Logo of SHINE with a heart outline wrapping a horse's head, and text reading "Somatic Healing Integration Through Nature & Equine Partnership"

32 CEUs-Approved & Trauma-Informed Equine Psychotherapy Certification

Walk Intuit, Inc. invites mental health professionals to experience a profound integration of somatic awareness, trauma-informed care, and the healing wisdom of horses.

The SHINE model offers more than training; it offers transformation. Grounded in nature, guided by horses, and focused on whole-person healing, this comprehensive certification program will forever change how you understand therapeutic connection.

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Learn to facilitate profound somatic healing using horses' natural capacity for nervous system co-regulation

🧠
Apply evidence-based trauma interventions beyond talk therapy to create embodied client change

🌿
Master nature-integrated treatment planning that amplifies therapeutic outcomes for diverse populations

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Build measurable clinical competencies in equine-assisted psychotherapy, safety protocols, and session facilitation

🤝
Earn [XX] CEU hours while transforming how you understand connection, healing, and therapeutic partnership

A woman with dark hair, wearing sunglasses, a hat, and a gray sleeveless top, gently touching the face of a chestnut horse with a blonde mane in an outdoor setting with a white fence and trees in the background.

The SHINE model is different. While other equine therapy approaches focus primarily on activities and observation, SHINE places equal emphasis on:

  • Deep body-based awareness and nervous system regulation

  • Honoring the sacred connection between human, horse, and earth

  • Creating safety for both clients and horses

  • Leveraging nature as an essential therapeutic partner

  • Prioritizing relationship over technique

Our philosophy is simple yet profound:
Horses are primary. Nature is medicine. Connection is healing.

Course Overview

Course Title: SHINE Equine-Assisted Therapy Training: Foundations in Somatic Healing Integration Through Nature & Equine-Partnership

Format: Two-weekend intensive (4 full days)
CEU Hours: 32 CEs of continuing education credit
Location: 905 Arlington Dr, Gate #9 Costa Mesa, CA 92626

This comprehensive training meets the qualifications for 32 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Walk Intuit, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Walk Intuit Inc. shall award continuing education credit hours on the basis that one continuing education credit is equal to one hour of instructional time. A continuing education hour is defined as a 60-minute hour. Continuing education credit shall be awarded only for instructional time. Lunch and other breaks shall not be included in total time awarded for continuing education credit. Courses will be a minimum of one continuing education hour, in one block of time.

Walk Intuit’s procedure for monitoring attendance includes having an attendance roster; sign-in/sign-out logs and requires program evaluations be completed by attendees in order to receive credit.

Educational Goals & Learning Objectives

The SHINE Certification Training is organized across two immersive weekends. By the end of 32 hours of hands-on, arena-based training, you'll be equipped to bring equine-assisted psychotherapy into your clinical practice with confidence, ethical grounding, and embodied skill.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

Weekend One: Foundations & Theory

Explain what Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is and how it differs from equine-assisted learning, therapeutic riding, and hippotherapy
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Identify the distinct roles of the Mental Health Practitioner and Equine Specialist in co-facilitated sessions
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Apply the five elements of the SHINE Model to a client-centered session framework
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Read horse body language and interpret emotional and behavioral responses as clinical data
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Apply polyvagal theory and nervous system co-regulation principles within an equine-assisted setting
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Practice somatic grounding techniques including breath synchronization, sensory awareness, and embodiment exercises in the arena
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Integrate mindfulness, somatic awareness, and opening/closing rituals into equine-assisted interventions
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Adapt holistic and spiritual practices to diverse client needs and cultural backgrounds

Weekend Two: Skills & Application

Conduct trauma-informed intake and assessment for EAP clients, including identifying contraindications and ethical considerations
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Translate clinical treatment goals into arena-based interventions using the three-phase session structure: Opening, Intervention, and Closing
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Observe the client-horse-relational field triad and use it to inform real-time clinical decision-making
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Navigate transference, projection, and parallel process in the equine-assisted setting
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Facilitate EAP sessions with specialized populations including youth, trauma survivors, individuals in recovery, and group formats
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Apply CAMFT ethical standards to EAP practice, covering informed consent, scope of competence, dual roles, and liability
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Complete clinical documentation using the TRACE framework and SOAP format
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Design a sustainable, ethically grounded EAP practice with pathways for supervision and continued education

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Who Should Attend

This training is specifically designed for:

  • Licensed Mental Health Professionals: LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs seeking to integrate equine-assisted therapy into their practice

  • Clinical Trainees: Associate-level clinicians (AMFTs, ASWs, APCCs) working toward licensure

  • Therapists in Private Practice: Seeking innovative, experiential modalities

  • Agency Clinicians: Working with trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues

  • Professionals Interested in Nature-Based Therapy: Looking to expand beyond traditional office settings

Prerequisites: Current California licensure or registration as LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, LEP, or associate-level clinician. No prior horse experience required.

What Makes SHINE Unique

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Horses as Primary

Unlike models where horses are simply "tools," SHINE honors horses as sentient, wise beings with their own therapeutic gifts. Minimum 70% of each session involves direct client-horse interaction.

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Nature as Co-Facilitator

We recognize the profound healing available in natural settings. SHINE integrates environmental awareness, seasonal wisdom, and earth-based grounding practices.

