August 23, 2024

In this intriguing article featured in U.S. Veterans Magazine, we learn about a new approach to helping Veterans break through trauma and repressed emotions: horseback psychotherapy (clinically known as psychotherapy incorporating equine, or PIE).

PIE takes equine-assisted therapy—which involves individuals working with horses, often grooming or feeding them, or simply being in their presence—a step further. In a PIE session, the patient is guided through a psychotherapy session while riding horseback with the help of a handler. The therapist looks to the horse for clues that will provide insight into the patient’s state of mind. Oxford Treatment Center’s Dr. Katie Holtcamp details how these sessions can help Veterans who are used to repressing their emotions learn to uncover their feelings and work through them. Read the full article here.