The LEAP Method
Discover the power of Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) with our Level 4 Diploma in Equine Facilitated Learning: The LEAP Method, accredited by Crossfields Institute, a body regulated by Ofqual. This qualification prepares you for a fulfilling career as an EFL practitioner, offering professional standards in an emerging field. Whether you’re a teacher, coach, social worker, or riding instructor, this course will equip you with the skills and ethical foundation needed to excel in EFL, all while promoting personal growth and a deeper connection with both humans and horses.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
The qualification promotes excellence in the field of EFL and consists of guided learning (taught Modules) and also independent study, total qualification time 430 hours.
WHAT DOES THE COURSE ENTAIL?
It entails a commitment from yourself of at least 6 - 8 hours a week. The course has 9 modules taught online and in person over a 14 month period of independent study, assignments, observational assessment, presentations, supervised practice, mentoring and independent learning between the blocks. The programme is designed for those who intend to pursue EFL (equine facilitated learning) as a career.
CAN I APPLY?
To study this qualification you need to demonstrate to the centre that you have:
While no formal qualification is required for this, it would be beneficial to have qualifications in industries such as teaching, coaching, social work and similar when working with that population. We will consider applications from those who are trained in a different area of expertise and wish to qualify as an EFL Practitioner.
Minimum age of learner is 23
If English is not the first language, proof of spoken and written English at a level equivalent to IELTS 5 will be required.
Learners must have their own, or have access to equines, to enable them to practise the LEAP method throughout the qualification.
Learners must have experience with horses including horse care and management. They must be able to demonstrate knowledge of standard equestrian practises including horse care skills and basic horsemanship.
Due to the psychological demands of this qualification, learners must demonstrate the potential for self-reflection, self-directed learning, emotional resilience and ability to manage their own emotions. Participating in this programme may bring up unresolved or painful feelings and memories and learners must be willing and able to access therapeutic support outside the course if needed.
Learners may have previously experienced the LEAP Method from a client perspective through attending a LEAP Introductory workshop, a one to one workshop with one of the LEAP Training team, or a programme of EFL sessions with a LEAP Practitioner within 6 months prior to starting this qualification. If you have not done any of the above, do not hesitate and still send your application form to the office and we will arrange an online session.
The LEAP Method
Advance your career with the Crossfields Institute Level 5 Diploma in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy: The LEAP Method (EFP), accredited by the OFQUAL-regulated Crossfields Institute. This comprehensive qualification equips you with advanced skills in the LEAP Method, elevates your existing practice, and supports significant personal growth. Designed for mental health professionals, it offers a blend of transformative equine therapy techniques with rigorous ethical and professional standards, preparing you for success in this emerging field.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
The first to be specifically designed for qualified mental health professionals who wish to expand their area of expertise into Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and consists of guided learning (taught Modules) and also independent study, total qualification time 790 hours.
WHAT DOES THE COURSE ENTAIL?
It entails a commitment from yourself of at least 3 - 6 hours a week. The course has 8 modules taught online and in person over a 14 month period of independent study, assignments, observational assessment, presentations, supervised practice, mentoring and independent learning between the blocks. The programme is designed for those who intend to have EFP skills as an addition to their practice.
CAN I APPLY?
To study this qualification, you need to demonstrate to the centre that you have:
A formally recognised mental health qualification with a clinical application (for example, counselling, psychotherapy, counselling psychology, clinical psychology or mental health nursing) and are recognised by their governing body as qualified for private practice, for example BACP or BPS. We will consider applications from those in the final phase of training where the applicant is experienced in working one-to-one in private practice or equivalent.
Minimum age of learner is 23
If English is not the first language, proof of spoken and written English at a level equivalent to IELTS 5 will be required.
Learners must have a working knowledge of standard equestrian safety practices, as well as basic horsemanship and horse care skills.
Learners must demonstrate a potential for self-reflection, self-directed learning, emotional resilience, and the ability to hold and process the emotional content of others.
Learners may have previously experienced the LEAP Method from a client perspective through attending a LEAP Introductory workshop, a one to one workshop with one of the LEAP Training team, or a programme of EFL sessions with a LEAP Practitioner within 6 months prior to starting this qualification. If you have not done any of the above, do not hesitate and still send your application form to the office and we will arrange an online session.
Online Training Material, webinars, research articles and much more
Live weekly or fortnightly zoom calls, module dependent.
Workbook
LEAP Care Cards
Symbology Language Cards
A beginners list of Clean Language/ Coaching questions to ask clients
Access to the ENTIRE Training Library including research articles
Access to the private members area
1 year membership to LEAP Practitioner Members Area after graduation
1 years access to Bi-Monthly InterVision with our tutors after graduation
The LEAP Method.
