The Sacred Art of Holding Space for
Transformation
Group Coaching Mastery for Equine-Assisted Learning & Coaching
Online Course: August 13, 20 & 27, 2025 • Desert Integration: October 9-11, 2025
When Marie walked away from that round pen in tears, everything I'd observed about group energy over twenty years suddenly crystallized into urgent reality...
The Distinction Most Practitioners Miss
You know how to facilitate activities.
You can set up powerful equine exercises.
You've got great horses.
But there's a dimension of your work you can't see yet:
- When to coach the individual in front of the group versus when to coach the group itself
- How to work with collective energy, not just individual presence
- Why some groups create magic tgether while others stay surface-level - and how to shift that
I couldn't see it either for the first decade of my practice.
I was skilled at facilitation. But I was missing the deeper layer of group alchemy.
Once I learned to work with the whole system, not just individuals in a group, the transformation became exponential.
Live Online Course: February-March 2026 • Desert Integration: April 16-18, 2026
When Embodied Truth Becomes Wisdom
Managing group energy is about better outcomes and safety. And it requires a completely different skill set than facilitation..
When Group Energy Goes Wrong,
the Sacred Space of Possibility Collapses
When group dynamics went sideways, I had to pull out and apply decades of group coaching skills to hold the space for turning resistance and fear into transformation.
Marie had experience with horses—lots of it. She was confident, skilled, ready to work.
But when her horse mirrored back the weight of what she was carrying—the trauma she thought she'd processed, the grief she'd convinced herself was resolved—her nervous system said no.
She left the round pen. Left the ranch. Left the program.
And the group energy contracted.
The Sacred Space of Possibility—what Kathleen Barry Ingram describes as the essential container that must be present to support each individual—collapsed.
People weren't getting what they paid for. They lost access to the exploration that working with horses enables. The constriction took over. Where there should have been openness, there was shutdown.
This is what most equine practitioners miss: One person's crisis becomes the group's contraction when you don't know how to work with collective energy.
I had to stop everything. Pull the group together. Create space for what was happening in the room, not just what happened in the round pen.
That's group coaching. Not facilitation. Not horsemanship. Coaching the living system back into the Sacred Space of Possibility.
Facilitating the horse experience is sacred work. But holding space for group transformation? That's alchemy.
What the Participants Experienced
"A masterclass in grace under pressure"
"I wanted to take a moment to thank you—not just for the workshop itself, which I found deeply valuable—but for how you handled the emotional challenge that arose during our session.
The experience was intense, and you responded with such clarity, integrity, and compassion. I learned so much from the seminar, but I think I learned just as much from how you led us through that difficult moment. You acknowledged what happened, took responsibility, and immediately moved to help the group process and restore trust. That level of leadership left a lasting impression on me.
As a business owner, I've had to navigate emotionally charged group dynamics myself, and I know how challenging that can be. Watching you hold space for the group, guide the conversation, and support both the individual and collective experience reminded me of the power of conscious leadership.
It was a masterclass in grace under pressure. I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of it, and I truly look forward to attending another one of your workshops in the future." — Anna Radle, Business Owner & Workshop Participant
"A journey back to myself"
"My experience with Lisa in the Group Coaching Workshop was nothing short of transformational. From the very beginning, she created a space that invited honesty, vulnerability, and growth. Through her gentle yet powerful guidance, I learned to step into my own authentic power — not as something to be achieved, but as something already within me waiting to be seen.
Lisa has a way of helping you uncover your truth while reminding you that you already have everything you need. The group coaching process she led allowed me to both experience and practice the skills of deep listening, holding space, and planting the seeds of awareness in others. I left this experience feeling more grounded, open-hearted, and confident in my ability to guide others toward their own breakthroughs.
It wasn't just a course; it was a journey back to myself — one that continues to shape how I lead, connect, and show up in the world. — Niki Cox, Level 2 Equine Alchemy Group Coaching Mastery Graduate
"Lisa addresses both coaching AND facilitation—masterfully"
"Group Coaching Mastery was invaluable to me. I learned critical distinctions I didn't even know I was missing—like the difference between coaching individuals one at a time in a group setting versus coaching the entire group by working with one person at a time.
