Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) for Addiction | Proposal

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) for Addiction | Proposal Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP): Can EAP help in the treatment of addiction? If one looks at the statistics for addiction, it is staggering. The annual cost to the NHS for alcohol abuse alone is  £3 billion, with an estimated population of recreational or addicted users of illicit drugs at 50 million (â€Å"Breaking the cycle,† 2006). The annual cost to Wales and England from drug abuse is greater than  £18.8 billion (â€Å"Breaking the cycle,† 2006). Goodman (1990) defines addiction to include the addict’s inability or failure to control their own behaviour and the continuation of said behaviour despite the presence of negative behavioural consequences. Addictions address many forms of deviant behaviour ranging from recreational or pharmaceutical drug use to gambling to sex to overeating. While the mechanism of addiction may vary, the profile of the addict is similar. Therefore, treatments to effectively treat addictions are critical. Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or the use of pharmaceutical agents are often prescribed to treat the addict, both of these methods are costly, can prove invasive and are time consuming than EAP, one of the newer alternative treatments for addicts (â€Å"Horse power, 2005). The origins of EAP began over 200 years ago when German physicians employed horseback riding for the treatment of hysteria related mental illness (Riede, 1988 as cited by Frewin Gardiner, 2005). While the employment of horseback riding has been shown to help the physical, psychomotor and psychological realms of the patient, EAP does not include horseback riding. Instead it incorporates exercises using the horse as a barometer. Researchers (Christensen, 2006; Schultz, Remick-Barlow Robbins, 2007; Frewin and Gardiner, 2005; Vidrine, Owen-Smith Faulkner, 2002) tell us that horses provide an immediate sense of feedback through their actions to the addict, often called mirroring that allows the addict to immediately realize what it is in their own behaviour that cause the reaction it did in the horse. â€Å"The client is encouraged to use interpretation and insight so that they can start developing new ways of being around the horse,† with themselves and in society. This allows the therapist to both see the horse as a therapeutic aid, but also a more important diagnostic tool (Thompson, 2005). Research (Thompson, 2005; â€Å"Equine assisted activities, 2006) tells us that when the patient learns how to connect with and automatically control the horse, they have the opportunity to learn how to control and better understand themselves. Mann and Williams (2002 as cited by Frewin Gardiner, 2005) cite an 82 percent improvement rate in conduct, mood and psychotic manifestations in patients who have tried conventional therapies for many years. The EAP basis for treatment of addictions believes that if you act on an addiction, you are most likely not connected to your own sense of emotions and self. Connecting with the horse requires that you do (Lavender, 2005 as cited by Thompson, 2005). EAP has been successfully used in the treatment of addiction by many famous dramatic personalities, such as Sophie Anderton, Be Affleck, Christian Slater and Robert Downey Jr. (Thompson, 2005) helping to increase their sense of â€Å"self-esteem, personal confidence, interpersonal effectiveness, trust, boundaries and limit setting† all of which are lacking in the addict, creating the weakness and dependency on detrimental substances or behaviour. Many addicted individuals do not seek treatment; however, for those that do, often the wait is 18 months or longer due to the limited funding for mental health treatment in the UK (â€Å"Addition Today,† 2007) whereas EAP is available at The Priory, a north London clinic. As alternatives to standard NHS sponsored CBT and pharmaceutical treatment are sorely needed, this dissertation proposes research into the effectivity of EAP in the treatment of addiction. Aims This dissertation asks the following research questions: Is it possible to prove the therapeutic efficacy of EAP? Is EAP an effective and quicker therapeutic substitute for the treatment of addictions than cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)? Is EAP helpful in the treatment of addictions? Based on answering these research questions this dissertation seeks to prove the following two hypotheses: Those suffering from addictions find EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic technique for the treatment of their addictions. Those providing treatment find EAP an ethical approach to the treatment of addictions. Method Research for this dissertation will consist of a formal literature review and a dual-leg qualitative study. The literature review will be conducted using a series of academic searches for information through library systems, online academic systems and other subscription based professional research