Psychodynamic Based Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Adults with Intertwined Personality Problems and Traumatization:...

Area of Science:

• Psychotherapy research
• Animal-assisted interventions
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an emerging field within animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP).
• There is a need for theoretically-based clinical studies in EAP.
• Existing research often lacks methodological rigor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review clinical studies on EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy in adult populations.
• To identify studies on EAP for personality disorders and traumatization.
• To analyze EAP interventions, outcomes, and therapeutic assets.

Main Methods:

• Systematic electronic database search divided into two parts.
• Study 1: EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy.
• Study 2: EAP for personality problems and traumatization.

Main Results:

• No relevant clinical studies found for EAP with a psychodynamic background in adults.
• 12 publications reviewed, predominantly on veterans with PTSD.
• Methodological limitations restrict outcome findings, but positive experiential effects and interpersonal trust were noted.

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists in methodologically sound clinical studies on psychodynamic EAP for adults with personality issues and trauma.
• EAP demonstrates potential benefits in experiential aspects and fostering interpersonal trust.
• Further high-quality research is essential to validate psychodynamic EAP approaches.