by Bettina Shultz-Jobe, LPC, NBCC | Jun 24, 2021 | Equine Assisted Trainings, Natural Lifemanship Events
Rarely do we experience collective grief that moves beyond ourselves, our families, our communities, and across oceans.
This past year was an exception.
While each individual visit from grief varied in depth and time, the shared experience of having met under similar circumstances gifted us with opportunities for connecting on a much deeper level.
In pulling apart the pieces that make the experience of grief complex, I have found that love and grief are indeed connected—either one not fully existing without the other.
As author, theologian, activist, and storyteller Stephen Jenkinson puts it,
“love is a way of grieving that which has not yet slipped away.”
We needn’t look far behind us to see that the things we grieve, were the things we loved first. That without having loved, we would not grieve at all. About this most of us agree, but Stephen Jenkinson argues that love is also grief. As a woman married to an older man and as a mother of young children, I am all too aware of the impermanence of love every time I hug my husband and snuggle my little ones to sleep. I know this too will pass. Yes, love is also grief – about this, I am sure. For me, the Pandemic heightened this awareness. It was a hard year. At times, love and wonder had to be stolen, in seconds, minutes. . . Before moving forward on the path that follows the recent pandemic, let us glance over our shoulder at the ways in which the past year revealed our interdependence, our similarities, and our shared journey.
Reflecting on 2020
At the start of 2020, the Natural Lifemanship Institute was thriving—or so we thought. We were leading the way in the field of Equine Assisted Services, and were training practitioners in-person in Trauma-Focused EAP and Trauma-Informed EAL. Our passion and practice was fulfilling a purpose – we were living the dream. Truly!
As word spread of a virus potentially impacting our communities, we believed like many others that the threat would soon disappear, as similar threats had in the past. Yet as quickly as the name Covid-19 overtook the airways, the devastating virus rocked our business, our livelihood, and the world.
The loss was sudden, the effects longstanding, and the impact, in my opinion, lifelong. As practitioners in the field of mental health, we recognized the trauma in ourselves, and in those around us—and we responded.
We knew the need for teachers and professionals in our field would increase as more people around the world experienced the grief of losing that which they loved—family members, friends, businesses, jobs, homes, community, celebrations, affection, and more.
The grief was growing as quickly as the impact of Covid-19, and we evolved in response. During lock-down, with young children at home, no childcare, and no school, our trainings intensified to meet the needs of practitioners and clients, and our courses moved online to increase accessibility and convenience, as each experience required unique accommodations. We had to quickly let go of how we taught and connected with our students for almost 10 years and embrace the unknown. You can read between the lines as you recall your experience during this time, but uncertainty, unrest, fear, and grief touched us all —it was surreal.
But today Natural Lifemanship provides virtual trainings that meet the requirements for NL certification, and hosts intimate, in-person trainings throughout the country to help ease the burden of traveling in this new world.
Lessons on grief, loss, connection and community
The global pandemic helped to support the belief that grief and love are truly connected.
In fact, grief permeates nearly every aspect of our lives as we move through seasons of love and loss. How do we find joy in the lingering shadow of grief that follows everything and everyone we love? In one another, and the shared experiences we have as human beings.
While Covid-19 brought with it destruction and devastation, it also provided us with a rare opportunity to experience a collective loss, and initiate a shared grieving process. For far too long, in Western culture, grief has been an isolated experience usually impacting one person, family, or community.
In 2020, however, the same fears and feelings of loneliness, vulnerability, and loss were shared throughout the world. Whether we realized it or not, grief connected us, and in that there was a bigger effort to empathize, connect, and lend a hand.
For a moment, we were one people facing the same challenge, and reassuring one another as we walked an unknown path together. Just maybe, 2020 brought us back to experiencing grief the way it was intended —in community, among others, and in the context of connected relationships.
A Natural Life: Love & Grief Are Connected
As we continued to evolve our practice and support other practitioners in their own healing journeys, we chose to host a special kind of conference this year—one that acts as an experience for all who attend. Via a path we walk together.
A Natural Life: Love & Grief Are Connected is where we make a collective date with grief from where we are on our journey. Designed for everyone, regardless of experience and background, this 2.5 day event will bring together a community of helpers and healers from all over the world, to guide us in the art of grieving.
We will partake in healing practices and other experiential activities together, and hear from speakers whose expertise on the topics of grief and healing will inspire us, help us heal, and increase our impact on our clients, and in the world.
Whether we recognize it or not, we are always in a season of both love and grief.
On July 23rd, 24th, and 25th we will simply come together to connect our grief, our love, and expand upon our abilities to support our own healing, and that of our clients or loved ones.
A collective grief and healing process
Just as we found comfort in the shared experience of a global pandemic, we can also find it in the healing process that follows.
As we turn our gaze forward, and walk in our grief towards that which looks unfamiliar, our hope is that we recognize those walking beside us. That we acknowledge them on their journey, feel less alone, and support one another in accessing the endless love that exists within.
We are all new to this path—let’s walk it together.
Learn more about the Natural Lifemanship way…
#1 Take some of our courses. We offer many low cost, single purchase courses and videos for those just wanting to get an idea of what’s out there. Many of our courses offer CE credits through NBCC and NAADAC. Many courses are also part of NL Membership or can be purchased by members at steep discounts. Check out our courses here.
#2 Follow along for FREE! We offer an array of free content online through webinars, blogs, and videos – you can do any or all of the following to stay connected and up to date on NL happenings!
- Visit our website naturallifemanship.com to explore blogs and other content. Seriously, so much can be gleaned from our blogs!