databases, such as Questia or Highbeam. Similarly, professional psychological and medical sites and associations will be reviewed for current literature as well as those professional sites developed for specialized research into alcohol addiction and related topics. Governmental, national and world health associations will also be reviewed for current literature as well as research and development efforts and governmental initiatives. All articles chosen must be written in English, be published in the last 15 years, be published in professional journals and be authored by credible and qualified professionals in their respective fields. Following the literature review, this researcher will conduct a dual leg qualitative study composed of both interpersonal interviews and a survey instrument. Addicts who have participated in both standard treatment and EAP will be utilized for interviews and will be recruited through notices posted at EAP treatment centres, 12 step recovery meeting. After signing appropriate waivers for both taping the interviews and potentially using quotations as appropriate from interviews, interviewees will be asked a series of questions designed to elicit open-ended responses. All care will be taken to prevent researcher bias by asking each participant the same questions in the same manner and order. Survey participants will be comprised of therapists specialising in addiction and will be recruited through direct mailings to therapists and therapy centres specialising in addiction with questions on the instrument focusing on treatment for addiction, efficacy of CBT, efficacy of pharmaceutical ag ents, efficacy of EAP and the ethical considerations of each treatment modality. Although a phenomenological approach has limitations due to potential researcher bias in theme identification and in participants self-reporting what they believe the research wants to hear, Gorgio (2002, p. 136) believes effective researchers can identify and obtain â€Å"a clarification of the conditions from human subjects the descriptive phenomenological method implements this strategy. Indeed, it is an extension of the very spirit of science.† Ashworth (2003, p. 145) tells us that phenomenological psychology in the UK focuses on the interrogation of real world experiences, such that both participant and researcher can focusing on the problems or situation and apply meaning based on context and content. Analysis Consistent with a phenomenological approach, the analysis will be performed through the use of theme identification when reviewing group interview transcripts from which to prove or disprove the dissertation hypothesis. Questionnaires will be statistically analysed using frequency distributions based on the Likert-scale responses. Workplan *May vary slightly due to holiday schedules References The Addiction Recovery Foundation. (2007). Addiction Today. Retrieved 14 August 2007, from The Addiction Recovery Foundation website: http://www.addictiontoday.org Ashworth, P. (2003). An approach to phenomenological psychology: The contingencies of lifeworld. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 34(2), 145 – 156. Breaking the Cycle of Addiction. (2006). The Living Room. Retrieved 14 August 2007, from The Living Room website: http://thelivingroom.me.uk/stats.htm Christensen, M. (2006, 25 April). The healing power of horses: Equine therapy helps emotionally distressed. Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho). Retrieved 14 August 2007, from the Highbeam professional database website: http Equine assisted activities. (2006). Palaestra, 22(3), 48. Frewin, K. Gardiner, B. (2005). New age or old sage? A review of equine assisted psychotherapy. Australian Journal of Counselling and Psychology, 6, 13 – 17. Goodman, A. (1990). Addiction: Definition and implications. British Journal of Addiction, 85(11), 1403 – 1408. Gorgio, A. (2002). The question of validity in qualitative research. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 33(4), 135-147. Horse power; Olivia Stewart-Liberty was at the end of her tether until she tried a new therapy thats already a hit in Hollywood. Meet the four-legged therapist who got her back in the saddle. (2005, 18 November). The Evening Standard (London, England). Retrieved 14 August 2007, from the Highbeam professional database website: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2581505.html Schultz, P. N., Remick-Barlow, G. A. Robbins, L. (2007). Equine assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health and Social Care in the Community 15(3), 265 – 271. Thompson, J. (2005, 23 October). The Priory enlists horses to treat the anxious, the angry and the † The Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 14 August 2007, from The Findarticles database website: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20051023/ai_n15720133 Vidrine, M. I., Owen-Smith, P. Faulkner, P. (2002). Equine-facilitated group psychotherapy: Applications for therapeutic vaulting. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 23(6), 587 – 603.

