experiential learning between humans and equines through simple exercises. It has been proven that 80% of what we perform is stored / memorized in us, making this method very effective in all types of interventions, both in the areas of mental health and human development. International studies confirm that equine assisted interventions increase the speed and success of the therapeutic process when compared with other more "classical" approaches. We found the same to be true in the use of Kiron Method®.
2. Equine Ethology. The study of equine psychology and behaviour in their natural environment is fundamental to understand their attitudes in sessions with humans. Our reference in terms of equine ethology is the work of British zoologists, Dr.Lucy Rees and Dr. Marthe Kiley-Worthington. In Kiron Method® we work with horses in freedom and in a herd in order to maintain their physical and mental well-being, so their interaction with humans is genuinely faithful to their natural bearing. Regarding the training of horses as co-facilitators we have our own methodology derived from "natural horsemanship", namely the freedom approach of Dr. Carolyne Resnick and Dr. Klaus Hempfling.
3. The mirror-horse and the mediator-horse. It explains how horses become powerful "partner-therapists" to human facilitators, helping "translate" to patients / clients their dynamics created in a session so that they can implement the necessary changes within themselves.
HOW DOES KIRON METHOD® - EQUINE ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS (EAI) WORKS?
Through three fundamental features:
1. Exercises and activities especially designed to address the patient’s (client) condition that parallel his own life; these activities are executed with the equines in the presence of the therapeutic duo: therapist / coach and equine expert.
Here are some examples for the application of these specially designed exercises: grounding technique, to feel more present, to increase one’s energy or on the contrary to be able to contain it, to act as a leader but not in a dominant type of relationship, to exert a clear and precise intention, to feel the focus and the strength of mental visualization, to test nonverbal communication, to remain present within yourself while also attentive to listening to others, to welcome emotions and intuition, to be non-judgmental... etc. There so many possibilities.
2. The presence of the therapist and the equine expert. All these experiences only make sense when occurring in the presence of a team of specialists duly trained in this method.
“The mere contact between a person in difficulty and a horse does not constitute therapy. We need a third element: the therapist."
Renée de Lubersac (Thérapie avec le cheval” – Ed. Fentac – 2000)
3. Psico-corporal practice: Due to the horse capacity to “read” our behaviors, we, humans are automatically connected to our mind/body issues during sessions. That is the reason why I called my approach “Kiron method”, since the centaur represents the perfect union between:
- The Human and the Equine
- The body and the mind
- The instinct, the intuition and the reason
It is this wisdom of Kiron that integrates the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of the individual so that he evolves into a wiser being who is aware of his personal power.
The Kiron method® is the equine assisted intervention that I have created in Portugal. The intervention model is conducted exclusively with horses and ponies at liberty that live in large spaces, where I tried to recreate life most similarly to freedom in nature. They are free to choose whether or not to participate in a session depending on the customer’s behavior and/or the will of the equine at that moment. Depending on the personality of each one, we have horses that like to participate in certain sessions more than others. One likes to be with teenagers, one with small children, one does not like touchy people… Some like to be brushed, others not so much… Some like galloping, others prefer staying still… We try to respect the personality and disposition of each one. The horse or pony who is physically or emotional unwell does not participate in sessions. With horses who come to us with traumas issues, we take the necessary time so they can overcome their pain. If we sense they don't want to interact with humans, we give them the necessary time (sometimes years) that they need to regain their trust into human beings. I can give here an example of a case that illustrates this theme about the horse´s freedom to interact if he wants to: I remember a hysterical lady who always wanted to be the center of the world’s attention. My horse, Meiguinho is dear and very fond of being pampered. He withstood 15 minutes cuddles, talk and stroking; giving the lady his full attention until he grew tired and pulled away from her. Her reaction was to be angry with the horse and called him selfish… Good thing he had enough, for he enabled the patient to become aware of her impossible emotional demands grounded on a hyper narcissistic personality.
The Kiron method® is based, among other topics, on the myth of the Centaur Chiron, the archetype of the wounded therapist. In this model, we assume that every therapist must go through a long continuous work on himself in order to help others. I consider it is necessary (and required for graduation) to go through several hours of equine assisted therapy and a few hours of supervision. It is essential that future facilitators invest in their own therapeutic process using this approach. This way they will understand and transform their own problems, enabling them to recognize possible future counter-transferences with their patients/clients, besides certain projections on equines. To this day, thirteen monographies have been completed, signalling the graduation of their respective writers.
So far, in the past 16 years, we have been working with 6000 patients, 1500 families, 600 children and 500 teenagers. Since July 2013, we have been working with more than 2000 patients with addiction issues.
Since 2008, we have been providing daily consultations to individuals, families, couples, groups and companies. Although we believe that each case is different, here are the pathologies that have been treated in equine-assisted psychotherapy:
- mood disorders
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders
- sleep disorders;
- disruptive behavior and attention deficit disorders;
- addictive behaviors such as drug addiction,
- certain personality disorders such as delinquent behavior;
- some psychotic disorders;
- dysfunctions in the couple and/or family.
In equine-assisted coaching, learning and human development, the topics covered are:
- effective communication
- leadership
- group dynamics
- professional and personal goals
- fears
- lack of trust in self and others
- boundaries
- clarity of intention
- inner strength
- determination and other themes.
In conclusion, and based on our experience and knowledge of the past ten years, we can say that equines are amazing therapist partners. They are noble, sensitive and kind beings that we should treat with dignity and respect. Let’s ask the proper questions regarding them, such as:
• Am I giving my horse the life he deserves?
• Can I change/improve his life?
• Is he happy?
• Does he enjoy being ridden?
And last but not least the big question:
• What does he have to teach me about myself?
As mentioned before, earlier civilizations such as Celts, Greeks and Native Americans venerated horses and benefited from them as master- therapists.
Now our time has come!
Bibliografy:
Chevalier J. e Gheerbarant A.: “Dictionary of symbols” – Paris 1982
Durel N.: “Therapist horse, my journey with horses” – Ed. Madocromia - 2016
Jung C.G: “Modern Man in Search of a Soul” – London - 1933
Rees L.: “The Horse's Mind” – 1985
Comentarios