Train to Facilitate
Skills and Capacities
In order to become certified as facilitator for The Equus Effect, candidates will learn to demonstrate the following skills and capabilities – all of which we teach and model through our 8-month training program:
Respect for the populations who would benefit from the program
The emotional maturity to recognize one’s own triggers and interrupt habitual patterns of belief and behavior
The capacity to hold space for clients’ vulnerability, fear, anger, frustration, sadness and grief
The ability to ask invitational questions
Enough experience with horses to handle emergencies and give program horses the space to express themselves
Approach
The Equus Effect Program is both unique and valuable in terms of its ability to deliver effective and long-lasting benefits to many populations because:
The content focuses on approachable and practical tools for resilience and relationship skills.
The hands-on experiences, somatic practices and cycles of activation and settling offer real time, sensory-filled learning that require full engagement through all three centers of intelligence.
The work leaves an indelible mark on perceptions, beliefs and behaviors because it enables clients to recognize and change old patterns in real time.
Using these practices with people and situations at home and work builds trust and respect from others, so the work promises continued growth and development.
We draw these practical, down-to-earth tools from the following:
Somatic Experiencing (™)
Eponaquest Worldwide
The Masterson Method
Polyvagal Theory
Heartmath
Karla McLaren, M.Ed
Uniqueness
Our training curriculum teaches concepts from the bottom up through direct knowing and hands-on learning. Between experiential learning with horses, body-based tools and psycho-education, we offer students the opportunity to discover for themselves what it is like to facilitate from a grounded place of emotional maturity..
Since TEE is a multi-component non-medical model, we focus on current barriers to presence and resistance through embodied learning and group processing.
The model is a level playing field where facilitators act as guides who have also ‘walked the walk’. They need to be comfortable with disclosing their own process to create a psychologically safe environment.
“As from within, so without.”
Track Record
The Equus Effect has served well over 2,500 veterans, first responders, crime victims, healing arts professionals, students, parents, business professionals and many others who need effective tools to meet life’s demands and distractions.
A 2022-23 Research Study by the VA noted significant improvements in veterans’ ability to manage themselves, handle people and situations that trigger them and enhance their capacity to meet life’s challenges.
Clinicians were amazed at the impact of this work on clients’ ability to move beyond limitations, rebuild healthy relationships and focus on more productive issues. (full findings upon request)
We believe the applications are endless.
Tools of the Trade
We are serious about the structure of our four-session curriculum so the training curriculum also follows a four-module approach that focuses on Resonance, Connection, Collaboration and Capacity.
Training Materials:
Facilitator’s Guide
Online Study Guide
Reading List
Videos
Pre-Training Requirements:
Two introductory weekend workshops called Inside The Equus Effect Parts I & II