The Influence of Sigmund Freud on Society Essay -- Essays Papers Sigmu

The Influence of Sigmund Freud on Society The late nineteenth century marked a number of radical developments on science, art, and philosophy. Although the lives of humans used to be constantly at the mercy of nature, during this time, humans began harnessing its power and eventually started controlling it. A sudden urge to look beyond the surface of things became widespread. Sigmund Freud looked beyond the effects of behavior and explored the unconscious. He significantly changed the way the world viewed behavior by explaining certain levels of consciousness, the components of the unconscious mind, and different developmental phases. Sigmund, son of Amalia and Jacob Freud, was born on May 6, 1856 in Freiburg, a rural town which was then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A confused child, he experienced extreme love, desire, and hate which ultimately inspired him to study human development. School consumed virtually all of Freud's time until he graduated from the University of Vienna in 1881, with a degree in medicine (Stevenson). Freud began experimenting with hypnosis and asking his patients to freely speak while being hypnotized. In this he discovered the existence of an unconscious. Freud referred to this as "free association" and soon began using it with patients who were not hypnotized but merely in a relaxed state. While his patients spoke he found their unconscious minds were releasing memories, sometimes painful ones, that had been trapped within their minds since childhood. He called this uncovering of memories psychoanalysis (Myers 420). In his experimentation with the unconscious mind, Freud discovered three levels of consciousness. The first is consciousness. This i... ...sible to find clear solutions to problems without blaming people. These and other discoveries of Freud's changed the world in many ways. It was then possible to understand the origin of behavior and how to change it. Psychoanalysis opened doors to the unconscious mind and gave reasons for certain behavior. The work of Sigmund Freud was only a small portion of the gradual control over nature that humans began possessing at the turn of the century, yet in the world of psychology this was quite a large step. Works Cited - Myers, David G. Psychology. Holland: Worth Publishers, 1998. "Sigmund Freud" <http://oldsci.eiu.edu/psychology/Spensor/Freud.html> (31 March 1998). - Stevenson, David B. "Sigmund Freud: The Father of Psychoanalysis." http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/...dow/HTatBrown/freud/Biography.html> (31 March 1998).

Pat Tillman Essay

Patrick Daniel Tillman Jr. was a recognizable professional American athlete who played football for the Arizona Cardinals. In may 2002, eight months after the devastating September 11th attacks, Tillman turned down a three-year $3.6 million contract to serve in the United States Army. While competing various tours over the years in the Middle East, Tillman was redeployed in Afghanistan. On April 22, 2004, Pat Tilman was killed in the line of duty. â€Å"Tillman died courageously while charging uphill to save his platoon from an ambush.† This report came from the pentagon, but was later revealed that the United States Army had embellished the story. The statement was fabricated to hide the truth behind his death. The real story unfolded after evidence determined that Pat Tillman was killed from friendly fire. This evidence undermined the reports surrounding Tilman’s death and questioned what really happened that day. It took the Army five weeks to release information regarding the real cause of death of Pat Tillman. When the Army released the news to the public, it shocked many including his family. However, they didn’t provide much detail to the public other than that he was killed by â€Å"friendly fire†. Afterwards, they provided his family with further evidence surrounding their son’s death. They gave his family a box of 3,000 detailed pages from the incidence, but was so confusing the family stated, â€Å"it was almost like trying to put together a crossword puzzle.† The documents specified that at the location Pat was killed there was an RPG (rocket propelled grenade) attack on their unit from an ambush of twenty Taliban fighters. However, this information was misleading to everyone because not a single Ranger besides Tillman was wounded during this attack. Further evidence provided that none of the vehicles were damaged. As more evidence emerged it was clear that what really happened was far from what was told. Before this occurrence, Tillman’s regiment was exploring the mountainous regions of Afghanistan. One of their vehicles broke down and their platoon was ordered to split up. Tilman and another army companion, Byran O’Neal, decided to stop near a local village near a narrow mountain path. They climbed up a hill in an attempt to recognize where they were. They were also accompanied with a friendly Afghan soldier to help guide them through the rugged terrain. They soon spotted one of their Humvees that appeared around the bend. Shots soon rang and eight bullet holes impacted the Afghan Solider. Pat and the O’Neal tried to hide behind a rock for cover. With a 50-caliber gun shooting in their direction Tillman was waving his arms shouting, â€Å"Cease fire, friendlies, I am Fucking Tillman, Damn it!