Epona Apprenticeship: Mental Health Components

Students learn how to:

Create containment and a consistently safe and nurturing environment conducive to optimal learning.

Understand and recognize Dissociation, including the differences between Discordant and Concordant Dissociation
Identify client’s coping strategies and behavioral patterns used to survive, assisting him or her in developing behaviors which move them to a place of thriving rather than surviving
Clearly identify various Personality Traits and distinguish between Traits and more severe Personality Disorders
Understand projection and transference and their role in relationships
Appreciate when a client needs more than education and therefore when to refer the client for counseling or psychotherapy
Know, through body cues and thought patterns, when the facilitator is triggered and be able to effectively deal with these personal issues
Identify subtle energetic cues from the horse, which will enable clients to understand fully their own subtle energies and underlying thought patterns
Differentiate between the client’s and the facilitator’s intuitive messages and intruding thoughts
“Dance” with clients: to move in and out of their process, assisting them without too many words while providing consistent support

Students explore:

Ways of incorporating art, music, and dance into workshops, horse camps, and therapeutic sessions
Transformational activities with horses, including shamanic journeys, myth, storytelling, and journaling
Approaches to greater self-awareness and acceptance through mindfulness practices
Techniques for using the Epona Approach in teaching riding

For more information contact Carol Roush at carol@medicinehorseranch.com or 520-455-5058.

Epona Equestrian Services