- Sign up for a free introductory membership and gain access to educational videos and a new free video each month.
- Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of news, blogs, trainings, etc.
- Like and Follow our Facebook page and Instagram – we share videos, pictures, articles, and engage in thoughtful discussions.
- The Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Networking Group on Facebook is also a valuable resource. This group is managed by NL trainers, but is open to ALL. Such great conversations happen in this group!
- Follow our YouTube Channel for free video content! This is a great place to begin understanding how the relationship between horse and person progresses, organically and over time, utilizing NL principles. Watch this video first and then follow the progress made with Annie and Abilene.
by Bettina Shultz-Jobe, LPC, NBCC | May 7, 2021 | Equine Assisted Trainings, The Latest in Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning
The recent global pandemic forced us to. . .
Pause.
Reflect. Connect. Cry a little (or a lot depending on the day!). Curse a bit (okay, so maybe a lot some days!).
Pause and reflect and connect some more. . .
Then evolve.
Okay, so I can only speak for myself when I say that the Pandemic resulted in a decent amount of “curse crying” – a coping mechanism I don’t necessarily recommend, professionally speaking, but do, personally, find quite effective at times. Truly though, this transformation was at times painful for the entire NL team. Even though the caterpillar’s story of transformation and loss was already near and dear to my heart, I now have a more embodied understanding of the plight of the butterfly.
All of this said, the pause, the reflection, the connection (and the blood, sweat, and tears. . . AND cursing!) allowed us to soar to new heights—and inspired us to adapt our teachings, trainings, and events to allow for transformative change in the larger Equine Assisted Services (EAS) community.
At Natural Lifemanship, we are designing a better way to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for deep healing—allowing for greater access that meets each student where they are.
Looking back…
We were, and are proud of the progress we have helped to make in the field of Equine Assisted Services (EAS). In finding unique and powerful ways of working with clients and horses based on principles of connection and healthy relating, over ten years ago my husband, Tim Jobe, and I chose to begin equipping other professionals to expand the reach of EAS’s potential for healing.
The world could benefit from more practitioners in the field—we recognized this.
After 10 years of guided in-person trainings, we faced an unforeseeable obstacle. A global pandemic. With just days notice, people throughout the world found themselves indoors, and travel and in-person meetings came to an abrupt end. As the need for support, healing, growth, and wellness grew, so too did the possibility our doors would remain closed for good. (Hence the aforementioned tears and cursing!)
This was not an option for us!
Our little field offers some of the safest and most effective trauma treatment available. Period. People needed competent, connected, and impassioned practitioners more than ever.
MORE THAN EVER.
And mental health professionals, equine professionals, and others in the healing professions needed more support than ever!
MORE THAN EVER!
Moving forward…
After reflecting on the needs of our clients and students, we chose to make our trainings accessible from home. We redesigned our popular *TF-EAP and **TI-EAL based Fundamentals training to be taken virtually, but with a personalized experience that provided guided feedback, one-on-one meetings, and experiential learning. All of which could be completed from home.
To our delight…we found that we were able to provide more content, more resources, and more guidance than ever before. The results showed that many of our students not only thrived, but preferred the virtual fundamentals over our previous in-person training.
In 2020 we also started a scholarship fund and in 2021 we have awarded over $16,000 in scholarships and hope to award more as the year progresses! We are seriously committed to making our trainings as accessible as possible!
*Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
**Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Learning
Our New & Better Normal
Our greatest challenge in redesigning our trainings was the recognition that we needed to provide various options for the unique needs of our students. We believed that a temporary solution, such as a few online courses, would not provide students with the in-depth education they needed and deserved.
If we were to ensure that our students were fully prepared to work with clients in an EAS setting, we needed to think big—and we did.
Our team came together and designed the most extensive EAS (Equine Assisted Services) training available, with the option of FULLY completing the program from home.
Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship—Redesigned
Prior to Covid, our Fundamentals of NL training was impactful in that it allowed our students to gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to engage in the EAP/L process—using the principles of Natural Lifemanship. Actually, I know I’m biased, but our pre-pandemic trainings were excellent!
It’s just that post-pandemic they’re EVEN BETTER!
Today, the Fundamentals of NL training is so much more extensive. We’ve created an 8-week curriculum that dives much deeper into the science of trauma, attachment, and somatics, and provides an immense amount of content that simply can’t be covered, digested, and embodied during a two or three day in-person training.
Nowadays, IF you choose to do in-person training with us (more on this below) you get significantly more time doing the stuff that simply can’t be done online – building nuanced relationship with horses. More time online means more time to experience the power of the horse-human relationship. More time online means that when you come to us you are WAY better prepared to get busy and do some experiencing!
What’s more? Even online we are still able to give individualized guidance and experiential learning exercises that we review for feedback. Students benefit from taking the training in group settings, and interacting with one another—as well as the convenience of working from home with their own horses.
Given that each student has a unique set of circumstances, we provide the following training paths:
The Foundational Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to NL for those who may not have access to horses, will not be pursuing certification, or prefer to complete their experiential work in-person by adding on the Fundamentals Practicum, which is our in-person training experience. This is a great option for those who are completely new to Natural Lifemanship or need a refresher.
The Core Fundamentals is designed for people who have access to horses and who want to be able to say they are NL Level 1 trained. In taking this training, students move closer to completing NL certification.
Our Certification Jumpstart option allows students to jumpstart the certification process. Not only does this training count toward some of the certification requirements, it also comes with a bundle deal including a one-year NL professional membership, certification enrollment fee, two personal face-to-face consultations on Zoom––all of which are required for certification. This is the greatest bang for the buck if you know you want to get certified in NL.