† It was to late, his own team killed Pat in gunfire. The latest documents given to family members depict a different account from a chaplain who debriefed the entire unit days after Tilman was killed. First the government claimed the Taliban killed him. Then they claimed he was killed as a result of â€Å"friendly fire†. With this in mind we need to ask what the real cause of his death was. Evidence from the autopsy suggested that something other than friendly fire was the cause of his death. The medical evidence did not match up with the scenario as described. It was investigated that the bullet holes were so close together that it appeared that the Army Ranger was cut down by an M-16 fired from no more than ten yards away. These three bullet holes were shot in his forehead. This disturbing evidence shows that someone came up to him after he yelled out his name while still being wounded and shot him in the head to ensure he’d die. This verification leads to an important question, was Pat Tillman’s death a murder? After the tragedy, Army investigators talked with soldiers and commanders. They wanted see whether Tillman was disliked or if anyone was jealous of his celebrity, or even if he was considered arrogant. They responded with â€Å"Tillman was respected, admired, and well-liked.† If this information is believed to be correct, then personal grievances couldn’t have been the motive. One particular motive that seems to stand out is through political motives. Pat Tillman was a very outspoken about his views. He challenged President Bush and his administration about the invasion of Iraq. He recommended to others that they should vote for Kerry in 2004, and even interviewed with Noam Chomsky, a noted critic of the military and the Bush administration. He even had a notable diary that he had on him in which he might have written personal criticisms on the government and the military. To this day, that diary has never been returned to his family and is missing. Pat was a not only a famous soldier, but was a recruitment-poster prospect. The fact that he could go public against the war and the administration couldn’t have been a pleasant thought for those who were aware of what was going on. President Bush at the time went so far to claim â€Å"executive privilege† in order to keep hidden further documents about Pat Tillman’s death. A tight grouping of three bullet holes makes friendly fire an impossible explanation for his death. This is why there is inconclusive evidence on how Pat Tillman really died. Was it a degree of politics that played a role in his murder and what information does that administration still have that they are covering up are still unknown to this day. From the information I gathered I believe that Pat Tillman’s death was a murder. Whoever killed him had intentions on doing so, and in front of their own unit. I feel that the Army was well aware that he was a threat to their operations in the Middle East. They had two options, kill Pat Tillman, or face criticism that would tarnish the Army’s reputation when he came back home. Some soldiers share the same views as Pat, but what separates Pat from everyone else is his high-profile image. If Pat decided to address his opinions about the war when he came back it could have had a negative impact on the public’s perception of the war. There is too much evidence that proves that this case was premeditated. The autopsy, political motives, and government cover up’s show that this was more than just a â€Å"friendly fire.†

Biography of Zachary Taylor, 12th U.S. President

Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784–July 9, 1850) was the 12th president of the United States. Born in Orange County, Virginia, he grew up near Louisville, Kentucky. Taylors family built its wealth over the years, but as a young man he lacked the funds for a college education. His decision to enter the military helped catapult him into the White House with the nickname Old Rough and Ready. Though he served only a short period of time as president, he was well-liked and respected. A theory that he was assassinated has been debunked. Fast Facts: Zachary Taylor Known For: 12th president of the United StatesAlso Known As: Old Rough and ReadyBorn: November 24, 1784 in Barboursville, VirginiaParents: Sarah Dabney (Strother) Taylor, Richard TaylorDied: July 9, 1850 in Washington, D.C.Education: Grammar school and home educationAwards and Honors:  Appeared on postage stamps; namesake for several roads, counties, highwaysSpouse: Margaret Mackall Smith,Children: Sarah Knox Taylor, Richard Taylor, Mary Elizabeth Bliss, Octavia Pannell, Ann Mackall, Margaret SmithNotable Quote: I have no private purpose to accomplish, no party objectives to build up, no enemies to punish—nothing to serve but my country. Early Years Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784 in Barboursville, Virginia, and was the third of nine children of Richard Taylor and Sarah Dabney Strother. The family inherited a plantation in Virginia but, unable to make the land productive, they moved to a tobacco plantation near Louisville on the Kentucky frontier. It was there that Taylor learned the frontier skills of shooting, farming, and horsemanship—skills that would serve him well in later life. While his father, a slave owner, became increasingly wealthy, Zachary