The Relationship between Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Client-Therapist Attachment on Symptom Reduction

Purpose: The current study examines the efficacy of Equine-assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), an alternative form of treatment for individuals who struggle to connect with traditional forms of therapy, with Traditional Psychotherapy (TP).The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to determine if attachment to a therapist differs between the method of treatment (EAP v TP) and if the attachment has an impact on levels of anxiety and levels of depression in participants. Methodology: The study employed a non-randomized Quasi-Experimental two-group design. Participants who received TP (n = 45) or EAP (n = 45) were administered the Client Attachment to Therapist Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. The research questions were tested using a mixed design 2 (treatment group [EAP v PT]) x 2 (Pretest /Post-test) ANOVA. Findings: The results indicated both of treatment conditions produced significant and beneficial changes in Attachment, Anxiety, and Depression from Pretest to Post-test. In addition, significant Group x Time interactions indicated the EAP group achieved significantly greater symptoms reduction over time.