Adoption Today Magazine: Published December/January 2007
Connect, Reflect and Grow: The Magic of the Horse

Connect, Reflect and Grow: The Magic of the Horse

Karin appeared sad and discouraged. Having recently become part of The Equinox Program, this shy ten-year-old adoptee, was exploring issues surrounding personal power and assertiveness. Karin was grooming Jessie, a young Quarter Horse mare. Her assignment was to brush the horse and subsequently pick her hooves.

Karin gently slid her hand against the horse’s foreleg, yet despite her intentions the horse moved away from her soft touch and did not respond. The horse seemed confused.” I don’t know what to do now. Jessie is not doing what I want. No one ever listens to me!” Karin said hopelessly.

I was aware that Karin was preparing to quit. But she persisted despite her growing anger and frustration. Giving it one last try, she took a deep breath and attempted to lift the horse’s hoof once again. At the same time, she said in a stern and deliberate voice, “Lift your foot now, Jessie, or I will lift it for you.” This time Karin really meant it!

Finally, the willing horse understood and complied with what Karin had asked. Glowing with accomplishment, the young girl realized, “I think that Jessie didn’t obey because she didn’t get what I was asking. I suppose that happens because I am afraid of telling others what I want. Sometimes, I don’t know what I want”.

Karin smiled and continued the process of grooming the horse, observing and learning how her voice and actions influenced those around her. As a therapist, I supported her process and asked her to reflect on how this discovery could act as a metaphor in her life, family and relationships.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, or EAP, is a relatively new therapeutic modality that is becoming increasingly popular due to its interactive and experiential nature. It has been made more accessible thanks in part to the incredible work and ethical standards set by EAGALA, (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association). EAGALA regulates EAP by providing specialized training programs, workshops and standards for those who wish to practice psychotherapy in this unique field.

The main reason for this rise in popularity of EAP is that connecting with horses and nature has a special appeal for children, particularly those who may find it difficult to remain seated during a traditional therapeutic setting. EAP is more than learning horsemanship and riding; it is about uncovering subconscious emotions and empowering the individual through exploring boundaries, expressing trust, establishing rapport and increasing communication. I have found that this unconventional style of therapy is especially helpful when working with adoptive children and their families.

Therapeutic riding has been around for many decades. This type of therapy generally involves children in a physical manner, such as occupational or physical therapy, and focuses primarily on issues such as balance and sensory integration, and on increasing proprioceptive awareness. EAP is different, in that it focuses solely on emotional healing and relies mostly on “ground work” verses actual riding. EAGALA encourages that 95% of EAP be on the ground because it has suggested to be more effective in approaching emotional and psychological issues.

Why is EAP an effective therapeutic modality when dealing with adoptive children and their families? There are several reasons. Horses are very strong, powerful animals that are extremely effective at being “present in the moment”. (This has been attributed to the fact that they are sometimes preyed upon and must be constantly alert to avoid becoming dinner). This sensitivity, focus and perceptual acuity can impart incredible insights that are reflected back to us.

The horse’s ability to be attuned to their surrounding has immense benefits as it allows us to become more aware through them. By interacting with the horse, we can observe and become aware of what does or does not work. The horse reflects our internal world. If we are detached or aloof, the horse will teach us awareness and to pay attention. If we do not assert ourselves or are unaware of our boundaries, the horse will teach us personal space and determination. It is a very simple process that reflects cause and effect.

As an equine assisted psychotherapist, my primary goal in a session is to allow the horse its presence as a supreme teacher. I try not to interfere, as my presence is to support, observe and perhaps be a guide, provided it is absolutely necessary. It is the natural connection between the horse and child that is healing in and of itself. The process imparts truth and intention especially when the connection is unobstructed or restricted by a preconceived agenda or the limitations of the therapist.

This non-traditional therapeutic team, the horse, EAP and trained horse specialist, has incredible power and effectiveness with the adoptive community. Adoptive children sometimes encounter issues like loss, trust, abandonment, attachment, communication, lack of control and asserting personal power. These issues can be difficult to address in a conventional setting because of the child’s inability to verbalize his or her emotional state. EAP is captivating, fun and supportive, and encourages children to express themselves through the horse.

The horse is a master at dealing with issues that adoptive children experience at some point of their psychological growth and development. Attributes such as trust, boundaries and assertiveness are key characteristics that horses and adoptees share. The wisdom of this relationship is that the horse is able to reflect these feelings back to the child without disappointment, value or judgment. As a team, the horse, therapist, child and equine specialist, will address these issues and work through them experientially and interactively. The child will feel empowered, as the beloved animal, instead of a figure of authority, uncovers this new personal insight. The horse respects and embraces life, and loves unconditionally because it does not know anything else.

