The HARP @
Surrey Psychotherapy
Clinical Veterinary Social Work.
Honoring the bond, supporting your healing.
Web: https://member.psychologytoday.com/us/profile
Licensed in NY, PA, NJ
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Founded and directed by Dr. Katherine Compitus, the Human-Animal Relationship Program (HARP) is a specialized clinical initiative within Surrey Psychotherapy dedicated to the profound bond between humans and their animal companions.
Recognizing that pets are integral family members, HARP provides a compassionate, evidence-based space to navigate the complexities of the human-animal bond. The program’s mission is to bridge the gap between veterinary care and mental health, ensuring that pet guardians have professional support during their most vulnerable moments.
Clinical Focus Areas
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Pet Loss & Bereavement Counseling: HARP offers specialized individual therapy to process the profound impact of losing a companion animal. Recognizing that this grief is often "disenfranchised" or undervalued by society, the program provides a space where the bond is fully honored.
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Bereavement Support Groups: In addition to individual care, HARP facilitates structured support groups. These sessions allow individuals to connect with a community of peers, reducing the isolation often felt after the death of a pet.
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Compassion Fatigue & Burnout Support: A core pillar of the program is supporting the "helpers." HARP provides targeted clinical interventions for veterinary professionals, animal rescuers, and shelter caretakers who face high rates of secondary traumatic stress and emotional exhaustion.
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ESA & Service Animal Clinical Evaluations: HARP provides rigorous psychological evaluations for Emotional Support Animals (ESA), focusing on the ethical integration of animals into a client’s long-term mental health treatment plan.
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Crisis Intervention: Support for individuals facing "pets in crisis," including difficult end-of-life decision-making (euthanasia) and the psychological distress associated with a pet’s terminal diagnosis.
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Through a combination of clinical expertise and a deep empathy for animal lovers, HARP @ Surrey Psychotherapy serves as a vital resource for anyone seeking to improve their mental well-being through the lens of their relationship with other species of animals.