Psychodynamic Based Equine—Assisted Psychotherapy in Adults with Intertwined Personality Problems and Traumatization: A Systematic Review

Géza Kovács, Annemiek van Dijke and Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers
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Géza Kovács: Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
Annemiek van Dijke: Online poli’s I-psy psyQ Brijder, Parnassia Group, Schipholpoort 20, 2034 MA Haarlem, The Netherlands
Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers: Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. Study 1 revealed no relevant clinical studies on EAP with a psychodynamic background with an adult population. Study 2 revealed 12 publications to review predominantly addressing veterans with PTSD. The methodological limitations of most of the studies restrain the overall findings on outcome. However, overall positive effects for EAP, specifically on its experiential features and on finding interpersonal trust for patients, can be discerned. There is an apparent need for clinical studies meeting methodological standards on psychodynamic underpinned EAP methodologies in adults with intertwined personality problems and traumatization.

Keywords: equine-assisted psychotherapy; psychodynamic psychotherapy; personality problems; traumatization; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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