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Recovering from a psychological trauma is often a long process wherein reconnecting with others may be difficult. Motivation to reconnect with life may be lacking as the client faces the horror of what happened while simultaneously attempting to control PTSD symptoms. Utilizing qualitative, artistic-creative, and heuristic methodology, this thesis considers studies of equine-assisted therapies; the production piece, Walking With Horses , written by the author; and the author's personal experience to investigate how bonding with a horse supports one's resilience to work through the stages of recovery from trauma as outlined by Judith Herman in her book Trauma and Recovery. A relationship with horse strengthens one's perception of self and offers a means to experience trust and love. Horses can serve as attachment figures and meet self-object needs. Equine-facilitated psychotherapy is a modality that may be used as survivors work to establish safety, process remembrance and mourning, and reconnect with life.
Advisor: | Wallner, Lou Ann |
Commitee: | |
School: | Pacifica Graduate Institute |
School Location: | United States -- California |
Source: | MAI 51/04M(E), Masters Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Behavioral Sciences, Counseling Psychology, Clinical psychology |
Keywords: | |
Publication Number: | 1521889 |
ISBN: | 978-1-267-84771-3 |