Soak Time

You know how it feels when you see a really good movie, and it sticks with you awhile? Well, our work with EAGALA has a term known as “Soak Time”. This is when you have an experience with the horses during an Equine-Assisted Therapy session, and you’re not quite sure how it applies to your life. You let it soak! When you least expect it, your mind keeps bringing you back to that experience and trying to make sense of it. You may be driving, falling asleep or riding in the car. Then, all the sudden, it makes sense!

At Four Directions Behavioral Health, this often happens with our clients. One client had a connection when a particular horse kept coming back to her over and over again. Right before the session ended, the client asked laughing “What is this horse doing? Why does he keep coming back to me over and over again?”. Of course, as EAGALA team members, we’re not sure either, because this is her process, her story…her solution. We did explain to her about the “soak time” element and told her that it was common, if she were open to it, something may come to her before we see her again next week.

The very next day, the client contacted us and told us that while she was falling asleep, she had the Ah-Ha moment and explained to us why this was so pivitol for her. She did end up sharing who that horse represented in her life and the circumstances surrounding her story. Not only did she figure that out, but she also came up with a solution to address an issue she had been working through with this person. With the EAGLA model, clients can choose to share that with us or not. Our role is provide a space for her to reflect and process the insights she gained through her work with the horses.
With EAGALA, the process belongs to the client! Clients can choose to share with us, or keep it to themselves. This journey is client led. Soak time can be very valuable to clients when they know the session is impacting them and aren’t sure what it all means. By giving themselves time to process in their own environment, solutions often come later and with more clarity!

With the EAGLA model, she can choose to share that with us or not.