What about the hands-on experience?
We fully understand the importance of providing an experiential component to our trainings. After all, what good is a practitioner who has yet to practice? We knew it would be a challenge to create a hands-on learning experience that could be completed from home. . . so we came up with the following solutions—and we couldn’t be happier.
Here are the THREE ways to complete the experiential work required for those seeking certification or wishing to claim that they are NL Level 1 trained. They are. . .
The At Home Experience in which students complete several video assignments and receive feedback and guidance from NL trainers. This experience does require that students have access to a horse.
The In-Person Experience in which students attend one of many in-person practicums throughout the United States and practice their skills and knowledge with in-the-moment guided feedback from our experienced and intuitive NL trainers. (Students must attend the Fundamentals of NL prior to attending)
Or you can do a combination of the two—for those who really want to dive deep and get all of the experience possible.
Our In-Person Practicum
We understand that many people in our field prefer an intimate and interactive in-person training environment so we designed the Fundamentals Practicum to be an unforgettable training experience that allows students to build on their virtual learning experience through hands-on work utilizing the Natural Lifemanship principles. Most of the didactic learning is done online in the Fundamentals of NL leaving significantly more time and space to truly embody the knowledge and skills gained.
We are currently offering several Fundamentals Practicums throughout the year that are hosted at our partner sites scattered throughout the country, making this experience more accessible for everyone.
By the way, in 2021 we adopted the same training structure for our NL Intensive training making it possible to get fully certified in NL from home! The NL Intensive is virtual. There are two options to meet your needs: Foundational Intensive and Core Intensive. The experiential portion of the Intensive training can be done at home or in-person at an Intensive Practicum.
At Natural Lifemanship, we believe that leading means innovating, inspiring, adapting, and evolving—to meet the needs of our compassionate and impactful students as well as our communities, who are in need of deep healing.
While our trainings have evolved to better meet your needs, our principles remain the same. Every training experience through Natural Lifemanship continues to be centered around building healthy relationships and deep connections, based on mutual trust and respect—for EAS practitioners, clients, and horses.
Learn more by watching our latest webinar, “Our New and Better Normal.”
Learn more about the Natural Lifemanship way…
#1 Take some of our courses. We offer many low cost, single purchase courses and videos for those just wanting to get an idea of what’s out there. Many of our courses offer CE credits through NBCC and NAADAC. Many courses are also part of NL Membership or can be purchased by members at steep discounts. Check out our courses here.
#2 Follow along for FREE! We offer an array of free content online through webinars, blogs, and videos – you can do any or all of the following to stay connected and up to date on NL happenings!
- Visit our website naturallifemanship.com to explore blogs and other content. Seriously, so much can be gleaned from our blogs!
- Sign up for a free introductory membership and gain access to educational videos and a new free video each month.
- Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of news, blogs, trainings, etc.
- Like and Follow our Facebook page and Instagram – we share videos, pictures, articles, and engage in thoughtful discussions.
- The Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Networking Group on Facebook is also a valuable resource. This group is managed by NL trainers, but is open to ALL. Such great conversations happen in this group!
- Follow our YouTube Channel for free video content! This is a great place to begin understanding how the relationship between horse and person progresses, organically and over time, utilizing NL principles. Watch this video first and then follow the progress made with Annie and Abilene.
We look forward to supporting you as you grow professionally and heal personally—so you can support others.
by Bettina Shultz-Jobe, LPC, NBCC | Mar 3, 2021 | Equine Assisted Trainings, Natural Lifemanship Events
Now that you’ve completed your Fundamentals Training, you may be wondering. . . Where Do I Go From Here? There are a variety of options that you may choose from in order to best meet your learning goals. We want to stay connected – in whichever way suits your needs!
We have found that most people fall into one of three categories:
#1 I’m all in!
This is my home, these are my peeps – no doubt I’m all in! Certification? YES! Conferences? I’ll be there! NL Products to support my practice? Sign me up! Webinars, youtube, free stuff? I’m watching all of it!
#2 I’m all in! BUT I need to take it slow.
I believe in NL, want to be a part of this community, and want to keep learning. #1 is just a bit too “ALL IN” for me. 😉
#3 I’m not quite sure if NL is right for me OR my resources are limited right now.
I really enjoyed my training, but I’m still deciding if I want to delve deeper with NL. Or I definitely enjoyed my training, but currently my ability to invest time and money is limited.
I’M ALL IN!
First of all, WELCOME!
I’m a bit biased, but I think our community is the best! We’re passionate! We’re committed to our personal growth and our professional development! Together we’re creating a world where connection and the value of healthy relationships is seen and felt in everything we do! What more can I say?
So, here’s what you need to do next:
#1 Register for the upcoming NL Intensive training.
The NL Intensive is the most thorough training we have ever put out there. It’s an online course with in-person options. In this training you integrate and more deeply implement everything you learned in the Fundamentals of NL so that you can better support the transformation of your clients through the power of deep connection and relationship. This training takes you deeper into your own healing journey, and helps you to embody the NL principles through continued education and guided practice over the course of 15 weeks.
You will learn:
- How your own attachment and trauma history impacts your work
- How to more effectively facilitate sessions
- How to embrace and embody the nuance of relationship building between you, your horses, and your clients
Plus, you’ll also get access to our training group forum, CE credits, weekly video lessons and assignments, 15 hours of LIVE zoom calls with your instructors and colleagues, and one more completed requirement towards achieving NL certification. Check it out and sign up here.
