Become a Certified Natural Lifemanship® Professional
Your clear, guided path to certification — now with new internship opportunities.
Healing through connection is not learned in theory alone. It requires practice, presence, and embodiment.
Natural Lifemanship Certification offers a clear and supported pathway to deepen your skills while staying rooted in the principles of attachment and neuroscience.
Through guided practice, consultation, and mentorship, certification ensures you are ready to deliver healing work that is both effective and lasting, and each step prepares you to integrate horses into the healing process.
NL Certification is for you if:
You want to demonstrate to clients and colleagues that you hold the highest level of training in equine-assisted services.
You want to strengthen your professional credibility with a respected credential backed by science, mentorship, and experiential learning.
You’re ready to grow your practice by offering services rooted in trauma-informed, relationship-based principles that create lasting impact.
Learning That Transforms You and Those You Serve
“The quality and depth of the courses and consultations is truly transformative.
My certification represents significant professional growth in the field of equine assisted psychotherapy, an increased capacity to partner with others, and the impact NL has had on my own journey of healing.”
Marla Lipscomb
MSW, LCSW, and NL Certification Student
Details
What: NL Certification
When: Enrollment for the certification process is always open.
Registration for online learning opens at designated times throughout the year. Currently, in-person trainings take place at NL Headquarters in Brenham, TX or Horse Sense of the Carolinas in Marshall, NC. Beginning Summer 2026, we’ll be offering internships to help you earn client hours, along with a fully in-person certification program. More details will be shared soon.
Effective October 27th, 2025 – NL certification requires attending at least one qualified in-person training in addition to the online requirements. Certification students who enrolled prior to October 27th, 2025 and whose annual certification membership is active may be exempt from the in-person training requirement so long as they complete all certification requirements by September 1, 2026.
Where: Online and in person.
Beginning in the summer of 2026, you can also choose how you complete the process by selecting either the Gradual Track (the current blended online and in-person option) or the Fast Track (a fully in-person, immersive season at NL Headquarters).
Why: Certification equips you to integrate Natural Lifemanship principles into real client work with depth and integrity. Through a blend of online learning, client hours with mentorship and feedback, and guided, in-person practicums, you’ll gain the applied experience and professional credibility needed to bring healing through connection to those you serve.
Registering for NL Certification costs $375/year* and includes:
- A certification hub in our community to guide you through the process
- NL membership (check out our membership perks here)
- A practitioner listing on our website (you’ll be listed in the NL Practitioner Directory as soon as you sign up for certification so clients can find you right from the start of your journey; you will have the opportunity to complete your profile and to hide your listing if you do not want one)
- Online courses offering CE hours needed to maintain your certification
*There are additional expenses beyond the annual certification fee (see below). Other certification requirements are met on a pay-as-you-go basis.
What NL Certifications Participants are Saying
“This was not my first certification, but it was by far the most comprehensive and personally meaningful.
The NL team has depth, compassion and are 100% committed to the success of both the horse and the student.”
Martha McNiel, LMFT, TRI, TDI, TSMHL
NL Certification Student
Director of DreamPower Horsemanship
Components of NL Certification
Each element is designed to give you structured practice, mentorship, and real-world application so you can fully embody the work.
Online Learning
Your journey begins with two core online trainings: Fundamentals and the Intensive.
These structured courses ground you in the principles of connection, attachment, and neuroscience, and then guide you deeper into advanced skills and personal growth. Both trainings combine video lessons, interactive assignments, and opportunities for feedback so you can learn at your own pace with support. Together, they form the foundation of your certification process.
In-Person Practicum
All certification students must attend at least one qualified in-person training. This immersive, hands-on experience ensures you are fully prepared to bring NL principles into your client work.
If you enrolled in certification prior to October 27th, 2025 and your certification membership is active, you will remain exempt from the in-person training requirement so long as you complete your certification by September 1, 2026.
Client Work Supported by Consultation & Mentorship
You’ll work alongside NL trainers who provide real-time guidance and feedback via zoom. Through consultations and case reviews, you’ll be supported as you integrate the work, with mentors walking alongside you as you bring NL principles into your practice.
