Frequently Asked Questions:
Everything You Need to Know

Your questions answered. Explore our detailed FAQ to gain insights into equine therapy careers,
training programs and courses, and how you can get involved.

Can’t find the answers you’re after, reach out via the Contact Us form.

Who can enrol in Groundwork courses?

Our courses are open to individuals from various professional backgrounds including but not limited to counselling, psychology, social work, and those currently not in the mental health field but have a strong interest in equine/horse therapy.

How do I apply?

You can apply by visiting our courses page, where you'll find detailed instructions and the application form.

Can my previous education in equine or mental health studies qualify me for advanced standing in an Equine Therapy course?

Individuals with prior certificates in equine studies, mental health, or community services do not gain credits or advanced standing however Groundwork will support you in incorporating our framework into your existing practice and acknowledge your prior learning.

How can I find more information about your training programs?

For detailed information about our training programs, including course content and fees, please visit our Services page.

Can I discuss the training programs before enrolling?

Absolutely, we encourage you to contact us to discuss the courses in detail. This can help ensure the program matches your educational and career goals. Get in touch here.

What are therapy cards and how do I use them?

The Groundwork I Am… Therapy Card Pack is a valuable tool for identifying feelings. They feature beautifully illustrated images of horses giving non-verbal cues and are used to facilitate discussion and reflection in therapeutic settings and in your own home. They can be particularly useful in settings involving communication about emotions and experiences and also for practising equine facilitated therapy theory without horses present.

What support is available to students after completing the horse therapy courses?

We provide ongoing support to our graduates, including access to professional development resources and ongoing seminars. We also list graduates on our accredited practitioners page to assist them in their personal endeavours.

Do I need any prior experience with horses?

No prior experience with horses is necessary. Our trained staff will guide you through all activities and ensure your safety at all times. We also have an equine component of the course that will help upskill your knowledge in this area.

How long does the accreditation program take to complete?

The duration of the program involves four separate learning intensive blocks that are 5 or 6 days each, totalling 22 days. However your pace can vary based on the specific track you choose. Most participants complete the program within six months to a year.

What happens after I graduate/Are there any continuing services available?

Upon completing your practitioner training you join a community of groundwork alumni. And yes we do offer ongoing resources and support. To maintain your skills and stay connected we encourage our graduates to attend our ongoing online seminars and annual development days. These provide an opportunity to ask questions, troubleshoot with peers, and stay up-to-date with the latest practices and techniques in equine therapy. Graduates are also welcome to contact Kylie directly for guidance.

Where is Groundwork Equine Therapy located?

Groundwork is a mobile facility. A chosen venue can be located near you, and the horses and facilitator come to you. Our Groundwork Therapy Psychology Clinic is located in [insert location].

How do I contact Groundwork Therapy for more information?

You can reach out via our Contact Us form. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and provide more information about our services and programs.

What if I am living outside of Australia?

No worries! We welcome international students and have had numerous visitors graduate the practitioner training. So long as you can attend the in-person elements of the program you’re eligible. Check out our accredited practitioner page to see some of our international graduates.

Do I need to know what I want to do in the future before I start the program?

No, not at all. Nearly all practitioners develop this as they go through the training. There are elements of personal and professional development incorporated into the program to assist you determine goals and help you get there.

Do I need to have a business set up before I start?

No, most practitioners set up their businesses during the training or after they’ve finished. Groundwork practitioner training addresses some key considerations and crucial steps in getting yourself set up. That way you’re ready to begin facilitating workshops as soon after graduating as possible.

Do you offer payment plans for your courses and products?

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans (pay in instalments) to make our courses and products accessible to a wider audience. Please contact us for more information.

If I’m not a qualified therapist already will this course give me the qualification to become a therapist?

No, while specific prerequisites can vary depending on your end goal, in order to be considered an Equine Therapist you need to be a registered health care professional. We see applicants who have a background in psychology, counselling, social work, or a related field. Experience with horses is a plus but not mandatory as our program includes extensive training.

If you do not already have these qualifications our training program enables you to train as an Equine Facilitated Practitioner able to run personal and professional development workshops and conduct sessions with horses using the AIA Invitational Approach™.

Groundwork ensures all graduates that you will be able to run effective and safe sessions that fall within your scope of practice.

Do I need to own my own horses?

No you don’t need to own horses to complete the training. Part of the training program teaches you what to do and look for if you are working with other people's horses or hiring horses to work with at a riding school. This is a common occurrence when working in the field and means you are more adequately prepared for life as an equine facilitator. The training program also teaches you what to do and how to run a session utilising the invitational approach and modules without horses present.

Do I need to be able to access/work with horses in the future to benefit from the model?

No. Although it is an equine facilitated training program you will still be able to implement the workshops without horses if you choose. We can still bring our theoretical knowledge and experience of horses into the workshops if we don't have access to them. Our I Am… horse therapy cards are an effective alternative. We also have a lot of people come to practitioner training for personal and professional development working with humans who never actually go on to work with horses.

Do I need to be a therapist?

No you don't. This training doesn’t teach therapy in the broader sense or teach you to be a therapist, it teaches you a specific method and workshop model incorporating safely working with horses and humans together.

Some graduates come through the training and then decide they do want to become a therapist and go on to do further study in a particular area; however this is not essential for running workshops.

For currently practising therapists, our program allows you to take your existing skills and marry them to equine facilitated work in a safe and effective way.

Groundwork Therapy has a lot of graduates, some practitioners and therapists, all doing exceptional work. Explore our accredited practitioners page to explore what some of our graduates are up to now.

If I am a therapist will this model help me improve my therapeutic skill set?

If you already are a therapist, then yes we are able to help you refine and develop your therapeutic skills. You will be able to combine therapy and working with horses in a safe and effective way.

Do I need to attend face-to-face?

Yes. Although there are some online components as part of the training, there are also 22 days that are in-person, hands-on with horses and in a group setting.

We find this combination to be the most authentic way of experiencing the human-horse connection and thereby accelerate the learnings.

Frequently Asked Questions: Everything You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions:
Everything You Need to Know