Healing with Horses: Milieu Therapists’ Perspectives on Psychotherapy with Horses for Patients with Substance Use Disorders

This study explored milieu therapists’ perspectives on equine-assisted psychotherapy for patients with substance use disorders in a milieu-therapeutic context. Through qualitative interviews with six milieu therapists, their perceptions of the therapy’s effects on patients and its integration with the wider treatments were examined. One of the therapists and the equine specialist involved in the psychotherapy sessions were also interviewed to provide deeper insight into the therapy. The results indicate that milieu therapists perceived equine-assisted psychotherapy as seemingly contributing to improved emotional regulation, greater self-awareness and mastery, as well as enhanced cooperation, trust, and a sense of belonging. The therapists found that the therapy could possibly complement other treatment modalities and strengthen the overall therapeutic process. The findings resonate with existing research on psychotherapy with horses and aligns with a milieu-therapeutic framework.