Client Hours (60 required)
Certification requires direct client work, and starting in Summer 2026, you can complete your hours in the way that works best for you: with your own clients, through our on-site Summer Internship program at NL Headquarters with mentored client hours, or via the fully in-person certification program, where all training and client work happen together in an immersive setting. Mentors provide guidance and support throughout, no matter which path you choose.
Community of Practice
You’ll join a network of peers moving through the certification process, sharing insights, breakthroughs, and encouragement along the way.
Ongoing Support
From office hours to consultations, you’ll have structured touchpoints with experienced trainers who are invested in your success.
Flexible Tracks to Certification
Every journey to certification is unique. We’ve designed two tracks so you can move at the pace and format that works best for you.
Gradual Track
(Blended Online + In-Person)
Move at your own pace with a blend of online + in-person steps.
Take each step as you’re ready. Complete the Fundamentals and Intensive online and at least one qualified in-person training, while earning your client hours through your own practice or our Summer Internship program.
New in 2026
Fast Track (Fully In-Person, Beginning Summer 2026)
Complete everything in one immersive season at NL Headquarters
The Fast Track brings together every part of certification in one setting at NL Headquarters in Brenham, TX. Over the course of the summer, you’ll move through all requirements—Fundamentals, Intensive, Practicum, mentorship, and client hours—in a fully integrated environment.
Each day, you’ll learn and practice alongside seasoned NL instructors, engage with real clients, and embody the principles of NL in a supportive, community-based setting. By the end of summer, you’ll be ready to carry this work forward in the world.
Details on dates, registration, and enrollment will be announced soon—stay tuned so you don’t miss your opportunity to join the Fast Track.
Choose Your Certification Pathway – (Required Step!)
Every practitioner must formally enroll in NL Certification by choosing one of three pathways. This is where your journey officially begins.
NLC-P
For therapists, coaches, and other practitioners who partner with an equine professional to deliver equine assisted services.
NLC-EP
For equine professionals who collaborate with practitioners to bring the healing power of horse–human connection into sessions.
NLC-P, EP
For practitioners who also have the horse experience needed to deliver equine assisted services, *on the ground, with or without a partner.
*Mounted EAS work always requires a team approach.
Unsure which certification path is best for you? Take this quiz to find out.
The Certification Journey
Certification is a guided path, with each step building on the last, supporting you as you bring Natural Lifemanship into your practice with care and intention.
STEP 1 >>
Fundamentals of
Natural Lifemanship
Begin your journey with the Foundations + Fundamentals Practicum, Core, Jumpstart, or Jumpstart + LIVE option. This training grounds you in the principles of connection, attachment, and neuroscience.
STEP 1A: Fundamentals Practicum (In Person)
This 3-day practicum offers real-time, guided practice to help you embody the core principles. For certification students selecting the Foundations option of the Fundamentals training, this practicum is required. It is optional but equally recommended for those who complete the Core or Jumpstart options of the Fundamentals of NL training. The Fundamentals Practicum is one of the in-person trainings that satisfies the in-person training requirement* for NL Certification.
STEP 2 >>
The NL Intensive
Deepen your knowledge and embodiment of NL principles when you sign up for the NL Intensive Foundations + Intensive Practicum or NL Intensive Core. The Intensive builds on the Fundamentals with advanced skills and personal growth work.
STEP 2A: Intensive Practicum (In Person)
Also a 3-day in-person experience, this practicum gives you the opportunity to practice and refine more advanced skills. For students selecting the Foundations option of the Intensive training, this practicum is required. It is optional but equally recommended for those who complete the NL Intensive Core training. The Intensive Practicum is one of the in-person trainings that satisfies the in-person training requirement* for NL Certification.
*Enrolled in certification before October 27th, 2025? Complete certification by September 1, 2026 to remain under the previous requirements that do not include the in-person training. Certification membership must remain active, as well.
STEP 3 >>
Enroll in Certification
At any point before STEP 4, you may officially enroll in the NL Certification program by choosing your pathway (NLC-P, NLC-EP, or NLC-P, EP).
Enrollment marks your formal entry into the certification process and gives you access to mentorship and structured support as you continue your journey.
Enrollment costs $375 and must be renewed annually. A subscription is created when you enroll, and your annual fee will be charged automatically each year unless cancelled.
