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Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate
The Equine-Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) practitioner certificate program is open to mental health professionals and graduate students who want to enhance their clinical practice through incorporating interactions with horses and the equine environment. You will receive the education, training, and supervision/consultation necessary for ethical practice within your scope, including techniques tailored to your clinical interests and the clients you serve.
The 10-month certificate program includes courses accessed online, projects, three residential workshops, client work and additional trainings. EAMH emphasizes science-based understanding of human-horse interactions and equine behavior, welfare and training.
Program Competencies:
Theory, Ethics, Research and Knowledge
A thorough understanding of theoretical foundations and state of research helps practitioners understand how equine interactions and the equine environment are included within psychotherapy and counseling. Advanced knowledge in this area underpins competent practice, builds connections to the larger mental health community and facilitates cross-disciplinary communication.
Delivering Treatment and Considerations for Your Practice
Delivering treatment that effectively and ethically incorporates equine interactions requires individual and group facilitation skills, treatment planning specific to the populations and theoretical approach the practitioner is trained in, intentionality, risk management, facility and environmental considerations, and sound business practices.
Equine-Related Competencies
A core part of competent practice is in-depth understanding of horses, their welfare, behavior, needs and communication, as well as selection, assessment, management and training of therapy horses to create a healthy and sustainable environment for all involved. Careful consideration of the ethics surrounding horses as part of mental health services is necessary, both specific to the therapeutic environment and the therapist-client relationship, and to broader human-horse interactions.
For more information and to apply, please visit: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/education-certificates/equine-assisted-mental-health-practitioner-certificate