The next course starts August 22nd! Keep in mind that spaces are limited, so if you know for sure you want in please sign up soon.
#2 If you haven’t already, sign up for NL Certification.
No matter your profession or background, Natural Lifemanship certification offers a self-paced and self-organized path for individuals and teams looking to dig deep and transform their work. Trainings, consult calls, and video submissions can be done at your pace, in flexible order. At NL, we prioritize principle-based thinking and personal growth––meaning our certification process is a relationship between you and our wonderful trainers…not a list of tasks to check off.
NL Certification fees include NL Membership where you can access HOURS and HOURS of videos and courses. . . RICH online learning until your heart’s content! Our videos were created with you and your clients in mind – fill learning gaps, lean into the nuance of this work, get CE credits, and begin to specialize!
NL Members also get discounts on exclusive online courses, Building Your Resilience offerings, and events including our highly-anticipated annual conference. Additionally, a variety of FREE online events are available each month for NL members. Members can participate in population specific Mastermind Groups––connect with others in the field who support the population you also serve. This is an opportunity for peer connection, support, and supervision. Members get opportunities to speak with NL founders (including me!) and trainers each month. Connect in community and continue learning. . . together!
Certification students also get a practitioner listing on our website to help clients find you. The practitioner listing is only available to those who are NL Certified or on the certification path.
If you are ready to commit to this process, we will support you every step of the way!
After you sign up you will get access to a “certification course” in your student dashboard so you can start tracking your progress. You will also receive a PDF document with very clear direction about certification paths and requirements. Sign up here!
#3 Sign up for our upcoming webinar, “How NL Certification is a Path Towards Personal and Professional Growth.”
Certification is certainly a process – it is a journey we go on WITH you. I will share what makes our certification process unique, what you can expect when you embark on the NL certification journey, and which steps you’ll take to get started. It may feel a little daunting at first, but I promise that this feeling doesn’t last – before you know it you’ll be gaining ground and feeling more and more confident and competent in the work you do to make the world a better place! Sign up here.
I’m all in, but I need to take it slow. . .
First of all, thank you for listening to yourself and responding to what you need. 🙂
During our upcoming webinar called “How NL Certification is a Path Towards Personal and Professional Growth,” I will likely chat with the “I’m all in” folks to make sure they pace themselves and allow time for learning. This model is a way of being in the world. Which requires a pause. A breath. Movement. And more pauses and breaths. Embodiment takes time.
Those of you in this category have many options, but I would recommend you choose one of the following two options:
#1 Register for the upcoming NL Intensive training.
The NL Intensive is the most thorough training we have ever put out there, and it really allows you the time and pace needed to deeply embody this work. It’s an online course with in-person options. In this training you integrate and more deeply implement everything you learned in the Fundamentals of NL so that you can better support the transformation of your clients through the power of deep connection and relationship. This training takes you deeper into your own healing journey, and helps you to embody the NL principles through continued education and guided practice over the course of 15 weeks.
You will learn:
- How your own attachment and trauma history impacts your work
- How to more effectively facilitate sessions
- How to embrace and embody the nuance of relationship building between you, your horses, and your clients
Plus, you’ll also get access to our training group forum, CE credits, weekly video lessons and assignments, 15 hours of LIVE zoom calls with your instructors and colleagues, and one more completed requirement towards achieving NL certification. Check it out and sign up here.
The next course starts August 22nd! Keep in mind that spaces are limited, so if you know for sure you want in please sign up soon.
#2 OR sign up for NL Membership for learning that is 100% self-paced and brings you into a community that grows and learns together.
Through NL Membership you can access HOURS and HOURS of videos and courses. . . RICH online learning until your heart’s content! Our videos were created with you and your clients in mind – fill learning gaps, lean into the nuance of this work, get CE credits, and begin to specialize!
NL Members also get discounts on exclusive online courses, Building Your Resilience offerings, and events including our highly-anticipated annual conference. Additionally, a variety of FREE online events are available each month for NL members. Members can participate in population specific Mastermind Groups––connect with others in the field who support the population you also serve. This is an opportunity for peer connection, support, and supervision. Members get opportunities to speak with NL founders (including me!) and trainers each month. Connect in community and continue learning. . . together! Learn about the many benefits of membership and sign up here.
Additionally, our upcoming webinar, “How NL Certification is a Path Towards Personal and Professional Growth,” might be informative for you. I will share what makes our certification process unique, what you can expect when you embark on the NL certification journey, and which steps you’ll take to get started, so you can begin to think about when/if you might want to start the certification process with NL. It’s a big commitment, so, of course, take your time. Sign up here.
I’m still deciding if NL is right for me
OR I have limited time and financial resources right now
We know you have many options when choosing where to invest your time, energy, and financial resources––thank you for engaging with us!
There are many amazing training opportunities in this field. Over twelve years ago when we started NL there were significantly fewer options, so it was easier to make a decision. But with diversity this field has grown and IMPROVED. It’s such an exciting time! We offer many low to no-cost options so you can get to know us before jumping in!
Additionally, we are committed to equipping you for success so you can effectively implement your training for the purpose of supporting others in their healing journeys.
We offer many low to no-cost options so you can continue your learning with us.
#1 Take some of our courses. We offer many low cost, single purchase courses and videos for those just wanting to get an idea of what’s out there. Many of our courses offer CE credits through NBCC and NAADAC. Many courses are also part of NL Membership or can be purchased by members at steep discounts.
#2 Follow along for FREE! We offer an array of free content online through webinars, blogs, and videos – you can do any or all of the following to stay connected and up to date on NL happenings!
