The purpose of this research is for the multi-disciplinary team at an inpatient psychiatric hospital to investigate more innovative ways to engage service users in order to promote wellbeing and emotional regulation. In particular, there is a focus on engaging patients who do not routinely engage with the Psychology Team. As such, we are aiming to explore the effectiveness of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) with the service users on a specialist Personality Disorder ward. EAP is the deliberate inclusion of an equine (e.g. horse, alpaca) amongst a therapy team to improve patient outcomes. This therapy team includes a mental health professional and certified equine specialist, along with equine(s) and client(s). EAP can offer specific psychotherapeutic treatment goals such as addressing trauma and emotion dysregulation. The presence of an equine removes the need for verbal communication, which allows for non-verbal approaches that support self-development; identifying and discussing the feelings, emotions and behaviours generated through interaction with the horse. The presence of equine also provides a unique opportunity for traumatised individuals to build trust with other sentient beings that value connection, safety, and trust. These specific psychotherapeutic treatment goals are especially relevant for those with a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). Service users with EUPD present with complex mental health difficulties, often with problems with emotional regulation, attachment, and self-harm. This research will use a qualitative, single arm design in which all participants (inpatients who have received an Emotionally Unstable personality Disorder diagnosis) engage in a novel psychotherapeutic intervention (6 sessions of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy). Their experiences of this psychotherapeutic intervention will be explored using semi-structured interviews. Researchers and participants will collaborate in using Thematic Analysis to analyse the content of these interviews.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Perception of Emotional Regulation
Timeframe: From enrolment to 1 week after end of last Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy session. This should be a maximum of 8 weeks in total.
Perception of Connection to Others
Timeframe: From enrolment to 1 week after end of last Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy session. This should be a maximum of 8 weeks in total.
General Experience of Therapeutic Intervention
Timeframe: From first therapy session to one week after the last Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy session. Up to 7 weeks in total.
Perception of how Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy compares to other therapies.
Timeframe: From first therapy session to one week after the last Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy session. Up to 7 weeks in total.