The LEAP Method.
The LEAP Method.
Course Start Date: 30 September 2024 (Material released online)
Introductory Zoom Call: 5 October 10am
In-Person Training Dates:
Additional Zoom Sessions: Weekly or fortnightly, depending on the module.
The LEAP Method.
Course Start Date: 25 October 2024 (Material released online)
Introductory Zoom Call: 2 November 10am
In-Person Training Dates:
Additional Zoom Sessions: Weekly or fortnightly, depending on the module.
Additional costs: £150 (excl vat) application and processing fee is non-refundable
£340 (excl vat) Crossfields Institute registration fee
The LEAP Method.
£768/mo (excl vat)*
*10 payments of £962.40 (includes Crossfields Registration fee & vat) billed every month. Application fee paid separately.
£7100 (excl vat)*
* Single payment: £8928 (includes Crossfields Registration fee & vat). Application fee paid separately.
The LEAP Method.
Director & Senior EFP/L Practitioner
Jo-Anne Karlsson is the Owner and Director of LEAP and is a key member of the Senior Therapeutic Team. Jo-Anne was among the first graduates of the LEAP EFP/L Practitioner Training Programme and now runs her own successful private practice in and around Berkshire.
Programme Director & Senior EFP/L Practitioner
Sarah worked for many years in blue chip organisations providing change programmes and coaching for management teams. While completing her MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy, Sarah studied with LEAP as an Equine Facilitated Psychotherapist (EFP) and after graduating with a distinction, she went on to launch Life on Dreams Limited.
International Horsemanship Trainer & Instructor
Lisa has spent her life working with horses; she has travelled worldwide working and training with some of the world’s top horsemen. She has trained and spent time with Ray Hunt, Leslie Desmond, Phil Rodey, Philip Nye and Steve Halfpenny. Lisa teaches our Horsemanship courses and offers a relational way to work with our horses.
Senior EFP Practitioner MNCPS (Acc.) & Tutor
Delia, a Senior EFP Practitioner joining the LEAP Training Team in 2024, combines her lifelong passion for horses with her therapy expertise. After transitioning from IT to counselling in 2014, she graduated from LEAP in 2022. Delia specializes in using horses to enhance therapy for all ages, addressing issues like trauma, Autism, and domestic abuse. She also offers therapy through a Northamptonshire charity and a Buckinghamshire private practice.
Senior EFL Practitioner & Tutor
Claire, joined LEAP after discovering the transformative power of equine therapy. Graduating from LEAP's EFL Practitioner training in 2019, she established the first EFL business in the Channel Islands. Claire combines her background in television production and Intelligent Horsemanship with her LEAP training to offer profound and impactful therapy sessions.
Senior EFL Practitioner & Tutor
Heidi enjoyed a successful 20-year-long corporate career, holding senior roles in organisations including RHM Group, Greggs PLC and Edmund Nuttall Ltd and also acting as Consultant to a number of organisations, including the Environment Agency.
"Since graduating from her original LEAP training in 2015, Danielle has bridged onto the Diploma course in order to have a nationally recognised qualification. Danielle has become a Senior Practitioner with LEAP as well as a Clinical Supervisor and loves working with her peers to their practice. Danielle runs a busy Community Interest Company in Derby working with a neurodiverse range of children and young people who often struggle to engage in more traditional therapies."
Senior EFP Practitioner, Pony Partnership C.I.C
“Since qualifying with LEAP in 2018, I have cofacilitated Equine Facilitated Learning groups of key stage 3 children from a pupil referral unit with fellow senior LEAP Graduate, Danielle Mills at her site Pony Partnerships in Derbyshire. I have been fortunate to gain more experience within this specialised field of equine therapy which has complimented by mental health nursing. I really recommend this course. Thank you LEAP team! Kudos!”
EFP Practitioner
Senior EFP Practitioner
”I trained in EFP with LEAP in 2017 after qualifying as a Psychotherapist in 2008. The training was thorough, challenging and extremely rewarding. Since qualifying, I went on to set up a CIC delivering EFP sessions to adults and young people in Stoke on Trent, Staffs, working with a herd of 6 horses. I was able to apply for funding to delivery EFP sessions t the public. Funding that was secured through the CIC paid for me to work with clients who were not able to access specialist therapeutic services through their local authority. I secured referrals from local schools and have a contract in place with a private care provider who deliver therapy and education for children in the care system. As a qualified & Accredited psychotherapist I have been able to integrate EFP into my existing practice which I committed to full time in Jan 1018. Qualifying in EFP with LEAP changed my life and gave me confidence and energy to develop my practice. I achieved LEAP Senior Practitioner in March 2020.”