A second, but equally important aspect of the horse, is that this animal has the incredible ability to empower our children. Within our collective consciousness, its archetypal and mythic symbol has been that of Teacher, Sagittarian Warrior and Sage. When dealing with an animal that weighs generally about 1,300 pounds, it is very difficult for a child to discount and lose awareness of what this incredibly insightful and instinctual being has to impart. In order for the communication between child and horse to be effective, the voice of the child must be clear and strong. This will ultimately facilitate and encourage the child to trust in the power of his or her voice.

Lastly, EAP teaches responsibility, action, assertiveness and cooperation. Little can be accomplished in this arena if the child and horse do not work as a team and contribute equally in the process of growth and direction. That is why EAP is an important and effective tool for transforming family dynamics. Families become conscious of their contributions and dysfunctions and this awareness ordinarily leads to change and growth and ultimately healing.

For me, EAP has been an extremely helpful therapeutic tool. It has taught me gratitude, humility, passion, and respect for an animal that is always responsive, clear and without hidden motives. It has allowed me to see changes in children and their families, that I would never have imagined possible within the traditional therapeutic setting.

If you would like more information on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, I encourage you to visit EAGALA (www.EAGALA.org) for more information on practitioners that are certified in your area.

A Voice Through Art: 
Creativity and Self-Expression for the Adoptive Child

Michael was completely absorbed in the task of painting his family portrait. Occasionally, without taking his eyes off his work, he described the unique characteristics of each family member. After careful consideration, Michael gently set down his paintbrush. Tilting his head to the side, he wiped his eye and looked at me, “You know, I really do belong in my family. I was born to be with them.” He glanced down at his work and smiled with a renewed sense of confidence and insight.

Adoptive children encounter a myriad of unique and sometimes very difficult challenges during their childhood and adolescence. Traditional talk therapy can be ineffective due to the child’s inability to identify the source of these deeply imbedded feelings and perhaps his or her inability to verbalize inaccessible emotions. Using creative arts as a modality for self-expression encourages children to explore often-painful feelings and empower them through this interactive process. Art can act as a mirror and reflect these individual experiences, unique to the adoptive population. Betts comments in Creative Arts Therapies Approaches in Adoption and Foster Care (2003):  “Creative arts therapies assessment and treatment techniques represent a successful alternative to traditional approaches.”

Why is art an effective therapeutic tool? There are several reasons. Art and creativity are innate and universal modes of communication for every human being. Creativity has no boundaries or limitations; it represents a significant cross-cultural activity that all children use to communicate their experiences, desires, feelings, dreams and even insecurities. C.G. Jung, the first psychoanalyst who recognized the power of art and the creative forces, suggests that art provides “a direct line to the unconscious”. Through acknowledgement of our inner archetypes, images and symbols, we access a most powerful tool for transformation. Connecting with the unconscious, where all unknown and unexpressed feelings reside, allows children to empower themselves through bringing these emotions to awareness or consciousness. Nancy Verrier writes in The Primal Wound (1993):

“Many adopted children, perhaps especially those who are more withdrawn in other ways, are very creative. The products of their creativity can often contain clues to their true feelings. If it is not intrusive, it can be helpful to observe an adoptee’s art work, stories, poems and other creative endeavors. A parent has to be able to understand the symbolism involved, because the child is seldom aware of what he is “saying”. This can provide valuable clues as to what is going on inside the child, because art and poetry often come from the unconscious.”

Traditional talk therapy is sometimes inadequate in dealing with adoptive children. Therapists and counselors are often unaware of the special concerns that adoptees encounter through the various developmental stages of their childhood because these differences are very subtle. Dealing with loss, grief, fear of rejection and abandonment, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and identity integration, are a number of common challenges that adoptees may share. The way these feeling are expressed is extremely unique and individual to each adoptive child. The grieving process or loss of the biological parents presents other very unusual circumstances. For adoptees, there is no real closure in this process and many of their questions forever remain ambiguous and uncertain.

Creativity empowers the adoptive child by rewarding his natural or innate need for self-inquiry, boundary exploration or identity integration. It encourages the child’s natural and instinctual curiosity to discover more about self and biological heritage. Creativity engages the child and is responsive to his individual needs and uniqueness. Traditional therapy can do the same, provided you can find a professional who has specific knowledge in the adoption field. Traditional therapy can be an extremely valuable resource. I recommend that you find a resource that endorses a strengths and well-being model and a specialist who utilizes an interactive style that engages children.

