Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Description

The integration of animals into the therapy setting by psychotherapists has been a growing trend. Psychological problems treated include emotional and behavioral problems, attachment issues, trauma, and developmental disorders. An influential 1970s survey suggests that over 20 percent of therapists in the psychotherapy division of the American Psychological Association incorporated animals into their treatment in some fashion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is much higher today. Since Yeshiva University psychologist Boris Levinson popularized the involvement of animals in psychotherapy in the 1960s, Israel has come to be perhaps the most advanced country in the world in the area of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP). This is true especially in the areas of academic training programs, theory-building, and clinical practice. Great effort has been put into understanding the mechanisms behind AAP, as well as into developing ethical guidelines that take into account the therapist's responsibility toward both client and animal. This book exposes the world to the theory and practice of AAP as conceived and used in Israel. It emphasizes evidence-based and clinically sound applications with psychotherapeutic goals, as differentiated from other animal-assisted interventions, such as AAE (animal-assisted education) and AAA (animal-assisted activities), which may have education or skills-oriented goals. Not just anyone with a dog can call him-or herself an animal-assisted therapist. This volume demonstrates not only the promise of animal-assisted psychotherapeutic approaches, but also some of the challenges the field still needs to overcome to gain widespread legitimacy.
Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

THEORY

CHAPTER 1: The Integration of Animals Into the Therapy Process and Its Implications as a Unique Medium in Psychotherapy, by Dror Oren and Nancy Parish-Plass

Chapter 2: The Animal as a Relational Medium: An Object Relations Approach to the Therapy Triangle in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, by Nancy Parish-Plass and Dror Oren

Chapter 3: Projection and Projective Object in Child Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, by Rachel Ben David

Chapter 4: The Contribution of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy to the Potential Space in Play Therapy, by Nancy Parish-Plass

Chapter 5: Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy From an Attachment Perspective, by Sigal Zilcha-Mano

Chapter 6: Elements of Group Psychotherapy Found in Individual Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, by Hadas Ish-Lev and Roni Amit

Chapter 7: The Therapy Zoo as a Mirror to the Psyche, by Efrat Maayan

Chapter 8: Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy: Practice, Theory, and Empirical Knowledge, by Keren Bachi

ISSUES

Chapter 9: Dilemmas, Questions, and Issues Concerning the Integration of Animals Into the Psychotherapy Setting, by Nancy Parish-Plass and Dror Oren

Chapter 10: The Unique Ethical Stance of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, by Rachel Ben David

Chapter 11: Why Israel? A Unique Direction in the Development of the Definition and Practice of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy, by Nancy Parish-Plass and Sari Bar-On

Chapter 12: Life Cycle Analysis of the Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Field, by Keren Bachi

Chapter 13: Is Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy a Profession? The Consolidation of the Professional Identity of the Animal-Assisted Psychotherapist in Israel, by Sari Bar-On, Anna Shapiro, and Anat Gendelman

PRACTICE

Chapter 14: The Relationship Between the Animalistic and the Artistic: A Therapeutic Model Integrating Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy With Art Therapy, by Efrat Maayan and Elana Lakh

Chapter 15: “What Does the Turtle Have Inside Its House?” Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy With

Foster Children, by Shira Hellmann

Chapter 16: “Take Me Under Your Wing”—Love in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Clinical Perspective on the Unique Therapeutic Bond Between Animals and Humans, by Sarit Lev-Bendov and Inbar Barel

Chapter 17: Animal-Assisted Group Psychotherapy for Children, by Orit Harel

Conclusion

Appendix A: The Child and the Animal and the Potential Space Between: A Comparison of Animal-

Assisted Education and Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Appendix B: Roles of Animals in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Appendix C: Code of Ethics: The Israeli Association of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Appendix D: The 18th Session of the Israeli Knesset

Appendix E: Representative Certificate Program in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy

Contributors

Index

Sujets

• Adolescent
• Sociologie, société et politique
• Psychotherapy
• Psychology
• Child

