LEAP, a newly formed subsidiary of the STEPPS rehab centre in Minsterworth is the leading developer in this country of EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy), an American technique which uses human interaction with horses, horse professionals and psychotherapists to help accelerate recovery.

Stepps developed their own EAP programme two years ago. The Minsterworth clinic has treated 250 people with some excellent results, particularly with clients who had failed to respond to other forms of therapy.

STEPPS is a residential dependency recovery centre, run by Dominic Quinlan, just outside Gloucester. The clinic accepts people from all over the world, and has developed number of techniques - most recently EAP, with Dominic’s wife Sam.

The EAP side of the business has now been launched as LEAP, an autonomous but complementary organisation offering this therapy to a wider group of clients, including people suffering from trauma or stress, people with learning difficulties or eating disorders and children and young people with a number of behavioural problems.

Sam Quinlan says: ”We are now, as an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy organisation, looking to expand our client group from addictive disorders, eating disorders and depression to challenging behaviours, Aspergers Syndrome and other co-morbidity disorders,” she says.

“This is obviously a natural progression as the family have been providing residential care for this client group for more than 40 years now.

“You no longer have to be a resident of Stepps to benefit from EAP which is why we split the business into two discrete groups.

“The name LEAP just sort of suggested itself. It is really about EAP being a great leap of faith; a leap forward and of course horses like to leap as well. It all seemed to fit so well.

“When you work with a horse you learn to communicate with it on a non-verbal  and indeed emotional level. As Winston Churchill said, ‘there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man’.”

Sam adds: “Obviously the residential clients at STEPPS will continue to benefit from EAP, which has already proven its value in treating people with dependency problems.”

“And we think the LEAP will also be a leap forward for both sides of the business, but more importantly, a huge leap for the clients we care for and treat.”

LEAP – Equine Therapeutic Centre has developed a range of programmes that concentrate on both the human and the horse.

Over the past 2 years we have seen the benefits of Equine Assisted therapy and Learning  for over 200 clients with issues ranging over the entire Mental Health Spectrum.

Our future focus is on developing programmes for therapeutic Interventions in specific areas including:

Young Offenders
Women at Risk
Trauma (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD)
Vulnerable adolescents
Eating Disorders
Family Therapy
Learning Difficulties
Autistic Spectrum

The developments of all these programmes are only possible because we have a team of multi disciplinary professionals.

Each programme will be measured for its process, impact and its outcome.

You can contact LEAP on 07766 910063 and on forward@leap-etc.co.uk