Counselling/Equine-assisted Therapy
What do we offer?
Your counselling session does not need to include equine-assisted therapy. Instead, you may prefer to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, or more. You will discuss this with your counsellor in your first session.
Equine-assisted psychotherapy is a modality designed to support mental health concerns and disability needs by incorporating horse and nature connection exercises into therapy sessions. Sessions are highly creative, involving a certified mental health professional supporting clients to navigate therapeutic goals while engaging with horses and nature. Horses offer instant bio-feedback, experiences of co-regulation, reflections on relational styles and boundaries, moments of awareness and mindfulness, non-judgmental acceptance, and more!
Sessions can be billed to NDIS funding under Core or Capacity Building.
An experience
People find our therapies more experiential and embodied than speaking with a therapist in an indoor office. Sessions allow you to experience mindfulness, regulation, or emotional awareness, rather than just talking about it.
How much you interact with the horses is completely up to you. It’s normal to be both inspired by horses and intimidated by them. We take these sessions very slowly, moving at your pace. We can create a beautiful equine therapy session by observing horse behaviour, from outside their paddock!
We have a clinic office available for those who prefer their sessions indoors. You can also book telephone or Zoom (telehealth) sessions.
These sessions can include mounted activities for children and youth under 60 kg.
Your co-therapists
Our number one priority is to help you feel safe and connected, whilst simultaneously acknowledging the needs and preferences of our horses. We acknowledge that therapy sessions can be draining for horses, therefore, our horses receive bodywork, respite from therapy clients, frequent breaks, ample access to forage, and other restorative practices to ensure they are healthy, happy, and thriving.
Meet your practitioners:
Maxime Willems
Certified Counsellor and Equine-assisted Psychotherapist
Available now: Mondays; Thursdays; Fridays; Saturdays
Qualifications: Equine-Assisted Learning facilitator (Equine Psychotherapy Institute); Diploma in Counselling (March 2024); Masters degree in Education; Masters degree in Sociology; Certificate IV (800hr) in Yoga Teaching; specialisation in Children and Teen’s yoga, and Trauma-informed Yoga; 20+ years of equine experience
Before transitioning into equine-assisted learning, Maxime worked as an NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner in the Northern Rivers NSW. Within this role, she noticed the powerful addition of Equine-assisted therapies to Behaviour Support Services, Occupational Therapy and room-based therapies. As Maxime is deeply passionate about providing a safe space for people to heal, grow and explore what is important to them. Maxime fosters a gentle, client-focused approach which helps people to feel comfortable and supported.
Maxime works with an array of clients and presenting concerns, from Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Social, Emotional, Behavioural, Relational and Parenting-related concerns.
To book a session with Maxime, please submit your info here, and our admin team will be in touch.
Stephenie Bruce
Certified Counsellor and Equine-assisted Psychotherapist
Available: Wednesdays
Qualifications: BA of Psychology (Honours); Diploma of Counselling in Equine Assisted Mental Health (Equine Assisted Therapy Australia); member of the Australian Counselling Association and the International Institute for Complementary Therapists
Stephenie is a qualified Equine Assisted Counsellor with a Diploma in Counselling, a Certificate in Equine Assisted Mental Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours). Stephenie is a member of the Australian Counselling Association and the International Institute for Complementary Therapists. Stephenie has worked in community services with adults and children, including work in disability services, for over 13 years. Most recently, Stephenie worked as a therapeutic support practitioner with foster carers and children for 3 years.
Stephenie has experience supporting children, adolescents and adults with trauma, ADHD, ASD, behavioural difficulties, PTSD and mental health concerns. Stephenie currently works as a disability support worker with children and adults to complement her practice as an Equine Assisted Counsellor.
Stephenie has a passion for helping others, a love for horses, and personally discovered the powerful healing that comes with Equine Assisted Counselling through her own personal and professional development journey during 18 months of intensive study with Equine Assisted Therapy Australia. Stephenie has a calm, gentle and caring nature, and adopts a person-centred, strengths-based and trauma informed approach to supporting others. Stephenie supports individuals in sessions using art therapy, mindfulness, nature-based therapy and gestalt therapy techniques to assist individuals to become aware of their body sensations and emotions, remain present and grounded, explore distressing and traumatic experiences, and learn healthy ways to cope with stress by providing a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship and space.
To book a session with Steph, please submit your info here, and our admin team will be in touch.
Brittany Sabat
Certified Counsellor and Equine-assisted Psychotherapist
Available now: Thursdays; Saturdays
Qualifications: Double degree of Animal Science and Zoology majoring in Animal Behaviour; Diploma of Counselling in Equine Assisted Mental Health (Equine Assisted Therapy Australia); member of the Australian Counselling Association
Brittany is a popular equine therapist and counsellor with clients of all ages. She is registered with the Australian Counselling Association, with special training in Equine Assisted Mental Health.
Brittany supports clients of all ages, including NDIS participants. She brings her valuable lived experience to her practice, including trauma in childhood and adolescence which affected her life’s path, bringing her to healing work.
Brittany is trained in EMDR- an intervention designed to support trauma, PTSD and cPTSD. She has been supporting clients with trauma for over 8 years.
Brittany has a warm, down to earth approach. As a lifelong equestrian, she has a unique and gentle bond with horses. She had her life trained after adopting and rehabilitating an ex-racehorse.
Brittany is available on Thursdays and Saturdays.
To book a session with Brittany, please submit your info here, and our admin team will be in touch.
Fees: Enquire for 2024 fees
Our session cost includes non-face-to-face time such as:
- Researching your unique psychological or physical needs
- Preparing and designing therapeutic games, psychoeducation, art therapy projects
- Constantly updating our horses' training and management
- Consulting on your goals during individual or group supervision
- Communicating with stakeholders about your progress
- Discussing your goals with our team
- Setting up and packing down activities designed just for you
... and more!