Informations

• Publié par: Purdue University Press
• Date de parution: 15 juillet 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781612492742
• Langue: English

Extrait

ANIMAL-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
Theory, Issues, and Practice
“A great deal has happened since I first heard of animal-assisted therapy and activities. This volume supports the statement that one does not call himself or herself a therapist unless trained and licensed. The programs bringing people into contact with animals are varied and structured. The book offers different approaches for children and adults. Value is accomplished through anecdotes which provide actual happenings for the reader, along with a strong theoretical description of the applied approach. One gains a clear idea of the therapist’s approach and of the participation of animals to strengthen the result. What a great book!”
— Samuel B. Ross, Jr., PhD, Founder of Green Chimneys

“This comprehensive book stands as the state-of-the-art guide to animal-assisted psychotherapy. Mental health professionals practicing AAP will repeatedly turn to this well-organized work for guidance and will find solid bridges between theoretical reasoning, empirical research, and psychotherapeutic practice. The volume is grounded in cutting-edge research, and Parish-Plass has brought together the leading experts in the field.”
— Mario Mikulincer, PhD, Professor and Dean, School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya

“Nancy Parish-Plass has edited a volume that will be of strong interest to those providing animal-assisted psychotherapy. The book brings together chapters from numerous authors on critical topics. As a psychologist who has integrated animals in therapy for many years, I believe that this is a valuable resource to clinicians and researchers in the field.”
— Aubrey H. Fine, EdD, Professor, California Polytechnic State University
“As the field of animal-assisted psychotherapy grows in popularity and use, it is essential that the work is grounded in theory, research, and the highest quality standards of ethical practice. This book provides a superb resource for clinicians using this promising modality. Editor Nancy Parish-Plass has woven the excellent contributions into a volume that provides a model of AAP practice, clear discussion of the complex issues inherent in AAP, and the unique ethical standards for the protection of both human clients and the animals involved. Program descriptions and case illustrations throughout the book enrich its message. All clinicians using or wishing to use AAP will benefit greatly from reading this wonderful addition to the relatively scant professional literature on AAP.”
— Risë VanFleet, PhD, Founder and President, Playful Pooch Program and Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center; Past President and Board Chair, Association for Play Therapy

