Performance Transformation, LLC™ Launches Equine Facilitated Family Capacity Building℠

Aug. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Performance Transformation, LLC™ (Venice, FL) announced today the launch of their newest personal development program, Equine Facilitated Family Capacity Building.  Terry Murray, the founder and Managing Partner of Performance Transformation is scheduled to provide a demonstration of the program on August 4th at 1:30 p.m at the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Region 5 Annual Conference.  The three day conference is being held at Bakas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL.

Based upon research into relationship-based, social communication developmental interventions and Performance Transformation's extensive experience working with trauma survivors, the approach employs the firm's unique approach to Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning.

"The first steps of the journey that brought us to creating this new program began back in 2009, with the development of our Warriors in Transition workshop," commented Mr. Murray.  "Having introduced that program to five states, we had the opportunity to do a lot of experiential learning ourselves."

Warriors in Transition provides support for combat veterans, family members and caregivers struggling with PTSD or PTSD/TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).  Since 2009, Performance Transformation has introduced the program in Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, Colorado, and Missouri.  The program was formally commended in 2010 by General David Petraeus for contributing to the emotional resiliency of active duty, combat families.  This workshop also employs Performance Transformation's unique approach to Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning.

"From our experience, we knew we could contribute meaningful support to the ASD community," added Terry.  "All of our programs draw heavily from peer-reviewed, scientific research, it's our starting point.  When we were asked to develop a program for the ASD community we were astonished by what we discovered in the literature.  Our approach aligns seamlessly with relationship-based social communication developmental approaches with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  That's when we knew we had something very special to share."

Relationship-based approaches such as DSP, DIR®, FloorTime®, and MEHRI, require the parents to cultivate key competencies in order to maintain fidelity to treatment and support positive, developmental outcomes.  The need for greater conceptual understanding is also required, as these approaches can not be scripted and must occur spontaneously in any given environment.

"The recent research literature identifies seven key competencies necessary to support interventions that are being demonstrated to deliver very positive outcomes," said Terry.  "As I read through them, I realized our approach with the horses would enable parents and adolescent siblings to practice and experiment with these skills in a highly supportive, peer-group setting.  By first experiencing these skills with a horse, the parents can build confidence without fear of negatively affecting their child as their competencies improve."

The initial programs will be conducted in partnership with the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART ~ http://smartriders.org) in Bradenton, Florida.  SMART is a nonprofit, PATH International certified therapeutic riding center that has been serving the greater Sarasota region for more than 25 years.

"We're looking forward to getting started," added Terry.  "Once we've established the program here in Sarasota, we'll be looking to spread the work in partnership with other therapeutic riding facilities around the country and the world."

For more information on the PATH Int'l Conference and Terry's demonstration, please visit: http://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-membership/locate-my-re....

To learn more about Equine Facilitated Family Capacity Building, please visit http://familycapacitybuilding.com.

© 2012, Performance Transformation, LLC™.