Designing a costume can be very exciting and empowering.

Art as a therapeutic tool focuses primarily on a strengths and well-being model. Children are born integrated, whole and bubbling with potential. The adoptive child is perhaps straying from this inner insight or directive because of the compromised belief that something is not right with him or that these differences somehow lessen his worth. Childhood and early adolescence is a time for expanding self-awareness. It is a time to discover who you are, where you came from and what you are intended to do in this world. This underlying premise is the same for all children regardless of their background, experience or race.

What makes this an unusual situation for the adoptee is that much is inherently ambiguous about his or her past and will perhaps forever remain that way. How the adoptee comes to terms with this obscurity and his or her ability to process these feelings is of utmost importance. Identity integration, especially when you are dealing with interracial adoptions, can be tremendously challenging. The children look at their parents as a reflection of themselves and sometimes cannot emotionally adjust to the apparent external differences. Given the proper support and validation, the adoptive child manifests a deeper self-understanding because identity will not be dependent on race or biological heritage but on love and connection to family and community.

A minor limitation to traditional talk therapy is the inability for young children and adolescents to communicate and verbalize what they are experiencing internally. Communicating feelings is a skill we learn through experience and through parent and peer modeling. It is not a trait or characteristic that we are inherently born with. For adoptees, difficulties in communication can be compounded by existing factors related to their unique background, situation and challenges. As Brodzinsky claims, “Adoption issues are subtle and not readily expressed by children in therapy." (Children’s Adjustment to Adoption: Developmental and Clinical Issues, 1998.) It is extremely important to provide the adopted child a judgment-free, safe environment, where all feelings are embraced, accepted and ultimately validated.

Children are able to process nonverbally and symbolically when using art. The process of creating the project is healing in and of itself because the child is actively directing and guiding the journey and its outcome. The child is able to depict inner feelings in a space that is safe and judgment free. Being in the moment, body-centered and completely focused allows for deep introspection and psychological processing. The child can reconcile with feelings of fear, loss and grief simply by acknowledging their subconscious existence.

These feelings surface and are made conscious through the process of drawing, painting and discovering. No words with the counselor are needed for this process to yield incredibly profound results. By actively participating in the journey, the child gains a sense of control, and feels honored and empowered by achievement. Riley writes in Beneath the Mask (2005): “The issues surrounding adoption are often complex and confusing for the teen. Therapists must step beyond the realm of purely didactic exchange and utilize as many creative techniques to engage the adolescent and facilitate their understanding. These techniques can safely help to break down barriers and invite the adolescent to become an active partner along this therapeutic journey.”

Further acknowledgement of feelings can be made if the child would like to engage in discussion surrounding his or her art piece. Because the art is a reflection of the child's inner process, it makes verbalizing easier and sometimes even effortless. The child does not necessarily feel as if he is talking about himself. It is easier to communicate difficult or painful feelings when relating on a symbolic level. A secondary benefit of this type of articulation is that the child does not feel judged or scrutinized. After all, art and creativity are subjective.

Creativity as a therapeutic tool has one final benefit. Presenting the completed piece to the parent/s allows the child to further process and helps increase communication within the family. Learning to communicate with a therapist is not as useful if the child cannot use these skills in other areas of life. Having this knowledge extend to better skills relating to peers and family members encourages the adoptee to feel less isolated. Communicating with others in a confident, articulate and meaningful manner is a basic foundation to healthy relationships.

Lastly, creating art projects, such as decorating a bird or butterfly house, creating a costume, or adorning a mask, is generally great fun for most children. Frequently, the adoptive child is not aware that he is in “therapy” but believes that he is participating in a wonderfully exciting art adventure. It just happens that some of the topics relate to some very pertinent adoption concerns.

Much has changed in recent years concerning the way adoptive families are supported. Adoption support groups, alternative therapies and camps have surfaced to accommodate the unique needs of adoptive families through very innovative and exciting approaches. More emphasis has been placed on specializing in the field of adoption and on applying interactive modalities to initiate discussion, support and healing. Ever-expanding creative art therapy services can be found in a variety of organizations such as schools, hospitals, mental health centers, private clinics and adoption support centers.

Here are some creative projects you and your child can enjoy to facilitate deeper communication and discussion. Remember to be supportive, encouraging, and validating, regardless of what your child would like to express. Respecting the direction and intention of your child is the key to establishing good rapport and healthy communication.