Working Alliances in Counselling and Psychotherapy Incorporating Horse Interactions.
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| Title: | Working Alliances in Counselling and Psychotherapy Incorporating Horse Interactions. |
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| Authors: | Pasiuk, Emma Leigh, Schroeder, Katy, Stellato, Anastasia C. |
| Source: | Counselling & Psychotherapy Research. Jun2025, Vol. 25 Issue 2, p1-5. 5p. |
| Subjects: | Psychotherapy, Pet therapy, Mental health services, Data analysis, Questionnaires, Treatment effectiveness, Allied health personnel, Patient-professional relations, Psychometrics, Statistics, Therapeutic alliance, Counseling, Interpersonal relations, Horses, Regression analysis, Evaluation |
| Abstract: | Introduction: The relational bond between client and therapist in mental healthcare, referred to as the working alliance, can influence treatment effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Counselling and psychotherapy that incorporates horse interactions and equine specialists (ES) introduces complex relational dynamics. Methods: To investigate working alliances in these settings, we developed and tested a survey instrument to collect working alliance scores with each team member (mental health provider [MHP], ES, and therapy horses), demographic characteristics, and other service‐related variables (e.g., facilitators' working relationship). We used the Working Alliance Inventory—Short Revised (WAI‐SR) to measure the working alliance between participants and their MHP and ES and the bond domain with their horse. Items were modified and created to assess the unique roles of ES and horses. Results: A Wilcoxon signed‐rank test revealed no significant differences in bond scores between MHP and ES (p = 0.52). Linear regressions indicated that working alliance scores with each team member were positively associated with participants' perceptions of their facilitation team working relationship. Conclusion: Future research should explore the validity of the instrument and how clients' perceptions of team member relationships influence therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: The relational bond between client and therapist in mental healthcare, referred to as the working alliance, can influence treatment effectiveness and clinical outcomes. Counselling and psychotherapy that incorporates horse interactions and equine specialists (ES) introduces complex relational dynamics. Methods: To investigate working alliances in these settings, we developed and tested a survey instrument to collect working alliance scores with each team member (mental health provider [MHP], ES, and therapy horses), demographic characteristics, and other service‐related variables (e.g., facilitators' working relationship). We used the Working Alliance Inventory—Short Revised (WAI‐SR) to measure the working alliance between participants and their MHP and ES and the bond domain with their horse. Items were modified and created to assess the unique roles of ES and horses. Results: A Wilcoxon signed‐rank test revealed no significant differences in bond scores between MHP and ES (p = 0.52). Linear regressions indicated that working alliance scores with each team member were positively associated with participants' perceptions of their facilitation team working relationship. Conclusion: Future research should explore the validity of the instrument and how clients' perceptions of team member relationships influence therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 14733145 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/capr.70025 |
