Our Therapeutic Approach

Horses Healing Us

Our Approach

Horses Healing Us Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy Programs are tailored to meet the particular needs of the individual client / participant. Each of us is unique in our own way and we aim to bring together a program to meet your specific goals and circumstances.

Person Centered

Person centred stance whereby we recognise that clients / participants have all the skills and talents they need to survive and thrive within themselves.

Person Centred Therapy is considered an Evidence Based Approach to therapy.

Strengths Based

Strengths based in that we seek to amplify the identified strengths of our clients and participants rather than labelling them with terms that limit their potential.

The effectiveness of Strengths Based Therapy as an evidence Based Approach is still being evaluated.

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy emphasizes the present moment and the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Gestalt Therapy is considered an Evidence Based Approach to therapy.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative Therapy whereby clients can re-author their life stories to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth.

Narrative Therapy is considered to be an Evidence Based Approach to therapy.

And of course we work with all the magnificent qualities that our horses bring to the therapeutic space, and horses have an amazing capacity to help humans in a way that no other animals can match.

Various Models of Equine Assisted Learning, Counselling and Psychotherapy

Whilst there are various “schools” or therapeutic models for Equine Therapy, such as EAGALA, the EPI model and others, the most essential aspect of any equine based therapy is that the lead practitioner has been well trained in micro-counselling skills, effective implementation of therapeutic interventions, has been trained in horse management, behaviour and ground skills such as those specified above and that they are a member of a recognized professional association for counselling and psychotherapy and have all relevant the insurance policies in place: public liability, professional indemnity.

Membership of Associations means adhering to ethics, regulations and professional standards.

Horses Healing Us’, lead practitioner, Andrew Reay, is a clinical member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) number 30404, a level 4 member (highest) of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) #8312, a clinical member of the Australian Association of Clinical Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists (number 2003094), a member of the EMDR Association of Australia and is a recognised supervisor of PACFA and ACA members.