Graduation Year
2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor in Psychology (Psy. D.)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a pervasive form of mental illness which affects millions of youth ages 12-18. It is characterized by a frequent and persistent pattern of angry mood, defiant behavior, and/or vindictiveness. Teenagers afflicted with ODD are often unwilling to participate in treatment and have difficulty responding to traditional therapy models. The current "Best Practices" model for treating ODD is extensive family therapy. As of today, there is no Best Practice method for providing direct treatment to the young people themselves. Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) has been found to be qualitatively effective in reducing ODD symptoms in the at-risk youth population, as well as other potential comorbid conditions (sexual trauma, eating disorders, and aggressive behavior). The present program development model includes combined weekly traditional group therapy and weekly group equine assisted therapy to produce an effective, novel therapy approach to treating adolescents with ODD.
Faculty Mentor
Melinda M. Moore
Department Affiliation
Psychology
Committee Member
Robert W. Mitchell
Department Affiliation
Psychology
Committee Member
Dustin B. Wygant
Department Affiliation
Psychology
Copyright
2017 Nicole C. Wozniak
Recommended Citation
Wozniak, Nicole C., "Group Equine Assisted Therapy: a Novel Approach for Treating Adolescents Diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder" (2017). Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects. 1.
https://encompass.eku.edu/psych_doctorals/1