- Visit our website naturallifemanship.com to explore blogs and other content. Seriously, so much can be gleaned from our blogs!
- Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of news, blogs, trainings, etc.
- Sign up for free webinars here.
- Watch select past free webinars here.
- Like and Follow our Facebook page and Instagram – we share videos, pictures, articles, and engage in thoughtful discussions.
- The Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Networking Group on Facebook is also a valuable resource. This group is managed by NL trainers, but is open to ALL. Such great conversations happen in this group!
- Follow our YouTube Channel for free video content! This is a great place to begin understanding how the relationship between horse and person progresses, organically and over time, utilizing NL principles. Watch this video first and then follow the progress made with Annie and Abilene.
No matter your level of engagement with us we are honored to walk alongside you as you grow, learn, transform, and take YOU into the world and into ALL of your relationships!
by Kate Naylor | Jan 13, 2021 | Basics of Natural Lifemanship, Equine Assisted Trainings, The Latest in Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning
By Kate Naylor and Bettina Shultz-Jobe
Jumping into the field of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT), Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), and/or Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) can be daunting – figuring out how to be properly trained and prepared can be even more so.
You can’t just google “get certified” and find a website that explains it all. It’s a bit of the wild west out here – so many teachers to choose from, so many approaches, and no central rules or regulation.
So what is an aspiring equine assisted practitioner to do?
The short answer is “do your research”…but, that’s not a very satisfying answer, is it?
So, we at The Natural Lifemanship Institute have put together a list of things we consider to be incredibly important to a thorough and quality certification in Equine Assisted Services (our inclusive term for EAT, EAP, and EAL) – and we’d like to share it with you!
Over the three decades that Natural Lifemanship founders Bettina and Tim Jobe have worked in the field of Equine Assisted Services (EAS), they have learned quite a bit about what is needed for effective, ethical practice.
It isn’t a simple process, nor should it be…because when you enter a field in which expertise is needed in both the human and equine realm, there is a lot to learn. Of course, we would love for you to train and get certified with us…but more than that, we want you to find exactly what you need to nurture your continued growth in this ever-growing field. Below are our Ten Things You Need to Know When Choosing an EAS Certification – we hope it is helpful!
1. Teacher Experience!
First and foremost, as you begin a certification, you want to know you are in capable hands. This is why understanding the qualifications of your teachers and trainers is so important.
Consider their experience!
How long have they been doing actual EAS work? In this newer field, many teachers may have great ideas but haven’t actually been offering EAS sessions for very long, or for very many total hours of practice. Consider some practitioners see 25 clients a week while others might only see one or two – weeks and months may not be the best measure of experience.
Time in the “pen”, so to speak, makes a world of difference when you are teaching both theory and skills. So as you do your research, ask yourself, how many hours of experience does this trainer have?
Malcolm Gladwell argues it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill…do your teachers come even close to that in either clinical experience, horse experience, or both?
2. Excellent Equine Experience!
Understanding the nuance of relating to equines and partnering with them in this work is a process that can only evolve with time, practice, and seasoned guidance.
Working with equines is just like any other relationship – intimacy, trust, and clear communication come with intentional effort over time. . .
There are no shortcuts to good horsemanship. Be careful of programs suggesting otherwise – there are no cheat sheets and quick fixes to understanding the complex and often understated ways equines communicate their needs.
Each one is an individual.
Not only is it important to learn about general equine behavior, learning, and communication, it is also important to learn about the specific equines with which you hope to work.
This takes time.
3. Clear ethics!
As you search for a program, consider the language that is used and the ethics that are both implied and explicitly stated.
The ethical motivations and underpinnings of any good certification program should be clear and readily available to you.
How does a program see the clients, the animals, and the therapy team? How does the program value experience, working within one’s skill set, perspective, theoretical underpinnings, acknowledgment of science/research, and a practitioner’s personal growth?
All of these are areas needing attention and guidance if one is to practice any helping profession ethically. It should also be evident that there are checks and balances in the approach itself, to safeguard against damaging bias and countertransference.
4. Personal Growth!
As NL says “the horse doesn’t know who the client is”…in our unique field we are relying on feedback and communication from our equine partners to help us move forward in our relationships with our clients.
Because we cannot ensure our equines only pay attention to client issues, our own patterns and internal experiences absolutely will and do influence our sessions.
Therefore, we cannot separate our own personal development from our professional development. A quality certification program will require you to consider your own internal experience as much as the client’s and horse’s in order for you to become a more conscious and effective practitioner.
Reflecting on your own relational history, your personal blind spots, triggers, motivations, and being in tune with your own body/mind/spirit should all be valued in your professional development.
5. Depth and breadth of learning!
What would you prefer if you were a client – a practitioner who had spent 5 days learning EAS, or a practitioner who had spent a year (or more) in coursework, practice, supervision, and consultation?
The requirements for certification in the EAS field are wide and varied – pay close attention to what it takes to become certified and consider the client perspective. What is best for our clients, who have little to no information about what it takes to say “certified in EAP, EAT, or EAL”?
Programs of excellence should offer theoretical and scientific underpinnings for their approach to both equines and humans – and should give you plenty of hours of not only learning but practice and reflection as well.
6. Practical Experience!
Practical experience is where the deeper learning happens…it is where theory is infused with reality, where cognitive information becomes embodied, where knowledge becomes wisdom, and where practitioners develop the “art” of their work.
Some programs do not require a practitioner to have ever worked with clients before becoming certified. Quality EAS isn’t just about what you know, it’s about what you do with what you know. Practical experience is necessary for quality work.