What became clear is that effective group coaching requires two distinct skill sets: the ability to coach deeply, and the ability to facilitate group dynamics. These aren't the same thing, and most programs don't address this gap. Lisa teaches both clearly and fully. As always, Lisa's work is masterful." — Julie Morton, Equine Alchemy Coach Graduate
What You'll Master in Group Coaching Mastery
The Essential Skills for Coaching Groups as Living Systems
Module 1:
The Fundamentals of Group Coaching
- The critical difference between coaching individuals one-at-a-time in a group versus coaching the group itself as a living system
- When to coach the individual in front of the group and when to work with collective energy
- How to recognize and work with group field dynamics - the invisible forces that shape every interaction
- Assessment frameworks for understanding group readiness and individual fit
Module 2:
Working with Group Energy and Coherence
- How to establish and maintain the Sacred Space of Possibility
- Reading and responding to collective energy shifts in real-time
- Managing group contraction and restoring openness when energy collapses
- Co-regulation skills for holding multiple nervous systems simultaneously
- The art of interventions that serve both individual and group transformation
Module 3:
Advanced Facilitation and Crisis Management
- Navigating emotional breakthroughs that impact the entire group
- When and how to intervene - the critical decision points most practitioners miss
- Holding space for resistance, fear, and trauma while protecting group safety
- Working with projection, transference, and group shadow
- Turning crisis into collective transformation
Module 4:
Integration and Practice
- Designing your group coaching programs for maximum impact
- Building sustainable group practices that scale your business
- Ethics and boundaries in group work with horses
- Hands-on practice in the desert with live groups and horses (April 16-18)
How Group Coaching Mastery Works
Online Mastery
Perfect for: Practitioners who want the core skills and can't travel to Tucson
WHAT YOU GET:
- 3 Live Online Modules (Wednesdays, 12:00-2:00 PM Arizona Time)
- March 4, 11 and 18
- Lifetime access to all recordings
- Group Coaching Toolkit with templates and frameworks
- Private online community for ongoing support
- Email support throughout the program
INVESTMENT: $897
Payment plan available: 3 payments of $299
Complete Experience with Desert Integration
⭐ RECOMMENDED
Perfect for: Practitioners ready for deep transformation and hands-on mastery
EVERYTHING IN ONLINE MASTERY PLUS:
- 3-Day Hands-On Desert Intensive
(April 16-18, 2026)
- Practice with live groups and horses
- Work with your own patterns and presence
- Receive coaching on your facilitation
- Experience the Sonorn Desert's transformative energy
- Small group size (maximum 8 participants) for personalized attention
- Individual coaching session with Lisa
- Advanced Group Coaching Certification
- 24 ICF Continuing Coach Education Credits
🌟 FOUNDING COHORT PRICING 🌟
Regular Price: $1,997
Founding Member Rate: $1,497 (SAVE $500)
Available through February 22, 2026
This is the inaugural 2026 cohort - future offerings will be full price only.
Payment plan available: 3 payments of $499
What to Expect
This isn't theory. This is live practice with real groups, real horses, and real transformation.
You'll learn to recognize the moment when individual coaching needs to shift to group coaching. You'll practice holding space when energy contracts. You'll experience what it feels like to work with the Sacred Space of Possibility.
By the end, you won't just know about group coaching—you'll be able to do it.
Built on a Proven Methodology:
Systemic Coaching
Most equine programs teach activities. This program teaches systemic coaching—a framework that sees whole patterns, not isolated symptoms.
You'll learn to ask the questions that shift entire systems:
- What's the real pattern here?
- What would you do if this were your horse?
- What's this moment revealing about the whole group?
This is what allowed me to transform Marie's breakdown into breakthrough for everyone else. When you understand systems, individual resistance becomes collective wisdom.
The systemic approach is woven throughout all three modules—it's not an add-on, it's the foundation.
February/March, 2026
Your Transformation Online Course
Module 1:
Creating the Container for Transformation
Discover the fundamental differences between facilitation and group coaching with horses. Learn systemic coaching principles that help you see patterns, not just symptoms. Read both human and equine energy, create unshakeable psychological safety, and master the five intervention points that prevent crisis before it begins."
Module 2:
Advanced Skills for Complex Dynamics
Master the seven intervention techniques that work in equine-assisted settings. Learn to handle challenging participants while honoring horse wisdom, de-escalate heated moments safely, and transform individual
struggles into collective breakthroughs.
Module Module 3:
Integration and Sustainable Practice
Design bulletproof group coaching protocols, develop your authentic coaching presence, and learn to market your enhanced skills. Create systems for ongoing mastery while honoring the sacred partnership with horses.
🎥 All sessions recorded for lifetime access
🎥 All sessions recorded for lifetime access
Secure Your Spot in the 2026 Cohort
Limited to 8 Participants for Personalized Attention
⏰ Next offering not scheduled until Spring 2027
📅 2026 Program Dates:
Live Online Modules:
Wednesdays, March 4, 11, and 18
12:00-2:00 PM Arizona Time
Desert Integration:
April 16-18, 2026
Tucson, Arizona
🌟 Founding Member Pricing Ends
February 22
INVESTMENT:
Complete Experience with Desert Integration: $1,497
(Founding Member Rate
- Regular Price: $1,997)
→ Payment plan available: 3 payments of $499
Online Mastery: $897
→ Payment plan available: 3 payments of $299
Have questions? Schedule a discovery call with Lisa → https://calendly.com/equinealchemy-lisamurrell/eac-discovery-call
Desert Immersion in Tucson
April 24-26, 2026
"From Understanding to Embodiment"
Three days of hands-on practice with horses in the transformational energy of the Sonoran Desert
Day 1: Grounding in Presence
- Connect with desert energy
- Partner with teaching horses
- Practice foundational skills
- Receive personalized guidance
Day 2: Mastering Complexity
- Navigate challenging scenarios
- Practice crisis interventions
- Learn from master demonstrations
- Develop your unique approach
Day 3: Integration & Commitment
- Lead complete group sessions
- Demonstrate mastery skills
- Create your practice plan
- Join ongoing community
Next offering not scheduled until 2027
🛡️ 100% Transformation Guarantee
If you don't feel significantly more grounded and confident in your group coaching abilities after completing the online course, I'll honor your investment with a full refund. No questions asked. Your growth is sacred to me.
