Equine-assisted Therapy
What is ‘Equine-assisted Therapy’?
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 Capacity Building.
An experience
Many people find this type of therapy 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!
These sessions do not include mounted activities (see our Equine-assisted Learning sessions for children/adults under 70kg seeking mounted sessions).
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
Equine-Assisted Therapist & Equine-assisted Learning Facilitator & Counselling student
*MAXIME OFFERS EQUINE THERAPY & EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING
Available now: Thursdays; Fridays; Saturdays (waitlist)
Qualifications: Equine-Assisted Learning facilitator (Equine Psychotherapy Institute); Diploma in Counselling (exp. 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
Equine Assisted Counsellor
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.
Clemmie Wotherspoon
Equine-Assisted Therapist
Available now: By appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
Qualifications: MA of Clinical Psychology (USQ); MA of Professional Psychology (USQ); BA of Psychology (Honours); Certified Equine-assisted Psychotherapist (Equine Psychotherapy Institute); NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner
Clemmie’s focus is on paediatric neurodevelopment conditions, with a special focus on autism and ADHD. Clemmie has a neurodiversity-affirming (NDA) approach- supporting the strengths and uniqueness of human brains, and working against stigma and pathologising. She is currently training in clinical psychology and works under the mentorship of experienced ND-affirming clinical supervisors. A lifelong horse lover, Clemmie combines her career in Psychology with 15 years of experience in mindfulness, meditation, mentoring & teaching children, and nature connection. She has worked with at-risk children, immigrants, special-needs clients, and other vulnerable populations for over ten years.
She has provisional registration as a psychologist with AHPRA* and is completing a Master of Clinical Psychology. She has a BA in Psychology with first-class honours from Reed College, with a thesis in behavioral neuroscience on the neural circuitry of trauma under Dr. Paul Currie, and a Master of Professional Psychology with Distinction from the University of Southern Queensland.
She is trained as an Equine-Assisted Psychotherapist with the Equine Psychotherapy Institute.
She has completed multiple apprenticeships in Natural Horsemanship and the Horse-Human Connection Academy under Madison Shambaugh. She has worked full-time in the equine industry since 2016, mostly as a guide for trail rides and multiday horse treks.
Clemmie has nurtured a dedicated meditation practise for 15 years in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition and a Qi Gong practise for 6 years. She has completed Jon Kabat Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program and is currently studying mindfulness under Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach with the goal of completing her training as a meditation teacher.
Clemmie is excited about incorporating aspects of Animal-Assisted Play Therapy (including dogs, birds, chickens, goats) and Compassion-Focused Therapy into her work with children and youth.
* Please note: Clemmie works as an Equine-Assisted Learning Facilitator at Wild Tracks, not a psychologist.
To book a session with Clemmie, please submit your info here, and our admin team will be in touch.
Fees: Sessions are $193.45 and can be charged to NDIS funding
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
- Writing case notes
- Communicating with stakeholders about your progress
- Discussing your goals with our team
- Setting up and packing down activities designed just for you
... and more!