Equine Facilitated Therapy Brisbane

Nature-based therapy for individuals who aren’t suited to talk-based therapies. 

Perfect for individuals seeking holistic therapy that isn’t talk-heavy but is instead accessible, nature-based and supportive of nervous system regulation. It is a wonderful modality for individuals for whom talk-based therapies aren’t preferred.

What is Equine Facilitated Therapy?

Promoting physical and mental well-being through therapeutic and educational activities involving therapy horses

Equine Facilitated Therapy is a professional, innovative, and experiential approach to counselling and psychotherapy that promotes physical and mental well-being. This therapy involves therapeutic and educational activities with horses acting as assistants, co-facilitators, and teachers. It suits clients of all ages and addresses various therapeutic goals, including emotional, cognitive, behavioural, relational, and mental health conditions.

Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) embodies an integrated therapeutic approach to enhance the mind, body, and relational connection between the client, horse, and therapist to support healing. Equine therapy goes beyond conventional talk therapy by incorporating horses into treatment, offering a dynamic environment for personal growth and healing. EFT leverages the innate sensitivity of horses to human emotions, creating a powerful platform for reflection, learning, and emotional breakthroughs. It combines structured activities with horses to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and improved interpersonal relationships. Whether grooming, feeding, or leading a horse, each interaction is designed to mirror and address your life challenges.

How can Equine Facilitated Therapy help me?

Equine Therapy can provide an alternative experience for children and adults who may feel talk-based therapy isn’t the right fit for them.

The novelty of meeting and working with horses can motivate children and young people. Adults can experience relief by accessing therapy in a less pressured setting, within an open space, and in connection with horses. 

  • Horses provide the opportunity to learn relationship skills and new ways of interacting. 

  • Feedback can be provided to participants from a relational base, supporting their sense of safety. Horses can communicate with people in a manner often perceived as less judgemental, fostering learning in relationships. 

  • An experiential learning opportunity in setting boundaries in relationship with the horse, along with learning how to respond assertively and confidently.

  • As horses are embodied, they demonstrate body awareness and connectedness to their senses and the natural environment around them. 

  • Horses encourage emotional authenticity as they "show up" authentically. 

  • EFW is a strengths-based approach that supports participants in building on their strengths and resourcing themselves in the present moment.

  • EFW encourages mindfulness and present moment awareness

Are you ready to feel supported in a way that works for you?

Discover the serenity and joy of working with horses and find a new way to get the support you need without the challenges of talk-based therapies.

A nature-based approach to therapy

Who is Equine Facilitated Therapy for?

EFT is accessible to people from all walks of life. It can benefit children and adults, neurodiverse people, people with mental health diagnoses, and people seeking to reduce stress or focus on personal growth.

EFT can be particularly helpful for:

  • Children with emotional or social difficulties and those needing better self-regulation techniques.

  • Individuals with autism, neurodevelopmental conditions, or mental health challenges who are looking for supportive, non-verbal therapeutic options.

  • Adults dealing with workplace stress, relationship issues, or past traumas who are seeking alternative therapies to cultivate peace and resilience.

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Coping with Stress

  • Grief and Coping with Loss

  • Trauma Recovery

  • Addressing Various Forms of Abuse (sexual, emotional, physical, and neglect)

  • Nurturing Healthy Relationships and Relational Wellness

  • Enhancing Self-esteem, identity, and Personal Growth

  • Guiding Through Life Transitions.

Meet your Equine Facilitated Therapist

Equine Facilitated Therapy can support children, adolescents, adults, and carers with various mental health and well-being challenges.

I am excited to introduce myself and put a face to the name.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to speak to me about Equine Facilitated Therapy or referrals.

Director and Mental Health Social Worker Brooke, trained in Equine Facilitated Wellness through the Professional Association of Equine Facilitated Wellness in Canada. Brooke grew up on a property in western Queensland and was in a saddle before she could walk. Her love of horses and her relationship with them has been woven into her family’s life. Equine Facilitated Therapy was a way for Brooke to bring together her passion for supporting people’s mental health and well-being while also giving those she works with access to the healing power of horses.

Hello, I’m Brooke. I am a senior psychotherapist and Mental Health Social Worker. I provide equine facilitated therapy, trauma and attachment, child and youth mental health, perinatal mental health and family therapy.

Meet Brooke Shakspeare, Mental Health Social Worker and Senior Psychotherapist

Frequently Asked Questions about Equine Facilitated Therapy

Your top questions answered. Don’t see an answer here?
Reach out to us, we’d love to answer all your questions.

  • Yes, there is a difference between Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) and Equine Facilitated Therapy. (EFT). The difference is in the role of the horse; the horse in “equine facilitated therapy” is considered an equal partner and c0-facilitator of therapy, recognised as a sentient being who can communicate their choices, state and intentions in relationships.

  • Horses are involved as sentient co-facilitators who can express their choices and communicate their nervous system states to help us understand how we show up and interact in relationships. Horses can be included through active participation, like leading, moving together, grooming, or observation at a distance to explore relationships and other experiences by observing and making meaning together with the therapist and horses.

  • Equine Facilitated Therapy provided by a qualified medical professional and/or NDIS provider can be covered by Medicare and NDIS as part of a combination of therapeutic interventions within the session.

  • 60 -90 minutes

  • No, it is just necessary to have closed in shoes, a hat and some water as we are outside.

  • Yes definitely, as long as they can be supported to travel and have means for mobility access into a horse area. There are also riding for the disabled specialised programs, however we do not provide those activities currently.

Are you ready to feel seen, heard and supported?

We’re here to hold hope when you can’t hold it yourself.

Not sure which therapy is right for you - no worries! Our team is here to support you, from identifying what support you need to getting your appointments organised.

 

Our clinic is conveniently located in Auchenflower

Can’t make it into the clinic?

We’ve got you covered with telehealth support. Want to meet somewhere else more comfortable? We’re more than happy to meet you there too!

37 Bangalla St.,
Auchenflower 4066

0475 041 910

info@therapywell.com.au