In addition to the three on-site nine-day training sessions and ongoing support from small group facilitators, apprentices will have four (4) hours of individual consultation with Linda throughout the year, and four (4) hours with other designated Epona staff of their choosing.
It is important that apprentices understand the financial and time commitment involved. In addition to the three on-site training weeks, there are between session reading and writing assignments, as well as riding lesson and horsemanship assignments. As part of their financial commitment, apprentices should factor into their budgets allowance for lodging and meals other than lunch during the three on-site weeks, book purchases, and for riding and horsemanship lessons (up to 10). Upon graduation, and once they begin doing the Epona Approach™ work, newly approved instructors are asked to engage in six sessions of supervision with an Epona approved supervisor.
We do not expect apprentices to be able to handle the intensity of this work without their own issues surfacing from time to time. However, in order to consistently maintain the safety needed for clients and horses, apprentices must be able to quickly identify their triggers and the behavior patterns that follow.
One of Epona’s principles is identifying and differentiating between congruent vs. incongruent feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. For instance, as individuals we have good and bad days, outside stresses, and unexpected circumstances that contribute to fluctuations in wellness and awareness. When it comes to mirroring hidden emotions, horses do not distinguish between the client and the facilitator. Thus apprentices must also learn to process any of their own incongruities that may arise while facilitating others. This is an opportunity for the apprentice to model, in the client's presence, how to process the information.
There is a fine line between being "real" and being professional. Apprentices will succeed as long as they maintain self-awareness, integrity, and consistency with their words and are willing to seek and receive feedback from instructors, other facilitators, and clients.
Find out more about the program:
- Overview
- Prerequisites
- The Selection Process
- Personal Commitment
- Equine Components
- Mental Health Components
For more information contact Mary-Louise Gould at ml@theeponacenter.com or 520-975-6126.