“[This book] puts together scholarship on many perspectives of how animals fit into the therapeutic milieu. It provides the theoretical bases for use of animals in psychotherapy practice and provides guidance and evidence for practitioners. It is very readable, and great clinical vignettes are used to illustrate the authors’ points. It will be of interest for psychotherapists but also in clinical psychology, social work, and advanced practice nursing.”
— Erika Friedmann, PhD, Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland
New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond
Alan M. Beck, Series Editor
ANIMAL-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
Theory, Issues, and Practice
Edited by NANCY PARISH-PLASS
PURDUE UNIVERSITY PRESS, WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Copyright 2013 by Purdue University. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Parish-Plass, Nancy, 1955–
Animal-assisted psychotherapy : theory, issues, and practice / Nancy Parish-Plass.
     pages cm.—(New directions in the human-animal bond)
ISBN 978-1-55753-651-8 (pbk.)—ISBN 978-1-61249-273-5 (epdf)—ISBN 978-1-61249-274-2 (epub) 1. Animals—Therapeutic use. 2. Pets—Therapeutic use. 3. Human-animal relationships. I. Title.
RM931.A65P37 2013
615.8′5158—dc23
2013011023
Cover design by Mary Jane Gavenda based on original art by Ronit Kahn
Notice to Readers
This publication is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering medical or psychological services. The authors, editor, and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information in this book. Application of the information in a particular situation remains the professional responsibility of the practitioner.
DEDICATION
I would like to dedicate this book to those who have contributed most to my professional development as an animal-assisted psychotherapist: Boris Levinson, my clients, and my animals.
This book would not be complete without emphasizing my great debt to Boris Levinson, the father of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), as we practice it here in Israel. In his book, Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy , Levinson presents his vision and insight in amazing detail, and his book is still a bible for me till today. I find there references to principles and issues that are being discussed at length and in research still today and, I have no doubt, that will be so for many years. I refer to it time and again and often rediscover principles, stated in concise and clear ways, that help and inspire me in my writing and clinical work. In the latest edition of Levinson’s book (1997), Gerald Mallon added further insight into the animal-assisted psychologist and man that Levinson was which helps us all feel that we would love to have sat with him and shared experiences. I hope we would have made him proud.
Of course, I never could have arrived at where I am today without my clients, who share the journey with me, helping to open my eyes and discover even more dimensions in the amazing processes that occur in therapy with the animals.
And last but so much not least, to Mushu, Mali, Pinuki, Puffy, Marshmallow, Ketchup, and Chips, and to those who will always be with me and in the hearts of so many children—Foxy Lady, Brownie, Tuka Matuka, Nana, Kuku, Boker, Boujie Boujie, and the rest. You all are great in the way that you just let those projections come right at you and still keep on scampering, sleeping, barking, cooing, hiding, peeking, flying, kissing, climbing, and cuddling so enthusiastically!
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
THEORY
CHAPTER 1
The Integration of Animals Into the Therapy Process and Its Implications as a Unique Medium in Psychotherapy
Dror Oren and Nancy Parish-Plass
CHAPTER 2
The Animal as a Relational Medium: An Object Relations Approach to the Therapy Triangle in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
Nancy Parish-Plass and Dror Oren
CHAPTER 3
Projection and Projective Object in Child Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
Rachel Ben David
CHAPTER 4
The Contribution of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy to the Potential Space in Play Therapy
Nancy Parish-Plass
CHAPTER 5
Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy From an Attachment Perspective
Sigal Zilcha-Mano
CHAPTER 6
Elements of Group Psychotherapy Found in Individual Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
Hadas Ish-Lev and Roni Amit
CHAPTER 7
The Therapy Zoo as a Mirror to the Psyche
Efrat Maayan
CHAPTER 8
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy: Practice, Theory, and Empirical Knowledge
Keren Bachi
ISSUES
CHAPTER 9
Dilemmas, Questions, and Issues Concerning the Integration of Animals Into the Psychotherapy Setting
Nancy Parish-Plass and Dror Oren
CHAPTER 10
The Unique Ethical Stance of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
Rachel Ben David
CHAPTER 11
Why Israel? A Unique Direction in the Development of the Definition and Practice of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
Nancy Parish-Plass and Sari Bar-On
CHAPTER 12
Life Cycle Analysis of the Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Field
Keren Bachi
CHAPTER 13
Is Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy a Profession? The Consolidation of the Professional Identity of the Animal-Assisted Psychotherapist in Israel
Sari Bar-On, Anna Shapiro, and Anat Gendelman
PRACTICE
CHAPTER 14
The Relationship Between the Animalistic and the Artistic: A Therapeutic Model Integrating Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy With Art Therapy
Efrat Maayan and Elana Lakh
CHAPTER 15
“What Does the Turtle Have Inside Its House?” Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy With Foster Children
Shira Hellmann
CHAPTER 16
“Take Me Under Your Wing”—Love in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Clinical Perspective on the Unique Therapeutic Bond Between Animals and Humans
Sarit Lev-Bendov and Inbar Barel
CHAPTER 17
Animal-Assisted Group Psychotherapy for Children
Orit Harel
• • •
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX A
The Child and the Animal and the Potential Space Between: A Comparison of Animal-Assisted Education and Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
APPENDIX B
Roles of Animals in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
APPENDIX C
Code of Ethics: The Israeli Association of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
APPENDIX D
The 18th Session of the Israeli Knesset
APPENDIX E
Representative Certificate Program in Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
CONTRIBUTORS
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First I would like to thank Dikla Tzur for inspiring me to write this book. I would also like to say to my children, Joshua, Ayal, Talya, Nitsan, and Safra (my daughter by choice), that I appreciate your patience and your smiles every time I said, “After t