7. Trauma Informed Care!
The term “trauma informed care” has become a buzzword in recent years, but what does it really mean?
Trauma Informed Care means that practitioners operate from a foundation of knowledge based in brain science – it conveys an understanding of how life’s rhythms and relationships impact an adaptable brain and body from a macro level down to the smallest neurons.
This knowledge informs the way in which practitioners engage with clients AND their equines, both in and out of session.
Trauma Informed practitioners value relationship, rhythm, and science in their approach – it should be explicitly taught, as well as modeled in their everyday behavior.
Trauma Informed Care should create safety and flexibility in the certification learning environment as well as in client sessions.
8. A Blend of Science and Art!
Relationships are an art – an improvised dance informed by all that each individual carries within them as well as the energy between the two.
There is no doubt that intuition and experience are paramount to guiding clients through a healing process unique to their needs. However, there is so much that the relational neurosciences can offer us so that our work is better informed – making our art more effective.
It is common in our field to acknowledge the art of EAS, what is less common is the incorporation of the sciences that can inform and guide our individual approach.
The fields of interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, somatics, and more have transformed psychotherapy and our understanding of living beings, with so much to offer this work – it would be negligent to ignore them.
9. Individual Support!
No two journeys are the same.
A certification process needs to be flexible and helpful to your specific skills, goals, and dreams. Whether you are a seasoned clinician, an experienced horse professional, a student just starting out, or something in between or otherwise – you can reach your EAS goals.
Look for a certification process that not only considers your experience an asset but offers teachers who know your field of expertise.
EAS can be blended with a wide variety of therapeutic approaches – and the certification process should reflect that!
And finally, more than anything else…does a certification process offer you….
10. Relationship!
Rather than a nameless, faceless, and relation-less training process, how about one where you know your teachers, engage with them in a variety of ways on a variety of topics over time, and develop a supportive and engaging network of colleagues?
Relationships are the vehicle for change – whether in therapy, in learning something new, or out in day to day life.
Can you speak to someone when you need guidance? Do teachers care about your individual development? Is your time valued and respected? Relationships make all the difference.
So what kind of relationship do you want with your training and certifying organization?
Wondering how to get started with NL?
The Fundamentals of NL is the entry level training for all certification paths. The next cohort starts September 13th and registration is OPEN.
by Kate Naylor | Sep 9, 2020 | Equine Assisted Trainings, Testimonials & Reflections
WOW! That is all I can say as we wrap our second cohort of the fully online Virtual Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship. We started this training in May and have already had over 150 participants! Our participants have been amazing, the learning has been monumental, and the feedback has been incredible! As a trainer, I have so enjoyed connecting with students in so many new places – Costa Rica, Hawaii, even Australia!
You know, at first I was nervous about this course. Natural Lifemanship, and our model of Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning is just so experiential – it must be felt to really be understood. Could a fully online course really help people learn what it means to be trauma-informed???
To be honest, I had my doubts. But now I know differently – our participants are truly feeling their way into the principles, guided by the rich learning over the duration of the Virtual Fundamentals. Because this course takes place over 10 weeks, our participants are able to really engage and digest the information, while also practicing applying the principles in their everyday lives. Whether you have access to horses or not, the science and principles presented in our training seeps into your very way of being, especially when you intentionally spend the time.
I also love that we can engage with students in an online forum and in live office hours – as well as offer real feedback on practice videos. The videos have been such a joy to watch – Core and Jumpstart Fundamentals participants set out to practice what they are learning with their own horses, just the two of them – I love seeing the learning unfold in each partnership (and I know the other instructors, Bettina, Tim, and Tanner agree wholeheartedly!!). All students (including those who take the Foundations option) get to learn from each other’s feedback – the learning is rich!
Now I am just so thrilled we are finally offering this online course – and I can’t wait for the next cohort that starts September 14th! I hope you can join us!
But don’t take my word for it….
“I feel like I have learned more about connected relationships and the importance of them in the last eight weeks than I have in my entire life! I will absolutely be back for more trainings and can’t wait to learn more.”
– Victoria Pello, Equine Coordinator, The Last Resort
“The NL staff (founders, trainers, and related personnel) did a phenomenal job of compiling content into a series of weekly modules where participants could engage with materials (e.g., videos, blog articles, manual, webinars) virtually. There was a lot of valuable information to review and soak in but with permanent access to the online course, I am conveniently able to go back and review content as I see fit! I am still new to the Natural Lifemanship model but because of this training, my new job and the wonderful horses and humans I get to work with daily, I am confident that I will start to witness the powerful impact this unique work has on the lives of many!”
– Shayla Anderson, Intake Coordinator, Barnabas Horse Foundation
Participants love the flexibility!
“I have taken the online Natural Lifemanship course and was blown away by the thorough and detailed, enriching learning experience. The ability to connect with an instructor was at my fingertips. It was so well done. Thank you for your effort, I am truly enjoying this class and in many ways, I find that the online class has made it easier to retain information with the ability to replay lessons a few times to grasp all of the information and have the video feedback in such a thorough analysis in real time to the actions. I have been able to balance the course between work and farm responsibilities very well because of the flexible nature of the course. The course itself is phenomenal and I am enjoying the new lens that I have to operate within and I see things so differently: relationships, horse rescue work, people’s responses to relationships and each other, and my own self and life choices. Not to mention an amazing “framework/process” to apply to helping horses. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn from your team who is so dedicated and knowledgeable.”
– Mary Elena Moran
95% of participants said this training met their expectations, and in fact many said it exceeded their expectations!