STEP 4 >>
Complete Client Hours While Being Supported by Consultation and Mentorship
Certification requires direct practice with clients while receiving mentorship and guidance by seasoned NL trainers as you complete group and individual consultations. Complete your client hours through your own practice, the Summer Internship Program at NL Headquarters (beginning in 2026), or the immersive in-person certification track (also beginning in 2026). During your individual consultations you will review your client cases and video assignments with your NL consultants. During group consultations, you will benefit from multiple case reviews. This is where you learn to apply our principle-based approach to a wide variety of client cases and situations that arise in sessions.
STEP 4A: Complete Individual Consultations
STEP 4B: Complete Group Consultations
STEP 5 >>
Attend One In-Person Training
At least one in-person training is required for NL Certification. In these trainings and retreats, you’ll step into real-time, hands-on practice with horses and your colleagues, all under the guidance of NL trainers. This collaborative approach helps you embody the principles, integrate your learning, and gain the clarity and confidence you need for your own sessions. Both the Fundamentals Practicum (STEP 1A) and the Intensive Practicum (STEP 2A) meet this requirement. Learn about the other qualified in-person trainings that satisfy this certification requirement, here.
*Enrolled in certification before October 27th, 2025? Complete certification by September 1, 2026 to remain under the previous requirements that do not include the in-person training. Certification membership must remain active, as well.
STEP 6 >>
Certification Achievement
Once you’ve met all requirements, you’ll submit an application to earn your NL Certification. Upon approval, you will be officially recognized as NL Certified in our practitioner directory and you will receive a digital certificate of completion that can be shared and embedded on your website and social media. Most importantly, you will have gained the confidence and experience needed to bring powerful healing through connection.
STEP 7 >>
Advanced Certification (Optional)
Earning your basic NL Certification is just the beginning! We hope tiy will continue your journey to earn Advanced Certification. This next level of training and mentorship includes immersive specialty courses, consultations, and advanced practice opportunities designed to deepen your expertise and broaden your impact.
For Advanced Certification, you must complete:
- Rhythmic Riding (RR) Immersion
- Relationship Logic (RL) Immersion
- The Personal Immersion or Connected Horsemanship can be substituted for the RR or RL Immersion so long as they were not used to satisfy the basic certification in-person training requirement.
- One additional training to specialize or deepen your learning. (Personal Immersion, NL for Spiritual Connection, EC-EMDR, Connected Horsemanship, Community-Based Specialty Course, or the 2023 Sacred Landscapes Conference can be applied toward this requirement.)
- Complete a specialization assignment
- Complete 5 consultations related to your specialization assignment or project
Interested in Advanced Certification? Contact us and we’ll help you get started.
Take a closer look at the NL Certification process
For a full breakdown of certification requirements and costs, download this chart.
Details
What: NL Certification
When: Enrollment for the certification process is always open.
Registration for trainings opens at designated times throughout the year. Currently, in-person trainings take place at NL Headquarters in Brenham, TX or Horse Sense of the Carolinas in Marshall, NC. Beginning Summer 2026, we’ll be offering internships to help you earn client hours, along with a fully in-person certification program. More details will be shared soon.
If you enrolled in NL certification prior to October 27th, 2025 and your certification membership is active, you may complete certification without attending an in-person practicum so long as your certification is completed by September 1, 2026. After this date, you will be subject to the current requirements, which include attending at least one qualified in-person training.
Where: Online and in person.
Beginning in the summer of 2026, you can also choose how you complete the process by selecting either the Gradual Track (a blended online and in-person option) or the Fast Track (a fully in-person, immersive season at NL Headquarters).
Why: Certification equips you to integrate Natural Lifemanship principles into real client work with depth and integrity. Through a blend of online learning, client hours with mentorship and feedback,and guided, in-person practicums, you’ll gain the applied experience and professional credibility needed to bring healing through connection to those you serve.
Not sure if NL Certifications is right for you? Here’s what people are saying…
“This isn’t just a professional training. It’s the opportunity to learn an entirely new way of being in the world and relating to others – people as well as horses. I can’t wait to continue the journey.”
