Comprehensive Skill Set
Learn how biophilic connections, mindfulness practices, somatic awareness, and experiential learning can be integrated within the context of safe, respectful, and relationally-oriented equine (or other animal) interactions.
Immersive Embodied Learning
Prepare to drop into the learning experience of a lifetime! This 8+ month course combines the best of personal and professional development offered via 40+ hours of LIVE online classes, a private online learning platform including hundreds of hours of specially-curated articles, videos, and activities, AND an in-person immersive workshop!!!
Ethical Competency Framework
Aligned with ACA's Animal-Assisted Therapy Competencies this course provides a framework to safely and ethically include animals, nature, and embodied mindfulness practices in therapy and learning.
About the Course
Embark on a transformative journey with the Embodied Awareness in Action™ Practitioner Training. This is truly a not-to-be missed opportunity to study, learn, and grow with Leif Hallberg, a “master” of experiential therapy and learning! Gain a dynamic skill set applicable in clinical practice and diverse learning/wellness environments, both with and without horses. This training is an intimate, powerful, and PERSONAL learning experience. It is about a dedication to self-study, to life-long learning, to increasing competency, to raising the bar, to investing in your own personal and professional growth, and to doing it together – in community. As Leif says, this isn’t a spectator sport! Prepare to go deep and authentically explore your relationships with self, other, and the natural world! The Embodied Awareness in Action ™ Practitioner Training brings together Leif’s 25+ years of learning, study, research, teaching, and practice and combines her deep understanding of biophilic connections with mindfulness practices, principles of somatic (or embodied) awareness, and experiential learning – all within the context of safe, respectful, and relationally-oriented equine interactions. This 200+ hour training is an immersive self-directed personal and professional development experience delivered through a hybrid of in-person, synchronous (online in-person), and asynchronous (on your own) learning, group process, and 1:1 support over approximately 8 months. The class integrates sound clinical or educational skills with self-awareness training, mindfulness and somatic practices, facilitation training, and equine knowledge — all the while deepening connections to self, others, and the natural world. Aligned with the American Counseling Association’s Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling Competencies, this course provides a strong foundation of education, practice, and supervision plus a framework to continually assess skill levels in the various areas of competency required to safely and ethically provide interactions that include animals in learning or therapy services. To join this growing community of dedicated learners you don’t need to be an expert or bring years of experience. Participants come to this course with all levels of experience and knowledge and this is why the “magic” happens. We learn together — from each other and with each other. We are committed to the process of learning and seek to share a challenging, rewarding, and safe personal and professional growth experience with other like-minded and passionate individuals.
Core Teachings
The Embodied Awareness in Action™ Practitioner Training is delivered in seven learning modules over approximately eight months of study via 20+ LIVE group calls facilitated by Leif and a private online learning platform with hundreds of hours of specially-curated resources including articles, videos, and activities.
The Practitioner as Person & Professional
During the first two modules we take a deep and personal dive into topics designed to increase awareness around how we show up in the world and how we engage and interact with self and others. As Leif says, "how we do one thing is how we do all things" and this module gently invites learners to see, feel, and experience themselves and the world around them with greater clarity. As we travel into the second module, you will learn about the professional competencies associated with including equines (or other animals), nature, and embodied mindfulness in mental health and learning. You be invited to explore your skills, knowledge, and attitudes through a process of non-judgmental and authentic self-assessment, self-evaluation, and self-reflection.
Understanding, Respecting, Tending To, and Partnering with Our Equine Colleagues
Understanding our equine colleagues as individuals and as a species, and knowing how to foster respectful, safe, and collegial relationships is a critical component of ethical practice. During the next two modules you will be introduced to the basics of equine ethology, and learn about the ethological characteristics of equines including how equines communicate, react, and respond, and discuss how ethology informs care, handling, and welfare practices. We will also carefully consider the ethics of appropriating another species for the wellbeing of humans and how we can work in respectful partnership with our equine colleagues.
The Embodied Awareness in Action™ Framework & Model
During this module learners are introduced to the conceptual framework of Leif’s Embodied Awareness in Action™ model. Learners investigate the healing power of nature, explore experiential learning theory, and get up close and personal with concepts of embodied awareness, somatic experiencing, and mindfulness practices.
The Business of Embodied Awareness in Action™
This is where the rubber hits the road! During this module learners will be guided through the critical aspects needed to successfully implement a business or bring the Embodied Awareness in Action ™ model into an already existing practice.
Facilitating the Embodied Awareness in Action™ Model
Facilitation is a life-long practice. This module invites learners to step in wherever they are along that path with the gentle reminder that there will always be more to learn, practice, and refine. During this module we will consider the attributes, qualities, and skills of the experiential facilitator while discussing how to screen and select participants, how to write S.M.A.R.T. goals and session plans, and how to design and facilitate sessions using the Embodied Awareness in Action™ framework. Students can also engage in facilitating practice sessions during this module.
What's Included?
40+ Hours of LIVE Classes
Weekly 2-hour calls are facilitated by Leif and include lecture, discussion, process groups, hands-on experiences, and so much more!
Access to a Private Online Learning Platform & World-Wide Community
This platform includes hundreds of hours of thoughtfully-curated articles, videos, activities, and resources like detailed session plans, business forms and business planning guides, budget templates, and sample risk management policies and procedures PLUS a private community group ONLY for Embodied Awareness in Action ™ students and graduates.
3-Day In-Person Immersion Workshop
And the best?? This course INCLUDES a 3-day immersive workshop where students gather to experience Embodied Awareness IN Action™!
Ready to Transform Your Practice?
Join this community of open-hearted adventurers on a journey of lifetime! Enhance your skills, connect with others, and integrate Embodied Awareness in Action ™ into your practice!