Thursday, March 23, 2017: 8:30 AM-9:45 AM
Background:
Awareness guided by the masters of connection observed by their human counterparts discussed through the group to facilitate change. Using our canine and equine counterparts, Helena Rouhe will discuss the power of animals in Telemedicine. Meeting the client where they are at...literally and figuratively.
Objectives:
1. Improved awareness of body language
2. Expanding how to use experiential therapys
3. Educate on the benefits of Telemedicine and meeting the client where they are at
It is time to offer the latest in therapeutic options to your clients. Telemedicine is not just sitting in front of a screen and interacting with someone face to face. Today we will cover the following subjects:
I. Equine therapy: How to use this with eating disorder patients-what are the strengths and weakness of this intervention. How can it help your patient.
II. Canine therapy: Is this just for therapy dogs? Learn what can be done during a session, group or experiential exercise.
III: How to use experiential therapy via telemedicine. There are so many options available now and the client usually is used to using a smart phone to communicate. Increase your awareness of options you may not be using now but will benefit your clients.
A client struggling with an eating disorder identifies feeling left out in life. While observing a herd of horses, she identifies a horse she feels is also left out. Watching the horse engage with the herd she is able to note the horse is purposely keeping itself out of the herd. When asked by the facilitator if this rings true in her own life. Does the client keep her self out of the group dynamic the client became quiet and reflective. She happened to be participating in a group session so she asked the group if she isolates herself. The group gently reflected back to the client several occasions where the client used language suggesting she was different from them, she had different issues. This became their experience of her and an obstacle which blocked the group from wanting to experience the client. They stopped wanting to work with her - she was able to reflect on this and understood their point. This experience allowed the client an opportunity to shift her perspective and therefore shift the way she engaged in group allowing her to have a more fulfilled experience in treatment. Connecting to an experience outside of herself allowed her to a different perspective. A perspective shift becomes critical to recovery.
Co-Presenter:
Helena Rouhe, LMFT
Helena Rouhe has worked with eating disorders patients since 2010, LA Chapter board member of iaedp in 2010-2012, Advance certified in eagala model for equine assisted psychotherapy and current board member since 2014. She currently owns and operates an experiential based program in north Idaho. She also works as a core team member for Bright Heart Health first telemedicine company to be JACHO approved.
