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Equine-assisted therapy as an adjunctive method in the treatment of recurrent depressive disorder – a case report

Kinga Rucka,Katarzyna Zaborska,M. Talarowska

Published 2025 in Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna

ABSTRACT

Background: The term “animal-assisted therapy” refers to a range of methods in which animals accompany the treatment of patients with various somatic or mental disorders, while “equine-assisted psychotherapy” refers to sessions that involve a psychotherapist and an equine professional working alongside the animal, with the primary goal of improving the mental functioning of the patient. Materials and methods: The paper presents a case study of a 48-year-old female patient treated for symptoms of recurrent depressive disorder. A programme of five sessions was developed based on equine-assisted psychotherapy principles. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory, INTE Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory II, and UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist were used. Conclusions: A series of five sessions based on the equine-assisted psychotherapy principles led to a reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms as measured by the BDI-II scale and a positive change in dominant mood.

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