-Robin Cruise, LCSW, Signal Mountain, TN
“Fundamentals opened my eyes to the importance of connection within myself and with others. I think of the famous saying “Know Thyself” and appreciate the simplicity and yet profoundness of this statement. As a therapist, I realized there were still unconnected parts within myself that were stored away, wrapped in a package and tied with a neat bow. This training has allowed a safe space to retrieve these packages and view them through a new lens; a lens of grace, patience and hope; and to know that when I dare to go deeper in connection with myself, I can reach deeper connectedness in a therapeutic relationship with my clients. Thank you, NL.”
-Debora Brown-Cumpton, LCSW, CADC
“The principles in this training deepened my work with telehealth clients even before I’ve begun using it with equines and clients in person. Learning more about forming real connection and the similarities between horses’ and humans’ brains was both mind-blowing and affirming.”
-Peggy Zaloga, LCSW
FAQ
Do I need to attend an in-person training to become certified?
Yes. All certification students must complete at least one in-person practicum (Fundamentals or Intensive) or other qualified in-person training.* This ensures you are fully prepared to integrate NL principles into client work.
*Connected Horsemanship or the Personal Immersion can also be counted toward NL Certification, instead of a practicum. (Once one of these is used to count toward NL Certification it can no longer be applied toward Advanced NL Certification.) Here’s a resource that can help: Choosing Your Path: How to Select the Right In-Person Training for NL Certification.
If you enrolled in NL certification prior to October 27th, 2025, you must complete your certification by September 1, 2026 in order to remain under the previous requirements, which do not require attending an in-person practicum.
Can other in-person trainings count toward my certification?
Yes, you can choose Connected Horsemanship or the Personal Immersion instead of one of the Practicums. It’s important to select the in-person training that is right for you. Here’s a resource that can help: Choosing Your Path: How to Select the Right In-Person Training for NL Certification.
I signed up for certification before October 27th, 2025. Do the new requirements apply to me?
If you enrolled in the NL certification process prior to October 27th, 2025, you may be exempt from the in-person training requirement so long as you maintain an active certification membership and you complete all your certification requirements by September 1st, 2026. After this date, the new in-person practicum requirement will apply to all students.
What if I don’t have access to clients for my required hours?
Beginning in 2026, NL Certification offers three clear tracks to help you meet the 60 required client hours.
- Your own clients (gradual track) – Complete certification hours independently with mentor support.
- Summer Internship at NL Headquarters (gradual track) – Gain mentored client hours on-site.
- Fully in-person certification program (fast track) – Immerse yourself in training and client work together.
Mentors guide you every step of the way, no matter which option you choose.
How long does certification usually take?
Most students complete certification in 18–24 months, depending on their client load and pace. With the new Summer Certification option, you can complete all requirements in one immersive season.
Who is eligible for certification?
Healing professionals, equine professionals, and those seeking to integrate equines into their practice are eligible for certification. NL offers three certification pathways: NLC-P, NLC-EP, and NLC-P,EP so you can choose the one that best fits your role. Not sure which pathway is best for you? Take our quiz to find out!
Beginning in 2026, you can also choose how you complete the process by selecting either the Gradual Track (a blended online and in-person option) or the Fast Track (a fully in-person, immersive season at NL Headquarters).
What happens after I complete certification?
After earning your NL Certification, you may choose to pursue Advanced Certification. This next level of training includes additional immersions, consultations, and specialty courses such as Rhythmic Riding, Relationship Logic, Personal Immersion, or Connected Horsemanship.
Advanced Certification gives you the opportunity to specialize further, deepen your practice, and continue growing with NL. Contact us to learn more.
NL Certification (whether basic or advanced) must be maintained by:
- Staying active with the annual certification membership dues (currently $375/year). If you do not renew your membership, you will no longer be NL Certified. Certification membership includes all NL Membership benefits plus more.
- Continually learning and developing yourself and your skillset. You will document your continuing education activity each year when you renew your membership. CE requirements may be satisfied by completing courses available to you for no additional cost through your membership, as well as through other NL trainings and offerings, and also through learning with others.
Advanced Certification gives you the opportunity to specialize further, deepen your practice, and continue growing with NL. Contact us to learn more.
Certification is more than a credential.
It’s a commitment to healing through connection—within yourself, with your clients, and with the horses who partner in the work.
Your next step begins here.
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