What are Equine Assisted Sessions
The video above provides an explanation of what you can expect from an Equine Assisted Session. If you prefer to read, continue to scroll on.
Equine Assisted Sessions (equine assisted psychotherapy / learning) are a unique approach to therapy / experiential learning, where clients are offered safe experiences with horses for the purposes of social-emotional and relationship skills building, enhancing quality of life and personal development. This can be anything at all - but might look like:
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Confidence Building / Self Esteem
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Life and Social Skill Development
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Relationships
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Boundaries
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Grief and loss / Trauma
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Enhancing communication
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Anxiety and Depression
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Self doubt / uncertainty
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Exploring cognitions and beliefs
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Working with goals
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Emotional Regulation
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Exploring behavioural patterns
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Blocks / motivations / obstacles
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Opportunities for deeper awareness
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Team Building / Leadership
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Life Transitions
Whether you’re an equestrian or have had minimal to no contact with horses, equine assisted sessions may be for you. People of all ages can benefit from these sessions by working with what is happening for you now, uncovering your patterns and behaviours, becoming more aware of yourself and your beliefs to understand the ways they may no longer be serving you well, or leaving you feeling stuck.
What To Expect
Well to start with, sessions are held outside. Yes - out in nature. In the sunshine and the fresh air (sometimes even rain).
Horses offer an acceptance that is authentic and non-judgmental. Horses live in the here and now. They are herd animals who seek connection. Therefore, horses can show us how we are in our relationships, how we communicate with others, and how we interact with our thoughts and feelings.
Individual Equine Assisted Sessions are tailored to individual needs, and focus on each client's unique needs, wants, desires and challenges. After an initial assessment and check-in, the practitioner and client co-create the client's unique learning goals. Each session, the client is offered a relational experience with one or more horses, that is specific to the client's learning goals. This might be just spending time with a horse, grooming, touching, leading or working with obstacles that you actually get to make.
For anyone looking for an alternative or powerful addition to room-based therapy, Equine Assisted Sessions provide an opportunity to explore learning goals in the presence of horses. You do not need to have a horse background or any previous horse knowledge. Clients are supported during the entire session to ensure safety. Learning is only possible when we feel calm, safe and regulated - at Whispers of Wisdom we want to support and empower our clients in the most helpful way, tailored to individual needs.
Equine Assisted Sessions are not riding lessons and you do not need any experience with horses. Sessions run for 60 minutes.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 '𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼' 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲.
Where do I go & What do I bring
We are located at an idyllic location in the heart of Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast.
It is best to wear closed in shoes, long pants / something that you will be comfortable in.
It is recommended that you bring a hat, raincoat, sunscreen and please bring some water.
More details will be provided upon booking.
Client Comments
Thank you so much for the experience, it was incredible. The environment was very welcoming and the way you held the space for me to feel and express what was happening made it easy to trust the process and open those parts of myself that had come up in a very short time. I was actually a little bit surprised as to how much came into my consciousness. I'm very grateful to you all for that.
I came home with a wealth of insight into what has been troubling me lately and over the span of my life and it carried on into the rest of my day where I had further realisation about myself.
Moreover, you are a professional, caring and knowledgeable practitioner and I felt as though I was in great hands. The horses natural ability to be unapologetically comfortable and steady in themselves helped me see the parts of me that were searching for a way to be that way within myself too and it definitely helped me understand my own thoughts and beliefs.
Emma
I felt like an awakening had occurred, a love that I had forgotten, which had me wondering what else is in slumber within.
Christine Edwards
Time spent with Amanda is a beautiful healing experience.
Being outdoors with a horse present is even more special.
Mary
I love this day so much - I don't want it to end.
It was such a magical day today.
Jasmine & Sasha (7 & 8 yo)
Leila loved her time with you at the Super Powered Girls program. What a great activity for young girls. Teaching them to embrace their inner super power and shine their light in the world. We can highly recommend this workshop to all girls. Well done.
Tara Pearson
The boys were really proud of the obstacle course they made and the cards they chose for themselves at the Super Powered Boys program. They made an obstacle course at home today!
Jodie Baldwin
