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certifications
Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Foundation
For mental health practitioners interested in incorporating horses into their practice.
+1 (802) 823 2888
+1 (802) 823 2888
For mental health practitioners interested in incorporating horses into their practice.
The HERD Institute® offers Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Training for licensed mental health practitioners. Graduate students who are in the process of obtaining mental health licensure are also eligible to apply. Our training focuses on the philosophical, theoretical, and experiential process of incorporating equines into working with clients.
Through the help of our herd of horses, students will gain a deeper understanding of how their own process impacts their client relationships. Our certification program is offered as a hybrid model combining online study, live webinars, and in-person practicums.
For US students, The HERD Institute® EFP Foundation Certification is offered with CE approval by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)*, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)**, and the American Psychological Association (APA).***
Flexible online learning modules combined with live webinars accommodate diverse learning styles and provide a comprehensive educational experience.
Individual clinical supervision is provided by our faculty members. Students are assigned a primary supervisor to support them throughout the training process.
Our 5-Day practicums bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that students graduate with the confidence and competence needed to provide ethical clinical practice.
To apply, simply submit your online application, pay the application fee, and sign our Commitment of Belonging. You will then be invited to an informal interview.
You can choose your Certification Pathway based on time, finances, and professional goals. Our FlexPath journey offers you maximum choice and a more relaxed pace of learning. Our Accelerated option provides a fast-paced, immersive experience. Take our quiz to find your best fit!
The HERD ESSENTIALS is an online course designed to provide you with an introduction to The HERD Approach™ of incorporating horses into human services. After completing HERD Essentials, you will gain access to additional online, self-directed modules based on your FlexPath or Accelerated route.
You will complete supervision sessions with an assigned HERD EFP Primary Supervisor as a part of your learning journey. The required number of supervision sessions varies based on the learning journey you select.
You'll attend a Live Webinar before coming to Practicum. This is a chance for you to meet your fellow course mates and connect before meeting in person at Practicum. In this 2 hour session, you'll have the opportunity to discuss the online material, ask questions, and find out more about your upcoming Practicum.
Our 5-day, in-person Practicums are held at various locations. You will get the chance to experience EFP for yourself, have ample practice at facilitating EFP sessions, and put all your online learning into practice.
Once you complete all your requirements and assessment process, you will be certified based on the learning journey selected. Certification indicates that you have successfully met the rigorous standards needed to be able to go out and do the work as a HERD Institute graduate.
The program is designed to be flexible and accessible to a wide range of practitioners. Students fulfill the following requirements to gain the EFP
Foundation 1 Certification:
Foundation 2 Certification requirements:
| LIVE WEBINAR | PRACTICUMS |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 2nd, 2026 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | October 12 – 16, 2026 (Perry, OH) |
| Friday, January 15, 2027 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | February 15 -19, 2027 (Cleveland, TX) |
| Friday, April 2nd, 2027 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | May 3 – 7, 2027 (Johnstown, OH) |
| Friday, July 23, 2027 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | August 16 – 20, 2027 (Johnstown, OH ) |
FULL TUITION UPFRONT
$3500 ($1,000 non-refundable deposit included)
PAYMENT PLAN
$225/month over 12 months with $1,000 non-refundable deposit = $3700
ELIGIBLE DISCOUNT RATE
$2,975 Full Tuition Upfront ($1,000
non-refundable deposit included)
– OR –
$180/month for 12 months + $1,000 non-refundable deposit = $3,160
The HERD Institute® Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) Foundation Certification is designed to offer training to licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other allied health professionals interested in incorporating horses into their work. Graduate students who are in the process of obtaining mental health licensure are also eligible to apply. Admission to the training program will be at the discretion of the HERD faculty.
The HERD Institute® Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) Foundation Certification starts in January, May or September each year. Deadline for January enrollment is November 1st, the deadline for May enrollment is March 1st and the deadline for September is July 1st.
To apply, simply complete our online application form, pay the application fee, and sign our Commitment of Belonging. You will then be invited to an informal interview, after which your application will be reviewed by our Admissions Team. You will receive a decision within 5 business days of your interview.
