My name is Rebecca Wara-Goss, and I am a doctoral candidate in East-West Psychology program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California. I am conducting an IRB approved study on the experiences of women veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in an equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP)/equine-assisted psychotherapy program in the past t
hree years. Current research on women’s experiences in the military and the effects of post-military PTSD are extremely limited. Therefore, to honor women’s experiences in either active military service or post military, and to document the suffering of PTSD, are the goals of this research study. Furthermore, women veterans with PTSD who participate in EFP/EAP may provide invaluable insights into the potential healing power of horses and alternative mental health treatment options. Therefore, I am actively recruiting for research participants who qualify for the parameters of this qualitative study:
These include:
Research participants will be included if they are all of the following:
1. Woman veteran of any age and lives anywhere in the U.S. who served in the U.S. military from 1990 to present;
2. Who either has a verifiable military-related PTSD diagnosis, or if unable to provide PTSD diagnosis would be willing to complete a clinician administered military-related PTSD assessment; and
3. Who participated in an Equine/Horse Facilitated/Assisted Psychotherapy program within the past three years (from 2013-Present)
The participant's involvement will consist of:
1. Brief 15-20 minute screening interview either in-person or phone to determine eligibility: PTSD diagnosis and EFP/EAP program participation.
2. If unable to provide PTSD verification, agree to complete a private clinician administered PTSD assessment scale, which may take anywhere from 30-45 minutes, and this can be done in-person or over the phone.
3. Complete basic information form; may take 10-15 minutes, and this can be done in-person or at home.
4. Participate in a one-time 45-60 minute audiotaped interview in-person at an equine-facility or phone. Please do not hesitate to contact me with further information or questions at:
1. This Group page
2. Facebook messenger
3. Email: rebecca.wara.gossmfti@gmail.com
4. Phone: 408-641-0589
Thank you SO SO much for your time! Sincerely,
Rebecca Wara-Goss, MFTI, Ph.D.(c)