“The Virtual Fundamentals training was a transforming experience for both my personal and professional self. It allowed me to learn invaluable material at my own pace while still providing interaction and feedback from the NL trainers.”
– Kelly Kennedy, Wild Acres Counseling
“This 8 Week Jumpstart Program with NL opened me up to a brand new way of being! I had absolutely no idea what I was in for when I signed up. I feel like I was able to get to know each of the NL team members and felt an exceptional connection to both Bettina and Tim. Their realness, honesty and often playful interactions were so refreshing. The vast knowledge of the team members across the board was amazing and everyone has their place in this program. I will be forever grateful to have taken this course at this time in my life. And I thank everyone at NL for putting me on the path to be a better me! I look forward to meeting you all in person when travel restrictions allow me to come to the US!”
– Beth Sylver–Team Member at Rancho La Merced, Uvita, Costa Rica
96% of participants said they would be able to apply their learning to their work, right away
“Natural Lifemanship training allowed me to expand my knowledge as a practitioner, trust my intuition, and deepen my feelings of connection in my own body. It was like fitting an integral puzzle piece to my practice.”
– Jenna Vissell, MA Mental Health Practitioner, Stable Living, LLC
“It does not matter if you have horse, dog or goat, the principles of NL apply across all mental health services and life situations, from the simple to the complex. It is a comprehensive program, fascinating and effective. It challenges you to be a more balanced individual which in turn touches everything around you.”
– Melanie Stolfus LPC Rockhill Counseling Aubry Texas
“When working with individuals who have experienced trauma, the concepts and principles of NL target the key concerns of these individuals. The blending of attachment theory, neuroscience, and relationship principles are logically based and applicable within a therapy room, classroom, or home setting. It is a comprehensive program which incorporates the use of equines, creativity, music, movement, and sensory integration. Great program! I thoroughly enjoyed this training and can’t wait to utilize it! Thank you!”
– Cheryl Galligan
And some parting thoughts…
“The best equine assisted therapy training that I’ve ever had, and I’ve had many! I can finally answer the question of ‘Why Horses’ with more confidence and scientific understanding than ever before.”
– Juliet Wahlenmayer, NCC, LPC
“This is by far the most important course I’ve ever taken. A connected relationship with my horse will drive all of our interactions and take precedence over task based interaction. I always yearned for a deeper connection with my horse. Now I have the knowledge and ability to attain it. It’s not often I can come away with the ability to easily put course information into practice right away. The course had just the right amount of detail to explain the principles without being difficult to understand. If everyone, horse related or not, understood the principal’s of NL we would all live happier, more enriched and peaceful lives. “
– Ro Wellmaker/horse owner
What else can we say?!?! Except a big THANK YOU to our NL Community!
Registration closes and the course starts September 14th! Click here for more information and join us for the last offering of the year!
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A few more testimonials for your reading pleasure 🙂
“I came into this training with zero knowledge about horses. I had never even been on one (still haven’t)! As a therapist, this training was so helpful in building a strong foundation for any work I do in the arena!”
– Lauren Ball LCADC LCSW
“The Virtual Fundamentals training was a transforming experience for both my personal and professional self. It allowed me to learn invaluable material at my own pace while still providing interaction and feedback from the NL trainers.”
– Kelly Kennedy, Wild Acres Counseling
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the training from NL. The education on brain development and how it affects human and horse behaviors; the use of rhythm to assist with cross-brain connections to allow higher level cognitive processing; the horse and human being capable and responsible for their own control, thereby avoiding domination and control to support and encourage this… These are some of the main ideas I have taken away from this training. Thank-you! I also want to mention that your humble, loving, genuine and intelligent characters have provided a beautiful and fun way to learn. MAHALO!”
– Fronda Harris – Heart Ranch Co-founder
“Natural Lifemanship made their core fundamentals training accessible to all who wanted to join by making it virtual with a practical experience component and feedback. The course merged the biology of horses and humans perfectly with a trauma informed care lens. The trainers, Bettina and Tim, are extremely knowledgeable and made the concepts easy to understand for all learners through various readings, visuals, demos, and oral presentations. I am extremely grateful for this experience and can’t wait to apply all I have learned!!”
– Madison Lee, PsyD Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue
“The NL Virtual Fundamentals course was packed with learning. The videos and recordings of calls and webinars provided several days worth of content that one would have received at a multi-day in-person training. The practice and video with feedback component was a great alternative to an in-person opportunity to practice and receive instructions on fine tuning the methods. The forums allowed for discussion and interaction with the other students in the course. Office hours and additional support were also available – complete with a manual, all bases were thoroughly covered for a potent experience that will benefit anyone looking to enhance their work as a coach, therapist or an equine professional.”
– Christina Stinchcomb, Airy Hill Stables (Equine Gestalt Coach)
“Natural Lifemanship has changed the way I interact with horses and people. The principles that are taught are immediately and infinitely applicable.”
– Kurt Webb
“This Virtual Fundamentals course was terrific. Grounded in science, offering the benefit of decades of professional experience with horses and people, there was a rich depth to all the presentations. During this COVID time, this training was a treat for myself and something I did just for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and already have another online NL course in mind to start next. Highly recommended as a gift to yourself!! “
– Martha McNiel, LMFT, TRI, TDI, ESMHL, CEIP-MH, Director, DreamPower Horsemanship
“I admit, I was optimistic but skeptical at first, if the virtual training option would be a good fit, and would provide me with a clear understanding of the Natural Lifemanship principles, and how to apply them. However, after just the first week, I knew I made the right choice. The easy to follow platform, semi-structured learning and the different modalities used to deliver the content (blog articles, pages in the manual and video) made it interesting. The opportunity to engage in office hour discussions with the professionals and others in the cohort group, was invaluable and made it feel more “real”-as we can all learn from each other and our unique situations. Also, the screencast feedback was easy to understand and I liked the thoroughness each instructor took, to ensure I understand the “why” behind a comment. I appreciated that the trauma informed lens and neurodevelopment information are things that can be implemented in both of my work settings, schools (K-12) and in equine therapy sessions. I feel that this training has given me a more concrete understanding of Natural Lifemanship and I look forward to the continued learning it will provide.”