Please review the requirements for Foundation 1 and Foundation 2 above or download the brochure for detailed requirements for each component of the Flexpath option. For more information, please contact us at info@herdinstitute.com!
Each of our online modules requires students to complete all quizzes and assignments within 4 weeks of the module start date. Each online module requires on average around 20 hours to complete.
Our online modules are designed to be both engaging and thought-provoking. Each module includes a mix of quizzes and written assignments that encourage reflection and critical thinking. Each module is designed to be completed within one month. We estimate the time commitment for each module is approximately 6 to 8 hours per week, but completion time can vary depending on your individual learning style and schedule.
We strongly recommend setting aside regular time each week to work through the material. Waiting until the last minute can lead to unnecessary stress and may impact the quality of your work. Staying consistent will help you get the most out of your learning experience.
See if you are eligible for funding through MyCAA! Click HERE to get started.
The program is designed to be flexible and accessible to a wide range of practitioners. Students fulfill the following requirements to gain the EFP Foundation 2 Certification:
| LIVE WEBINAR | PRACTICUMS |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 2nd, 2026 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | October 12 – 16, 2026 (Perry, OH ) |
| Friday, January 15th, 2027 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | February 15 – 19, 2027 (Cleveland, TX) |
| Friday, April 2, 2027 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | May 3 – 7, 2027 (Johnstown, OH) |
| Friday, July 23, 2027 1 pm – 3 pm (EST) | August 16 – 20, 2027 (Johnstown, OH) |
FULL TUITION UPFRONT
$7,000 ($1,400 non-refundable deposit included)
PAYMENT PLAN
$475/month over 12 months + $1,400 non-refundable deposit = $7,100
ELIGIBLE DISCOUNT
RATE
$5,950 Full Tuition Upfront ($1,400 non-refundable deposit included)
– OR –
$385/month for 12 months + $1,400 non-refundable deposit = $6,020
The HERD Institute® Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) Foundation Certification is designed to offer training to licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other allied health professionals interested in incorporating horses into their work. Graduate students who are in the process of obtaining mental health licensure are also eligible to apply. Admission to the training program will be at the discretion of the HERD faculty.
The HERD Institute® Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) Foundation Certification starts in January, May or September each year. Deadline for January enrollment is November 1st, the deadline for May enrollment is March 1st, and the deadline for September is July 1st.
To apply, simply complete our online application form, pay the application fee, and sign our Commitment of Belonging. You will then be invited to an informal interview, after which your application will be reviewed by our Admissions Team. You will receive a decision within 5 business days of your interview.
Our Acceleration Certification Pathway consists of 5 online modules, 2 Live Webinars, and 2 in-person practicums. Completion of the Accelerated curriculum will lead to graduation as an EFP Foundation 2 Practitioner.
Each of our online modules requires students to complete all quizzes and assignments within 4 weeks of the module start date. Each online module requires on average around 20 hours to complete.
Our online modules are designed to be both engaging and thought-provoking. Each module includes a mix of quizzes and written assignments that encourage reflection and critical thinking. Each module is designed to be completed within one month. We estimate the time commitment for each module is approximately 6 to 8 hours per week, but completion time can vary depending on your individual learning style and schedule.
We strongly recommend setting aside regular time each week to work through the material. Waiting until the last minute can lead to unnecessary stress and may impact the quality of your work. Staying consistent will help you get the most out of your learning experience.
See if you are eligible for funding through MyCAA! Click HERE to get started.
*The HERD Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6845. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The HERD Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. The Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Certification offers 14 hours of CE per practicum and 2 clock hours of CE per Live Webinar, for a total of 16 hours of CE for Foundation 1 and 32 hours of CE for Foundation 2.
**The HERD Institute Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Practicum, 6766, is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by The HERD Institute LLC as an individual course. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 6/12/26 – 6/12/28. Social workers completing this course receive 6 General, 3 Clinical, 2 Ethics & 3 Social and Cultural Competence Continuing Education credits (Total 14 CEs).
***APA Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology, is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. APA Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Our Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy Certification offers 10 clock hours of CE per practicum and 1 clock hours of CE per Live Webinar.
Click here for a detailed breakdown of CEs for The HERD Institute Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Practicum