attended only grammar school and did not go to college. Taylor married  Margaret Peggy Mackall Smith on June 21, 1810. She was raised in a wealthy tobacco plantation family in Maryland. Together they had three daughters who lived to maturity: Ann Mackall; Sarah Knox, who married Jefferson Davis (the president of the Confederacy during the Civil War) in 1835; and Mary Elizabeth. They also had one son named Richard. A daughter named Octavia died during childhood. Military Career Taylor was in the Army for four decades, from 1808 until he assumed the presidency in 1849; at that time he had the rank of major general. During the War of 1812, he defended Fort Harrison against Native American forces. He was promoted to major during the war but briefly resigned at the end of the war before rejoining in 1816. By 1832, he was named a colonel. During the Black Hawk War, he constructed Fort Dixon. He took part in the Second Seminole War and was named commander of all U.S. Forces in Florida as a result of the role he played during the Battle of Lake Okeechobee. In 1840 he was assigned to a position in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he made his home. Mexican War, 1846–1848 Zachary Taylor played a major role in the Mexican War, successfully defeating Mexican forces in September 1846 and allowing them two months armistice upon their retreat. President James K. Polk, frustrated with Taylors clemency toward the Mexicans, ordered General Winfield Scott to take over and lead many of Taylors troops into immediate action against Mexico. Taylor, however, ignored orders and engaged Santa Annas forces against Polks directives. He forced Santa Annas withdrawal and became a national hero at the same time. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican War, was signed in 1848; by that time Taylor had become a military hero and was the candidate of choice for the Whig Party. During this period of tension between North and South, Taylor combined a military record that impressed the North with slave ownership, which attracted southerners. Becoming President In 1848, Taylor was nominated by the Whigs to run for president with Millard Fillmore as his running mate (he did not learn about his nomination until weeks later). He was challenged by Democrat Lewis Cass. The main campaign issue was whether to ban or allow slavery in territories captured during the Mexican War. Taylor, a dedicated supporter of the Union, did not express an opinion, while Cass supported the idea of allowing residents of each state to decide. Former President Martin Van Buren, leader of the Free Soil abolitionist party, entered the race and took votes from Cass, allowing Taylor to win with 163 of 290 electoral votes. Events and Accomplishments of Taylors Presidency Taylor served as president from March 5, 1849, until July 9, 1850. During his administration, the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was made between the U.S. and Great Britain. The agreement stated that canals across Central America were to be neutral and outlawed the colonization in Central America. It stood until 1901. Taylor himself was a slave owner and thus, for a period of time, he had significant support from the South. He was, however, dedicated to preserving the Union and believed that the best way to ensure the continuity of the Union was to avoid extending slavery into the territories. He disagreed with Congress over the question of whether California should be admitted to the Union as a free state; his successor Millard Filmore was more sympathetic to the Southern cause. By 1850, Taylor started suggesting he would be willing to take up arms to preserve the Union. The Compromise of 1850 was introduced by Henry Clay; according to History.com, the Compromise traded California’s admission to the Union with the abolition of the slave trade in  Washington, D.C. (supported by abolitionists), and a strong fugitive slave law (supported by southerners) while allowing New Mexico and  Utah  to be established as territories. Taylor was unimpressed by the Compromise and showed signs that he might veto it. Death On a hot day in July, Taylor ate only raw vegetables, cherries, and milk. He contracted gastroenteritis soon after, along with violent cramps. He died on July 8, 1850, at the White House, and Vice President Millard Fillmore was sworn in as president the next day.  Some believed that Taylor might have been assassinated by poison. His body was exhumed in 1991, and testing concluded there were no signs of arsenic present in his remains (though its possible that other poisons could have caused his death). Legacy Zachary Taylor was not known for his education and he had no political background. He was elected solely on his reputation as a war hero. As such, his short time in office was not one full of major accomplishments outside of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. However, if Taylor had lived and in fact vetoed the Compromise of 1850, the events of the mid-19th century would have been very different. Sources The Editors of Encyclopaedia Brittanica. â€Å"Zachary Taylor.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 7 Mar. 2019.Editors, History.com. â€Å"Zachary Taylor.†Ã‚  History.com, AE Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009.â€Å"Zachary Taylor.†Ã‚  The White House, The United States Government.