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What is EFMHA?
Code of Ethics
EFMHA Board of Directors
Benefits of membership to EFMHA/Join EFMHA
EFMHA Objectives
(EFP = Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy)

2006 EFMHA FACT SHEET
EFP Fact Sheet
EFP Efficacy
EFP Contraindications
EFP Precautions
Insurance Checklist
General Liability Insurance Information
Archives
Author Guidelines
Glossary of Terms
Join the EFMHA

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What is EFMHA? 

Our Mission
EFMHA's mission is to advance the field for individuals who partner with equines to promote human growth and development so that our members, clients and equines can succeed and flourish.

Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA) is a vibrant and fast growing section within NARHA. EFMHA promotes human growth and development by bringing people and equines together in mutually beneficial ways.

A very active NARHA section, EFMHA provides standards of professionalism and safety for people working in equine facilitated learning (EFL) and equine facilitated psychotherapy (EFP).

The equine is a critically important, sentient partner in the four-part team consisting of the equine, a mental health professional or educator, an equine specialist and a client.The participants or clients in equine facilitated learning or equine facilitated psychotherapy may include at-risk youth, victims of violence, veterans returning from war with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and people with many other mental health challenges. 

New EFMHA members have access to a broad range of resources, including:

• Immersion in the team approach to problem solving
• Training specific to the mental health and learning fields
• Opportunities for internships and mentoring
• Inclusion in a field of knowledgeable, seasoned professionals

Experienced mental health and learning team members can:

• Participate in advanced training
• Continue their professional understanding and implementation of NARHA’s ethics and standards
• Network with their peers and other professionals in the field of equine assisted activities and therapies.  

EFMHA members have access to all that NARHA offers as well as the unique programs targeted to those involved in equine facilitated mental health and learning.

 NARHA is an international voice for equine assisted activities and therapies.  As the premier organization advocating for and providing standards for safe and professional equine interactions, NARHA celebrates ability, optimism, diversity and a shared loved of equines. 

What are EFL and EFP?
EFL (equine facilitated learning) is an educational approach that includes equine facilitated activities incorporating the experience of equine/human interaction in an environment of learning or self discovery. EFL encourages personal explorations of feelings and behaviors to help promote human growth and development.

EFP (equine facilitated psychotherapy) is experiential psychotherapy that involves equines. It may include, but is not limited to, such mutually respectful equine activities as handling, grooming, longeing, riding, driving, and vaulting. EFP is facilitated by a licensed, credentialed mental health professional working with an appropriately credentialed equine professional. EFP may also be facilitated by a mental health professional who is also credentialed as an equine professional.

 

 

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