– Sarah Machold, LMSW, Supervisee in Social Work
“As a PATH Certified TRI and ESMHL working at a PATH center providing both therapeutic riding sessions as well as EAL sessions this was extremely beneficial. We are serving more and more individuals who have experienced trauma in our program. I now have a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts the brain and why the relationship with the horses are so important. The principles of this course are applicable to all areas of the program because it is about the relationship and the connection with the horse. Well worth the time. You will not be disappointed!”
– Emily Padgett, Program Director, Agape Therapeutic Riding Center
“The best equine assisted therapy training that I’ve ever had, and I’ve had many! I can finally answer the question of ‘Why Horses’ with more confidence and scientific understanding than ever before.”
– Juliet Wahlenmayer, NCC, LPC
“When working with individuals who have experienced trauma, the concepts and principles of NL target the key concerns of these individuals. The blending of attachment theory, neuroscience, and relationship principles are logically based and applicable within a therapy room, classroom, or home setting. It is a comprehensive program that incorporates the use of equines, creativity, music, movement, and sensory integration. Great program! I thoroughly enjoyed this training and can’t wait to utilize it! Thank you!”
– Cheryl Galligan
“I’d had a nagging curiosity about NL for years yet I just hadn’t found the time to attend a training. The Virtual Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship Training Program was the perfect introduction to NL for me. The content was absolutely top notch, going into great depth on all topics covered via video lectures from Tim and Bettina as well as actual video footage from previous clinics. I got to enjoy it all and learn…right at home! They have developed something very important with TF-NL. Bettina is very skilled at bringing scientific concepts of brain and trauma right down to ground level and turning them into almost easy conversation. Tim and Bettina are both incredibly engaging as well as experts in their fields. They share their work with joy, enthusiasm and equal amounts of wisdom and humility.”
– Mari Rubens RN, BSN, EFLC
“I was able to immediately start incorporating the principles of Natural Lifemanship into my office work and my work with horses. NL provides the focus on relationship in the work with horses that was missing in my previous experiences with EAP/L.”
– Sara Rietsch LPC, CAADC
“This foundations course is truly the intellectual equivalent to having a sturdy and well built foundation for a nice house.”
– Abby Martin
“This course has provided me with a strong base for which I can move on to certification with confidence.”
– Susan Mitchell |
by Sara Sherman | Mar 6, 2020 | Basics of Natural Lifemanship, Equine Assisted Trainings, Testimonials & Reflections
Sara Sherman is the founder of and a coach at Discovery Horse
Our business, Discovery Horse, has been doing a large volume of work in our community in MN. As our circle of influence grew it became essential that I have a succinct definition of Relationship Logic (the ground component of Natural Lifemanship) that I could share in our conversations with the community. I grabbed some language from the NL website and wrote a few words of my own. The following is the result of that endeavor. I hope it can be as helpful to you and your communities as it has been to mine. There are 2 versions. The first is a little wordier and clinical. I use this one for conversations with other mental health professionals and their agencies. The 2nd version is shorter and more easily digestible.
More in-depth version:
Relationship Logic® (RL) was developed by Natural Lifemanship and offers us a way to bring sound, consistent principles to the relationships in our lives. RL teaches that building attuned, connected relationships is always the primary goal from which other desirable outcomes follow. RL offers the neuroscience that empowers us to identify relationship patterns while maintaining the belief that our brains can change through new and healthy experiences. The ability to identify those patterns in a way that informs both compassionate understanding and a clear path to healthy change is an essential step toward healing, growth, and transformation. The principles we teach are the principles we practice and model in all of our relationships. We allow simple relationship principles to guide us as we work to transform these patterns. Behavioral patterns, especially those acquired in the early stages of development, are largely subconscious. They exist in the body and manifest as automatic reactions to situations we encounter each day. They become habitual. The way to change old patterns that no longer serve us is to practice something new. RL principles may be practiced in relationships with other people, and even within our relationships with ourselves, our families, animals, and communities. As these are practiced both during sessions and in daily life, new healthy patterns for relationships begin to replace old patterns that no longer serve us well. Connected and attuned relationships lead to healthy development; they contribute to healing at any age and enhance well-being.
Shorter Version:
Relationship Logic® (RL) was developed by Natural Lifemanship and offers us a way to bring sound, consistent principles to the relationships in our lives. RL teaches that building attuned, connected relationships is always the primary goal from which other desirable outcomes follow. RL offers the neuroscience that empowers us to identify relationship patterns while maintaining the belief that our brains can change through new and healthy experiences. The ability to identify these patterns in a way that informs both compassionate understanding and a clear path to healthy change is an essential step toward healing, growth, and transformation. The principles we teach are the principles we practice and model in all of our relationships. The way to change old patterns that no longer serve us is to practice something new. RL principles may be practiced in relationships everywhere; with ourselves, our families, our work teams, animals and communities. Connected and attuned relationships lead to healthy development; they contribute to healing at any age and enhance well-being.
Get started on your path with the Natural Lifemanship Institute.
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