~ What certifications are available in the equine assisted field~?

The primary requirement for any therapist seeking to do equine assisted/facilitated psychotherapy is a license designated by each state’s licensure requirements for mental health professionals. The standards for both NARHA/EFMHA and EAGALA require that a licensed mental health professional provide the psychotherapeutic services in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy [EAP] or Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy [EFP].

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EAGALA requires a team comprised of a licensed mental health provider and a horse specialist. ____________________________________________________________

EFMHA standards require written evidence of legal credentialing of the mental health provider who maintains professional liability insurance and is a NARHA certified instructor or assisted by a NARHA certified instructor when conducting EFP sessions. All NARHA/EFMHA standards may be viewed online by their members only. Within this organization certification is provided for NARHA certified instructors at different levels. EFMHA provides Equine Specialist training.
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The Certified Facilitated Mental Health and Education Professionals [CCEFMHEP] is a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization, started by professionals in the field who feel a credential for equine facilitated professionals is needed to identify the body of knowledge and those who practice in the field. http://www.equinefacilitatedprofessional.org/ This is a test of information, not a facilitators training.

Ann Alden, EFMHA President 2007, explains the national credentialing rationale here.

This organization is comprised primarily of EFMHA related members and based on EFMHA standards. EAGALA Board Chairman, Don Zimmerman, withdrew from the CCEFMHEP board as explained in an August 1, 2007, message on the former MSN Eagala listserv HERE . Greg Kersten, EAGALA founder, and owner of the OK Corral Series declined the invitation to join this organization, and his letter to them explaining why can be obtained HERE.

CCEFMHEP held its first certification test in December 2007.

EAGALA has responded HERE .

EGEA has responded HERE.

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Greg Kersten’s OK Corral Series offers his certification and CEU’s http://www.okcorralseries.com/CEUs.html

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Innovative Horizons has a certification program for Equine Assisted
Professional Development for the Corporate & Business Training field.