Program Structure and Flow
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Learning Modules and Intensives
This program includes twelve learning modules.
Foundations Modules
Modules 1-4
ToolBox Modules
Modules 5-12
Curriculum Overview is best viewed on a computer.
Each module includes synchronous (face-to-face instruction) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning. To reduce travel expenses and time off from family and work we have blended the synchronous aspects of the learning modules together into five separate intensives that take place here, in Colorado. In between intensives, students complete their online assignments, meet with mentors and work on developing their coaching business.
Foundations Intensives
We offer the Foundations Intensive four times a year: January (onsite), March (online), June (onsite/camping), and October (online). All students start the training with the Foundations Intensive. See calendar below
What’s the difference? Why are they different lengths?
June Foundations
- Camping – Car Camping near Gunnison, Colorado
- Longer days – Typical day is 9 am-9 pm
- No lodging expense, but you are required to bring your own camping gear
- Food is included
January Foundations
- Takes place at a retreat center near Boulder, CO.
- Shorter days- Typical day is 9:30 am-4:30 pm.
- Food and lodging is not provided
MARCH/OCTOBER ONLINE FOUNDATIONS
- Two, four-day online intensives, three weeks apart
- Thursday- Sunday, 9am-5pm MST
- Learn more about the online option here
ToolBox Modules
After completing the foundations, there are four remaining ToolBox Intensives. Each builds off the Foundations and provide specific tools that strengthen your coaching and guiding skills. These Toolbox Intensives do not need to be done in sequence. However, we have scheduled the preferred path in three months blocks. This allows students to finish the program in a year, but you have up to two years to complete it to account for any life changes. Each intensive is five days long, Monday-Friday.
Gestalt Basics and Partswork
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- Monday-Tuesday: Basics of Gestalt Therapy
- Wednesday-Thursday: Partswork
- Friday: Practice Sessions
Brain and Change 1 and Working With Trauma
- Monday- Tuesday: Brain and Change 1
- Wednesday-Thursday: Working with Trauma
- Friday: Practice Sessions
Brain and Change 2 and Guiding Through Grief.
- Monday- Tuesday: Brain and Change 2
- Wednesday-Thursday: Guiding Through Grief and Loss
- Friday: Practice Sessions
Longterm Coaching and Partswork 2.
- Monday- Tuesday: Longterm Coaching and Change Models
- Wednesday-Thursday: Partswork 2
- Friday: Practice Sessions
Calender is best viewed on a computer.
Online Time Commitment
The online portion of the program includes regular video conferencing, online discussions, and business development projects. We estimate about five to eight hours per week of online work. However, if you’ve set some aggressive goals for your business development, this additional time could double.
Career and Business Development Mentoring
We LOVE supporting our students to launch their careers as Nature-Connected Coaches and Guides. While the impact of the work we do as guides is of the utmost importance, we also need to be able to make a living doing this work. We offer close mentoring in business development as well as provide support and guidance to those looking for employment in the field. In both cases, we start with Vision. Once there is more clarity in the way we are motivated to work as coaches, we can start creating the plans for how we will make this happen!
Business Development
- Intensive business mentoring curriculum
- Vision development and business planning support
- Action and follow through support
- networking and marketing support
Employment Support
- Visioning and planning support
- Resume feedback and guidance
- Action and follow through support
- Networking and outreach support
Student Mentoring
Each incoming student is paired up with one of our Student Mentors. A Student Mentor is a graduate of our program and has demonstrated a very high level of commitment to this work as we all a deep understanding of our curriculum. The Student Mentor is paid to you be your support through the training. This service is included in your tuition. Think of the Student Mentor a someone who can be your coach, academic advisor, and mentor. They will observe your coaching and provide you with helpful feedback, track your progress towards certification, and support you to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Meet the Student Mentors
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Daniel Brisbon, NCC, ACC, TWG Admissions Guide, Instructor, Student MentorDaniel Brisbon is a teaching assistant and student mentor in the Nature Connected Coaching NCC and Transformational Wilderness Guiding TWG programs at Earth Based Institute. He is a certified Nature Connected Coach and Transformational Wilderness Guide who focuses on aligning people to a place of greater self-awareness and discovery in the great outdoors. He works with passionate and driven individuals that are seeking a greater bond and connection within themselves through their experience in nature.
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Hannah Tirrell-Wysocki NCC, TWG, MA Program Director, Student Mentor, Instructor, Quest Guide
Hannah Tirrell-Wysocki is a teaching assistant and mentor to students in the Nature Connected Coaching program at Earth-Based Institute. She is a certified Nature-Connected Coach who uses mindfulness and land based practices to help clients unlock their inherent wisdom and knowing. Hannah was trained in the Groups as Living Systems facilitation model and applies this interconnected framework to her coaching, wilderness guiding and group work. Her background with Outward Bound allows her to hold a structure solid enough to support the necessary fluidity, unpredictability and wildness of unfolding growth and transformation.
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Sheri Peterson, NCC Student Mentor
Sheri Peterson is a graduate of EBI’s Nature-Connected Coaching program and continues as a student mentor. Sheri coaches clients through her company, Your PATH Coach, LLC, where PATH stands for Personal Accountability To Harmony. Her passion is to walk alongside seekers, co-creating with them and nature, a life in harmony. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and currently resides in beautiful Colorado. She is also a Walking Movement Leader with Walk2Connect and a Row Coach at the Row House-Smoky Hill, where she encourages movement, self-awareness, and personal growth.
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Maria Rosa Galter Student Mentor
Maria is a graduate of EBI’s Nature-Connected Coaching program and a current EBI student mentor. Through her coaching practice, Wild Wisdom Coaching, Maria guides clients to seek Nature’s guidance as they tap into their unique wild wisdom to discern their next steps forward. Prior to pursuing her NCC certificate, Maria led a 10-year career in the international non-profit sector, first as founder of Into Your Hands-Africa, later as the Executive Director of AfricAid and Africa Network for Animal Welfare-USA. She has a Master’s in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. She is also a certified Spiritual Director and graduate of the Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program.
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David Fontaine, NCC, TWG Student Mentor, TWG Instructor, Quest Guide
David is a graduate of EBI’s Nature Connected Coaching program and a Certified Transformational Wilderness Guide. He is a Student Mentor for our NCC program and an instructor for our TWG and Quest programs. David also coaches and guides clients, regularly, while letting his vision of how he’ll bring the work to the world continue to unfold. David is passionate about bringing people closer to nature, whether through educating, mentoring, coaching, or guiding. Originally from Vermont, he currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky. He is building a nature-connected community there, leading a meet-up group called Connect To Nature, Connect To Yourself, and hosting events on a pro bono basis. He is an avid woodworker, kayaker, hiker, explorer, and camp chef.
