Implications of Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma through the Lens of Interpersonal Neurobiology

Chronic maltreatment in early childhood is likely to lead to developmental trauma, characterized by serious psychological and neurobiological consequences. Lack of psychotherapeutic intervention may lead to malfunctioning, severe mental and physical illness, emotional distress, and reenactment of the maltreatment. The effects of developmental trauma create barriers to the psychotherapy process, preventing the very treatment that is critical for healing. Barriers include poor therapeutic alliance, collapse of potential space, deficit in ability to symbolize, shame and the presentation of false self to others, loss of touch with self, and lack of regulation.

This presentation invokes principles of trauma-informed psychotherapy based on psychological theory and the interpersonal neurobiology of trauma, in order to understand both the nature of developmental trauma and barriers to psychotherapy for victims of maltreatment. Based on principles of the neuroscience of psychodynamic psychotherapy, Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy may bypass these barriers, leading towards the healing of early childhood trauma. The implications of the following concepts for the integration of animals into the psychotherapy process will be discussed: Relationship-based theories of psychotherapy, mirror neurons allowing for expansion of potential space, neuroception and safety, influence of animals on the neurological system, neurological effects of social engagement, and neurological effects of altruistic behavior.