EMDR and equine-assisted psychotherapy: A retrospective mixed-methods case series
This retrospective case series examined clinical outcomes associated with two programmes that integrated EMDR therapy with Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) for individuals with trauma-related mental health symptoms.
Article Abstract
“Background: This retrospective case series examined clinical outcomes associated with two programmes that integrated Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) for individuals in psychotherapy for trauma-related mental health symptoms. There is limited peer-reviewed research that has examined the integration of EMDR therapy and EAP to assess their effectiveness in reducing trauma-related mental health symptoms.
Methods: The study included de-identified clinical progress notes from two programmes (N = 16) that provided integrated therapy of EMDR+EAP. Data were collected over a 14-month period and analysed using an adaptation of the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), with scores ranging from −2 to +2, to assess treatment progress from pre- to midtreatment and from pre- to posttreatment. Session characteristics and pretreatment symptom severity were summarised descriptively.
Results: All participants had negative scores at pretreatment. By midtreatment, 56.3% of participants had achieved a score of 0 or higher. At posttreatment, 50% of participants demonstrated outcomes at the expected level or better (GAS scores ≥ 0). Consequently, the proportion of participants with negative scores decreased from 100% at pretreatment to 50% at posttreatment.
Discussion: The findings provide preliminary support for the integration of EMDR+EAP. Several limitations should be noted, including the retrospective design, lack of a comparison group, inconsistent measurement procedures and variability in treatment delivery; further controlled research is warranted to clarify mechanisms and comparative effectiveness.
Highlights – Implications for Practice
Highlights – Implications for Policy
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Martin, A., Choe, K., Atkins, T., Battise, J., Collins, C., Gurley, D., Odoms, C., Robertson, C., Robinson, P., Scott, S., Thompson-Janis, J., Tonkin, C., & Carbajal, J. (2026). EMDR and equine-assisted psychotherapy: A retrospective mixed-methods case series. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 26(3): e70225. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70225(opens in new tab)
About the Journal
“Counselling & Psychotherapy Research (CPR) is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice, and aims to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.”
—Description from publisher
Date
September 20, 2026
Creator(s)
Amanda Martin, Kathleen Choe, Tiffany Atkins
Contributor(s)
Jonelle Battise, Christy Collins, Dayna Gurley, Crystal Odoms, Crystal Robertson, Pearl Robinson, Shanta Scott, Jane Thompson-Janis, Cheyenne Tonkin, Jose Carbajal
Practice & Methods
Animal-Assisted Therapy, Integrative Therapies
Extent
13 pages
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Rights
© 2026 The Author(s). Counselling and Psychotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
APA Citation
Martin, A., Choe, K., Atkins, T., Battise, J., Collins, C., Gurley, D., Odoms, C., Robertson, C., Robinson, P., Scott, S., Thompson-Janis, J., Tonkin, C., & Carbajal, J. (2026). EMDR and equine-assisted psychotherapy: A retrospective mixed-methods case series. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 26(3): e70225. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70225
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