Register with HMRC.
Within three months of starting trading, you must register with HMRC. You will be responsible for paying any tax liabilities and you will be liable for paying National Insurance Contributions (Class 2 and Class 4). We advise you seek professional advice from an accountant who can take note of your particular liabilities that are likely to be affected by other factors. For example, your work history, business structure, planned or actual turn over, any other income source etc.
When you register you will need to provide the following information: address, NI number, date of birth, telephone number, email address, the nature of your business, start date of self-employment, business address, business telephone number, your Unique Tax Reference (UTR) (only if you have done self-assessment previously), the business UTR (unless it’s a new business) and also the same information for any business partners you may have.
It is unlikely that your turnover will be sufficiently large for you to need to register for VAT if in doubt your accountant can advise.
Keep financial records
You must keep up to date and accurate records of all your transactions- who pays you what, what you pay and for what. Some people prefer to do this in a physical book, others use spreadsheets, or your accountant may offer an online system so you can each keep track of the accounts on a day-by-day basis. An online system will allow you to see your balance sheet, cash flow and profit and loss you’re making. The important thing is to keep accurate information that will keep HMRC happy and will make things easier for you to run your business.
There are advantages and disadvantages to any business structure and for this reason we suggest you speak to an accountant before deciding so you can make a fully informed decision. Within the EFL field you may consider being a Community Interest Company (CIC) or have aspirations to set up as a charity. A CIC is also a limited company that existed to benefit its community rather than private shareholders.
Most of us start out as a sole trader or limited company when we first start out, if we consider the difference of the two structures in terms of liability, flexibility, registration paperwork and expense of business operation.
We are often asked about insurance requirements of running an EFL Practise. There is not clear answer we can give as everyone is working in a slightly different way. We of course can recognise several risks involved in running an EFL Practice but the variant of how practitioners work; some work from home, other from a livery yard/riding school, some are employed or working out of a field, make it impossible for LEAP to provide a definitive answer. We have outlined below the different types of insurance available and advise you speak to an insurance specialist about your individual situation and business set up to get a bespoke quote for you.
While there is no legal requirement for you to have professional liability insurance, there are two compelling reasons. Firstly, LEAP and other professional organisations, for example ACCPH require you to demonstrate that you have such insurance if you are to become or remain one of their members. Most credible supervisors would require you to have such insurance before agreeing to supervise your work. Most referring organisations would require you demonstrate that you have such insurance before offering you work.
Secondly, the cost of not having might lead into bankruptcy or severe financial hardship. The cost of mounting a legal defence if sued, then paying financial compensation if you lost the case, could easily run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. While this rarely happens, there is a risk it might. Even if allegations of inadequate or harmful service are proved to be unfounded, defence costs are still likely to be significant.
Or third-party cover, this covers you against bodily injury to a third party or damage to a third parties property as a direct result of your negligence. The cover is normally offered with choices on the limit of indemnity usually £1/2 or 5 million.
This provides cover for any bodily injury, sickness or disease sustained by your employees because of the business’s negligence. Employers’ liability is a requirement under the Employers Liability Act 1969 and should be in place for anyone working on your behalf whether full time, part time, voluntarily or in training. It is often a requirement to also take out public liability cover.
This provides cover against the death and/accidental injury to horses/ponies that are in your care, custody or control in respect to a claim that is made against you by the owner. This is typically liveries, but you may use other people’s horses as part of your EFL Practise. A benefit will be paid for veterinary fees and/or the current market value, up to the limit of indemnity in the event of an accident, disease or mortality of the horse.
This provides cover for death, theft and straying, legal liability, vet fee cover, personal accident, saddlery and tack depending on your individual policy. Policies often cover your horse being used for leisure activities so you may need to advise your provider of a change of use and speak to an insurance specialist to understand the best cover for you.
All insurers require that you comply with current Health & Safety Guidelines as well as ensuring that you have appropriate risk assessments in place. While LEAP cannot provide any risk management advise, it may be useful to look as the following sites which can act as reference points and contain information on risk assessments along with good practice advice for general equestrian businesses:
For some Practitioners the idea of working from home is the last thing that want to do for others it may initially seem like a good idea and an easy option and certainly it seems less risk financially if you already have your horses at home. In some ways it is more convenient; you don’t have to travel and if a client fails to turn up you can simply carry on with your normal day, maybe even sneak some quality horse time in for yourself!
Despite the initial attraction there are some important things to consider before making that choice.
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