Compulsive Behaviors Treatment

Do compulsive behaviors control your life? Or your loved one`s? Are you constantly battling urges, only to find temporary relief followed by a stronger pull back into the cycle? Here at Healing Hooves Therapy, we offer a unique and effective approach to compulsive behavior treatment: Equine-Facilitated Therapy (EFT).

What is Compulsive Behavior?

Compulsive behaviors are repetitive actions or mental rituals that you feel driven to perform, even if they have negative consequences. These behaviors can take many forms, including:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that cause significant distress or interfere with daily life.
• Trichotillomania (hair pulling): The uncontrollable urge to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or other areas of the body.
• Skin Picking: Repeatedly picking at your skin, leading to scabbing and scarring.
• Substance Abuse: Compulsively using drugs or alcohol despite negative consequences.
• Binge Eating Disorder: Uncontrolled episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time.
• Gambling Addiction: The uncontrollable urge to gamble despite negative financial, social, or personal consequences.

How Can Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) Help?

Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) provides a safe and supportive environment to explore the root causes of your compulsive behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Through interaction with horses, you’ll gain valuable insights and build the skills you need to break free from the cycle. Here’s how:

• Increased Self-Awareness: Horses are incredibly perceptive creatures who react authentically to your emotions. This immediate, non-judgmental feedback helps you identify triggers, underlying feelings, and patterns in your behavior.
• Building Confidence and Trust: Horses require clear communication and boundaries. As you learn to establish these with your equine partner, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to manage your emotions and set healthy boundaries in other areas of your life.
• Developing Emotional Regulation Skills: Interaction with horses can be calming and grounding. By learning to connect with these gentle giants, you’ll develop skills to manage stress, anxiety, and urges in a healthy way.
• Mindfulness and Present Moment Focus: The horse-human connection thrives in the present moment. Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) sessions will help you become more mindful of your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to interrupt negative thought patterns and focus on the present.