— Sarah K., Equine-Assisted Therapist
"This work completely transformed how I hold space for groups. I went from feeling anxious about challenging dynamics to feeling grounded and capable. The horses taught me that real leadership isn't about control—it's about presence. My groups now go deeper and feel safer than I ever thought possible."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I'm graduating from your ICF program this year. Should I wait?
A: No. Group Coaching Mastery deepens what you're already learning in the ICF program. Many current students enroll as soon as they finish their second intensive. The timing is perfect—you'll be applying these skills immediately as you build your practice.
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Q: I'm not ICF-credentialed. Can I still join?
A: Yes, if you have equivalent training and at least 2 years of facilitation experience with horses. The 24 ICF CEUs won't apply to you, but the learning absolutely will. This program is for experienced practitioners ready to deepen their group work.
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Q: What if I can't attend the online modules live?
A: All sessions are recorded with lifetime access. You can watch at your own pace. Many participants review the recordings multiple times—that's actually where the deepest integration happens. The live sessions offer real-time practice and Q&A, but the recordings ensure you don't miss anything.
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Q: Can I do online-only without the desert integration?
A: Yes. The Online Mastery option ($897) gives you the framework and skills. However, the desert integration is where you embody the work with live groups and horses. If you're serious about mastering group coaching—not just learning about it—the Complete Experience is essential.
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Q: What time are the Wednesday modules?
A: 12:00-2:00 PM Arizona Time (Mountain Standard Time - Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving)
That's:
2:00 PM Central Time
3:00 PM Eastern Time
12:00 PM Pacific Time
8:00 PM GMT
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Q: I don't have my own horses or facility. Can I still benefit?
A: Absolutely. Many graduates work at existing facilities, partner with horse owners, or focus on corporate/retreat work where horses are provided. This training teaches you how to coach groups systemically—the principles apply whether you own horses or collaborate with others.
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Q: How is this different from other group facilitation trainings?
A: Most programs teach activities and exercises—what to do with groups. This program teaches you how to coach the group as a living system—how to read collective energy, work with group coherence, and turn individual breakthroughs into collective transformation. It's the difference between facilitation and coaching.
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Q: What's included in the Group Coaching Toolkit?
A: Templates and frameworks for:
* Client assessment and readiness screening
* Session structure and timing
* Intervention decision trees
* Group agreements and safety protocols
* Post-session integration exercises
* Business systems for running group programs
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Q: Will this help me fill my group programs?
A: This program focuses on mastery of the coaching skills, not marketing. However, when you can confidently hold complex group dynamics and create consistent transformation, your programs fill through word-of-mouth and client results. Skill mastery is your best marketing.
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Q: What if I need to miss the desert integration?
A: The April intensive is a core component of the Complete Experience. If you enroll and an emergency arises, we'll work with you on a case-by-case basis. However, the hands-on practice with live groups is where theory becomes embodied mastery—it's not optional for certification.
Your Guide on This Journey
What began as intuitive understanding has become embodied wisdom: the art of holding space for groups requires skills that go far beyond traditional facilitation.
Lisa Murrell
Master of Holding Sacred Space
For over two decades, I've been privileged to witness the alchemy that happens when humans and horses come together with intention. Through hundreds of sessions, groups, and countless transformational moments, I've learned what it truly means to hold space for healing.
Incidents like Marie's are one of my greatest teachers because they validate the importance of holding space correctly and in the group's best interest. They show me that facilitating the horse experience is only half of my job as an equine assisted coach. The other half is coaching the invisible threads that weave a group together—or tear it apart.
I've devoted myself to mastering the sacred art of group coaching in equine-assisted settings just as I did in consulting with organizations. Now, I'm honored to share these insights with practitioners who are ready to transform not just their skills, but their very presence with groups.
Ready to Join the Founding Cohort?
Limited to 8 Participants for Personalized Attention
Founding Member Pricing Ends February 22
Online Modules Begin: March 4, 2026
Desert Integration: April 16-18, 2026
Have questions? Schedule a discovery call with Lisa → https://calendly.com/equinealchemy-lisamurrell/eac-discovery-call
The Horses Are Waiting
Every group you work with is a sacred trust. Every participant who enters your space deserves a practitioner who can hold whatever emerges with grace, wisdom, and unshakeable presence.
The skills you'll master here aren't just techniques—they're a way of being that honors the profound partnership between human and horse in service of transformation.
Questions about your journey? Reach out personally:
lisa@equinealchemy.com • (845) 430-0590