Open AccessAPPLICATION OF ATTACHEMENT THEORY TO EQUINE-FACILITATED THERAPY
Author(s) -
Aviva Vincent,
Kathleen J. Farkas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
society register
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2544-5502
DOI - 10.14746/sr.2017.1.1.02
Subject(s) - foundation (evidence) , context (archaeology) , mental health , empirical research , attachment theory , psychology , value (mathematics) , psychological theory , psychotherapist , engineering ethics , social psychology , epistemology , computer science , political science , engineering , paleontology , philosophy , machine learning , law , biology
Over the past two decades there has been a growing body of evidence, clinical and anecdotal, that equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) is a powerful tool for social workers and mental health clinicians. Recent research studies have begun to identify, name, and explain the mechanisms of EFT as a treatment tool for individual clients. However, EFT lacks a unified theoretical foundation; many studies lack an explicit theory altogether. Strong empirical support begins with a strong theoretical foundation, the research field lacks a unified voice for the scientific value of EFT. Attachment theory can guide the understanding of how EFT operates and can support more rigorous inquiry to evaluate its effect in mental health treatment. This article reviews the human-horse relationship in the context of attachment theory and concludes with a recommendation for research to strengthen the empirical base of EFT in social work practice.