🤝
Trauma-Informed

Every element of SHINE is filtered through a trauma-sensitive lens that prioritizes safety and choice for both humans and horses.

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Somatic Integration

SHINE goes beyond cognitive processing to include body-based awareness, nervous system regulation, energy work, and spiritual connection practices.

✨
Talk Less, Observe More

SHINE emphasizes experiential learning and nonverbal communication, reducing excessive verbal processing in favor of embodied experience and reflection.

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Your Instructors


  • Supervisor and Co-Executive Director of Walk Intuit 

    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  #84884  

    • EMDR Trained 

    • Somatic Experiencing Trained

    • Eco Therapy Trained

    • EAGALA Trained

    • Shamanic Practitioner

    • Sound Healing.

    Specializing in:

A woman wearing a brown wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and a light pink shirt, petting a dark brown horse, with two other women and horses in the background at an outdoor ranch or farm setting.


  • Supervisor and Co-Executive Director of Walk Intuit  

    Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #1544 

    • EMDR Trained

    • EAGALA trained

    • Art Therapy trained

    • Sand Tray Therapy trained

    • Shamanic Practitioner 

    • Reiki Master

    • Sound Healing

    Specializing in:

    • Trauma, PTSD

    • Grief and Loss 

    • Spirituality 

    • Eating disorders

    •  Sexual Abuse/Assault Healing

    • LGBTQI+ Affirming

Tuition & Pricing

Tuition:
$[Amount]
•
Early Bird Discount:
$[Amount] if registered by [Date]

Payment Plans Available.
Please Email info@walkintuit.com

Included in Your Registration

4 full days of instruction and hands-on practice
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SHINE Training Manual and resource materials
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32 hours of continuing education credit
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Daily afternoon snacks and beverages
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Access to our herd of therapy horses
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Small group sizes (maximum 12 participants)
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Certificate of completion
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Post-training support and consultation resources

Read Full Program Terms & Conditions >>

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Certification & Continuing Education Credit (CEU)

Certificate Award

Participants who attend all four days and complete the program evaluation will receive their Certificate of Completion on Day Four of training. Certificates include the SHINE logo, participant name, dates of training, total CE hours earned, and signatures of lead instructors.

CE Credit Tracking

Attendance is verified through sign-in/sign-out logs and requires program evaluations be completed by attendees in order to receive credit. Participants must be present for the full training (excluding designated breaks and lunch) to receive CE credit.

 Policies & FAQs

  • Cancellations received 30+ days before training: full refund minus $100 processing fee. Cancellations 15-29 days before: 50% refund. Cancellations less than 14 days before: no refund, but registration may be transferred to future training date. Walk Intuit, Inc. reserves the right to cancel training due to insufficient enrollment; full refunds provided in this case.

  • Walk Intuit, Inc. is committed to providing equal access to all participants. If you require accommodations due to a disability, please contact us at info@walkintuit.com at least two weeks prior to the training start date so we can ensure appropriate arrangements.

  • Participants who have a concern or grievance related to the SHINE training program — including concerns about course content, instructor conduct, administrative processes, or CE credit — are encouraged to follow the steps outlined below. Walk Intuit, Inc. is committed to resolving all grievances promptly, fairly, and in good faith.

    Step 1: Submission
    Grievances must be submitted in writing via email to the program administrator at info@WalkIntuit.com. The grievance should include the participant's full name, license number, training date, and a clear description of the concern. Acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to the participant within 24 hours of submission.

    Step 2: Initial Review
    The program administrator will conduct an initial review of the grievance and respond to the participant with a proposed resolution or a request for additional information within 5 business days of acknowledgment.

    Step 3: Administrative Review
    If the participant is not satisfied with the initial response, they may request an escalated review by notifying the program administrator in writing within 5 business days of receiving the initial response. The co-directors of Walk Intuit, Inc. will jointly review the grievance and issue a formal written decision within 10 business days of the escalation request.

    Step 4: Final Resolution
    The written decision issued by the co-directors constitutes the final resolution of the grievance at the program level. If the participant remains unsatisfied following the final resolution, they may contact CAMFT and BBS directly regarding concerns related to continuing education standards and provider compliance.

    All grievances and their resolutions will be documented and retained in Walk Intuit's internal administrative records for a minimum of three years. Walk Intuit, Inc. does not discriminate or retaliate against any participant for submitting a grievance in good faith.

  • Participants who attend all four days and complete the program evaluation will receive their Certificate of Completion on Day Four of training. Certificates include the SHINE logo, participant name, dates of training, total CE hours earned, and signatures of lead instructors.

  • Attendance is verified through sign-in/sign-out logs and requires program evaluations be completed by attendees in order to receive credit. Participants must be present for the full training (excluding designated breaks and lunch) to receive CE credit.

Ready to Transform Your Practice?

Space is Limited to 12 Participants

Registration opens: [Date]
Early bird deadline: [Date]
Training dates: [Dates]

Register Today:

Email
info@walkintuit.com

Phone
213-286-1031

Location
905 Arlington Dr, Gate #9
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Walk Intuit, Inc., CAMFT Approved Provider #XXXXX, is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and educational psychologists. Walk Intuit, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.