This study examines the dynamics of synchrony in traditional psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic equine facilitated therapy. The aim is to illustrate how synchrony can be assessed between therapist and client, as well as among therapist, client, and horse. Research shows that the effectiveness of psychotherapy depends on the quality of the alliance (therapeutic relationship), regardless of the therapist’s theoretical orientation. The functionality and reliability of the therapeutic alliance are central to successful therapy, making alliance-related research essential.
Synchrony offers a lens through which to evaluate the therapeutic alliance. It refers to emotional and bodily rhythm alignment e.g., a client may calm down when the therapist or horse is calm and present. Synchrony is measured physiologically (heart rate [HR], heart rate variability [HRV], and galvanic skin response [GSR]). Significant synchrony among the heart rates of client, horse, and therapist predicts a strong alliance.
Research Questions
- How does synchrony manifest between client and therapist in traditional psychotherapy compared to client–therapist–horse synchrony in riding therapy?
- How do clients and therapists evaluate their session experiences afterward?
Hypotheses
- H1: Clients in equine facilitated therapy will show higher levels of physiological synchrony (HR, HRV, GSR, and physical mobility) than in traditional psychotherapy.
- H2: The presence of a horse enhances emotional connection between client and therapist, based on post-session interviews, the Session Rating Scale, and physiological data.
- H3: Equine facilitated therapy will show significant HR and HRV synchrony between clients and horses, and between therapists and horses.
Methodology
The study uses a comparative single-case design to assess synchrony in therapist–client and therapist–client–horse relationships, focusing on case-specific changes. Sessions are scheduled over four weeks, ideally on the same weekday and time. Each client participates in two psychotherapy and two riding therapy sessions with the same therapist, who works in both modalities: four sessions per client in total.
Clients and therapists wear wristbands (Consensys Bundle Development Kit), with electrodes attached to two fingers. The horse wears a Polar heart rate monitor belt. Additionally, two client–therapist pairs will be offered EEG measurements to assess emotional experience changes. After each session, both therapists and clients are interviewed to explore their perceptions of interaction. Clients also complete the Session Rating Scale (SRS) to provide structured feedback on the therapeutic relationship.
The study aims to recruit five psychotherapist–equine facilitated therapists and two clients each, or more therapists with one client each.
Funding source
Ann Kern-Godal’s Memorial Fund for Horse-Assisted Therapy / Tampere University
Contact persons
Erna Törmälehto
erna.tormalehto [at] tuni.fi (erna[dot]tormalehto[at]tuni[dot]fi)
puh. 050 430 2012 or 040 8218534