Other Therapies and Practices
TL;DR
The Register is primarily for Equine Assisted Services but allows listing other accredited therapies (like counselling) if proof of qualifications and membership is provided. Unaccredited or complementary therapies (like reiki or yoga) are permitted but must be clearly separated from EAS work in all materials so clients are not misled.

The Athena Herd Foundation Accredited Practitioner Register™ (“Register”) is exclusively for practitioners delivering Equine Assisted Services (EAS) — for example, Equine Assisted and/or Facilitated Learning, groundwork, counselling, psychotherapy, therapy, coaching, teaching, and hippotherapy.

Other Accredited or Recognised Therapies

Although the Register focuses on EAS, it also allows practitioners to record other accredited or registered therapies and services, such as counselling or occupational therapy, alongside their EAS registration. These additional registrations are permitted only if the practitioner provides copies of relevant qualifications and proof of membership with an appropriate accredited register during the application process. Practitioners must inform the Register if such registrations are withdrawn or terminated for any reason.

The Register reserves the right to liaise with and exchange information with other registers regarding a practitioner’s registration or activities, especially in cases of potential or proven malpractice, maladministration, disciplinary actions, sanctions, or removal. If an applicant has ever been refused membership, sanctioned, or removed from such a register, they must disclose this during the application process or at any time thereafter.

Qualification Requirements for Other Accredited or Recognised Therapies

Educational standards for other accredited or recognised therapies are defined as qualifications that provide the skills, knowledge, and competence to work as a counsellor or psychotherapist. This includes a minimum of a diploma (Level 4) in allied health professions such as occupational therapy, counselling, or psychotherapy, and may also include a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

These qualifications are typically awarded by further or higher education institutions and must be comprehensive practitioner training programmes that include knowledge-based learning, ethical therapeutic competencies, and research awareness. Courses should last at least one year full-time or two years part-time, and must include supervised placements totalling at least 100 hours.

Adjunctive Therapies

The Register recognises that some practitioners may also offer other types of therapy. However, these are only recognised in the Register if they meet the accredited or recognised therapy criteria above. If you offer therapies outside of EAS — such as reiki, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, homeopathy, or yoga — they are considered adjunctive therapies.

Even if you are registered elsewhere for these services, you must clearly separate them from your EAS work in all public and promotional materials, including websites and directory listings. When linking to the Register on your own website, you must clearly state that your Accredited Practitioner Register membership applies only to your EAS work. Care should be taken to ensure clients are not misled into believing adjunctive therapies are also covered.

Registrants must clearly distinguish between the practices and modalities for which they are registered with the Accredited Practitioner Register and other adjunctive therapies.

Version Date Initials Description
v1.00
OZ
Initial version for new website