Training Certification

In order to become a facilitator for The Equus Effect, both civilians and veterans must have the following:

• First, a desire to serve veterans or other populations who would benefit from experiential learning and repatterning of current attitudes and behaviors.
• Second, the emotional maturity required to recognize and handle one’s own triggers in a responsible way, the curiosity to know oneself fully and the capacity to hold space for clients’ emotions: vulnerability, fear, anger, frustration, sadness and grief.  
• Third, facilitators also need to know how to ask invitational questions rather than imposing their ideas or analyzing clients.  The ability to ask permission is key.
• And, last, a depth of experience with horses as well as the willingness to learn a new way of being with them.  All must be competent enough to handle emergencies as well as enough respect and appreciation to give program horses the space to participate as co-facilitators in this process. 

The Equus Effect Program is both unique and valuable in terms of its ability to deliver effective and long-lasting benefits to veterans and other populations because:

• The content of this curriculum focuses on resilience tools and relationship skills that warriors, and others making their way from one life stage or culture to another, can use to establish healthy, authentic relationships within themselves as well as others with whom they live and work.

The practical, down-to-earth tools we teach are drawn from the following:

• Internal Family Systems
• Somatic Experiencing
• The Masterson Method
• Polyvagal Theory
• Heartmath
• Eponaquest Worldwide
• Karla McLaren.

The opportunities we give clients to change their habitual ways of thinking, feeling and behaving are introduced and taught from the bottom up.  From direct knowing through experience to learning through didactic presentation of materials, we offer participants the opportunity to discover for themselves what it is like to lead with their best selves. Our four-session curriculum also offers clients the opportunity to practice and report on how these changes have impacted their personal and professional lives. 

Since this model is not a medical one but rather one that resembles a peer-to-peer approach.  The Equus Effect focuses on moving past barriers and resistance to change through direct knowing and group learning. It is also important that both veteran and civilian facilitators appreciate the nature of their own triggers/resistances to new ways of being.  Facilitators are encouraged to describe both their unique forms of resistance to change, and how this program has given them tools they need to free up and redirect their energy in more productive ways.

The model is characterized by an inclusive circle and a level playing field where facilitators are guides, but not experts on anything but their own inner process and the skillful means needed to evoke curiosity and compassion in clients. 

“As from within, so without.”

Based on our experience over the years with this program, we believe that the curriculum itself, our deep understanding of these populations and the credibility we have now established with organizations with whom we collaborate, will provide new facilitators with the opportunity to enjoy ongoing success.

Our program is intended to complement ongoing treatment for trauma, addiction, counseling and professional support systems.  To this end, we always try to introduce our principles and practices by offering an afternoon actual experience to clinicians and mental health providers who work with these populations.

We also ask that clients are in some form of inner exploration or counseling in order to anchor the insights gleaned from their experience with us. Our aim is to ensure that they continue their own journeys with the support of professionals in the healing arts.

We offer our training program on an individual scholarship basis to potential veteran facilitators who have the capacity to stay grounded and clear in the face of issues linked to military service and to function as both compassionate AND objective observers.