Groups and Trainings at California Woodland Institute
Current Groups
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Equine Reflective Practice Group for Therapists
This experiential consultation group provides therapists with a space to process clinical cases, countertransference, and professional challenges through equine-assisted reflection and group dialogue. Open to both licensed and pre-licensed clinicians, this group offers a depth-oriented, embodied approach to clinical growth and self-awareness.
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Equine Therapy Process Group For Parents of Neurodiverse Children
Designed for parents navigating the unique joys and challenges of raising a neurodiverse child, this group provides a supportive, experiential space to explore stress regulation, relational patterns, and emotional resilience. Through equine-assisted therapy and group discussion, parents will gain insight, tools, and community support to strengthen their parenting journey.
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"Fire Followers" Eco & Equine Therapy Group for Wildfire Loss and Recovery
This group supports individuals impacted by wildfire-related trauma, loss, and displacement, offering a healing space for reflection, renewal, and resilience-building. Using equine therapy, ecotherapy, and group process, participants will explore the emotional effects of wildfire and discover new pathways forward, much like the fire-following plants that emerge after destruction
Reflective Practice Group for Therapists
At California Woodland Institute, we offer a unique, experiential consultation and support group for practicing therapists who want to deepen their clinical work through self-reflection, case exploration, and embodied awareness. This group is designed for both licensed and pre-licensed clinicians, providing a space to process countertransference, complex clinical cases, and professional challenges in a supportive, nature-based setting.
This is not a traditional supervision or consultation group—instead, we incorporate equine-assisted reflection, depth-oriented inquiry, and group process to help therapists gain greater insight into their work and themselves. Horses act as mirrors and relational co-facilitators, providing immediate, nonverbal feedback that can illuminate relational dynamics, unconscious material, and emotional blocks in ways that traditional talk-based consultation cannot.
What to Expect:
Case exploration through an experiential lens – Bring clinical material and questions into horse-assisted reflection, movement, and group dialogue
Countertransference processing – Engage with your emotional reactions and unconscious responses to client work in a supportive, relational environment
Somatic and embodied awareness – Use nonverbal, nature-based practices to gain insight into your clinical work beyond intellectual analysis
Small group format (6-8 clinicians) – Ensuring intimate, in-depth discussion and personal engagement
No horse experience necessary – All equine work is ground-based and focused on relational dynamics
Who This Group is For:
Licensed therapists (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, PsyD, PhD)
Pre-licensed clinicians (Associates, trainees, interns)
Therapists from all modalities—you do not need to be practicing equine or ecotherapy
Clinicians interested in countertransference exploration, embodied awareness, and deepening their understanding of client dynamics
Group Format & Details:
Meets monthly (2-hour sessions) at California Woodland Institute in Ojai, CA
In-person, nature-based group with horses as reflective partners
Opportunities for both structured facilitation and open case exploration
Sliding scale pricing available for pre-licensed clinicians
This group is a space for clinicians to slow down, reflect, and integrate their professional work in a way that is both insightful and personally restorative.
Equine Therapy Process Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Children
Parenting a neurodiverse child comes with unique joys and challenges, requiring deep patience, flexibility, and emotional resilience. At California Woodland Institute, we offer a therapeutic process group specifically for parents of neurodiverse children, providing a supportive, experiential space to explore the complexities of parenting, emotional regulation, and relational dynamics through the wisdom of equine-assisted therapy.
This ground-based, non-riding group invites parents to engage with horses as mirrors and relational guides, offering immediate, nonverbal feedback that helps reveal patterns in communication, emotional responses, and stress regulation. Through facilitated equine interactions and group discussions, participants will develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and practical tools to support both themselves and their children.
What to Expect:
Equine-assisted experiential activities – Horses provide a nonverbal, intuitive reflection of emotions and relational patterns, helping parents process stress, frustration, and emotional overwhelm in a safe, supportive setting
Mindful self-regulation practices – Learn somatic and nervous system regulation techniques to help manage parenting stress and emotional burnout
Shared community and connection – Engage in group dialogue and peer support with others who understand the unique experience of parenting a neurodiverse child
Insights into relational dynamics – Explore how your emotions, communication patterns, and internal responses impact your interactions with your child
Small group format (6-8 parents) – Creating space for deep personal reflection and shared learning
No horse experience necessary – All equine work is ground-based and focused on emotional insight and personal growth
Who This Group is For:
Parents of neurodivergent children (Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Differences, Learning Disabilities, or other neurotypes)
Caregivers seeking support, community, and tools for emotional regulation
Those looking for a nonjudgmental space to process the emotional complexities of parenting
Individuals interested in experiential, nature-based approaches to self-care and personal growth
Group Format & Details:
Meets weekly (2-hour sessions) at California Woodland Institute in Ojai, CA
In-person, nature-based group with horses as co-facilitators
Led by experienced therapists trained in equine therapy and neurodivergence-informed approaches
Sliding scale pricing available
This group is a space for parents to reflect, process, and develop deeper emotional resilience—both for themselves and for their children.
Fire Followers: An Eco & Equine Therapy Group for Wildfire Loss and Recovery
Fire Followers is a nature-based, experiential therapy group designed for individuals who have been impacted by wildfire—whether through loss of home, displacement, trauma, or the ongoing emotional weight of living with fire seasons.
This equine and ecotherapy group offers a space to process grief, resilience, and post-fire transformation alongside others who understand the deep emotional and psychological effects of wildfire loss. Just as fire-following plants emerge from the ashes to bring new life, this group offers a therapeutic journey of healing, adaptation, and renewal through guided equine interactions, nature-based practices, and group reflection. We are part of the wildfire ecosystem here in Ojai- the land here burned in the 2017 Thomas Fire.
What to Expect:
Equine-assisted experiential therapy – Horses act as mirrors for our internal states, providing a way to process grief, resilience, and emotional regulation through nonverbal, intuitive connection
Nature-based healing practices – Engage in mindful land-walks, fire ecology teachings, and reflective exercises that honor the cycle of destruction and renewal
Grief and resilience processing – Explore the psychological and emotional impact of wildfire, while building tools for adaptation, grounding, and post-traumatic growth
Community connection and storytelling – Share experiences in a safe, nonjudgmental space, recognizing that healing often happens through shared witness and support
Small group format (6-8 participants) – Fostering intimate, meaningful conversations and personal reflection
No horse experience necessary – All equine work is ground-based and focused on emotional insight and personal growth
Who This Group is For:
Individuals who have experienced wildfire-related loss, displacement, or trauma
Homeowners, Renters, land stewards, first responders, and community members navigating the emotional and practical aftermath of fire
Group Format & Details:
Meets monthly (2-hour sessions) at California Woodland Institute in Ojai, CA
In-person, nature-based group integrating equine therapy and ecotherapy
Led by experienced therapists trained in trauma-informed and nature-based approaches
Sliding scale pricing available
The aftermath of wildfire is more than just rebuilding—it’s about reclaiming a sense of home, belonging, and inner stability. This group offers a space for renewal, much like the fire-following plants that flourish in the wake of fire’s destruction.
