Jul 26, 2022
Kristy Southers
Equine Therapy

 

I am so very grateful to work as a counsellor (at Able2 in Springwood), a coach (private practice), and an equine assisted psychotherapist (at Amaroo Equine in Megalong Valley).

 

Amaroo is an aboriginal word that means ‘a beautiful place’ – and it certainly lives up to its name. Not only is Amaroo beautiful to look at, it is also a place where beautiful work, connection, kindness, and healing happens.

 

Belinda Muiser is the owner and founder of Amaroo Equine and I have been privileged to work and learn alongside her since September 2021. I am new to this wonderful work!

 

Amaroo has a herd of 13 horses who each bring their own individual wisdom to client sessions. It is an incredible experience to witness the authentic connection horses and humans can have together. Horses are sentient beings who can evoke strong emotions and insights (if we are open to them). The ‘way of the horse’ has much to teach us about respect, connection, emotional regulation, the power of thoughts, the value of being present and aware, and more.

Sessions are either psychoeducational, such as:

  • The Horse Wisdom Program
  • Corporate Wellbeing, Leadership, and Development Programs
  • Ladies’ Days
  • School Holiday Programs

Or counselling/psychotherapy sessions for a range of presentations such as:

  • Personal development
  • PTSD/Trauma work
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • ASD
  • Other mental health conditions

 

Equine assisted learning and therapy has a wholistic, inclusive, non-clinical, and optimistic approach to the human experience. It is based on established therapies such as Gestalt, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, and Buddhist psychology. We work using models and training from the Equine Psychotherapy Institute (EPI) of Australia, and the research and work of its founders, Meg Kirby and Noel Haarburger.

 

I am so happy to have been invited to Rotary to share with you information about Amaroo, Equine Therapy, and how I got so lucky as to land here, professionally.