FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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No, you do not need previous experience with horses to participate in Equine Assisted Therapy activities. Your therapist will tailor activities to you to ensure safety.

Depending on the session booked, sessions are available in 60-minute, 90-minute, and 120-minute durations. Initial sessions can last up to 90 minutes to allow for a thorough intake.

You will need to bring closed-in shoes to sessions for safety reasons. It is recommended for sun protection that you also bring a hat, sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt, and a water bottle. On rainy or cold days, I would recommend bringing a jacket and gumboots.

All therapy sessions are tailored to you and your specific goals. Some therapy activities that may be included in your session are art, music, somatic experiencing and equine-assisted therapy. 

Sessions can take place both inside our beautiful therapy practice and outside in nature, by our private creek, or with our four-legged co-therapists in their meadow. Equine-assisted therapy activities can take place inside or outside the paddock and may include grooming, catching, leading, playing, or simply standing with the horses. All activities are adjustable and taken at your and the horse's pace. The horses have been specially trained to be co-therapists and are quiet, calm, and sociable. 

Your initial session will include signing the waiver and agreement, followed by an intake. Intakes help your therapist get to know you and understand your goals. 

Depending on the severity of the weather, some equine-assisted therapy activities can proceed. Fortunately, we have some outdoor undercover options. However, in storms or severe weather conditions, we will remain indoors for the session due to safety reasons.

 Equine-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves interactions between people and horses to promote emotional, mental, physical, and social well-being. It’s used as a complementary treatment for a wide range of conditions and is guided by qualified therapists and certified equine specialists. 

Horses have many unique qualities which make them effective therapeutic partners.  Horses respond to a person’s behaviour, body language, and emotional state honestly and immediately. This provides direct, non-verbal feedback to the client.  Horses are prey animals with a strong "flight" instinct and are highly sensitive to their environment. They can mirror the emotions and intentions of those around them, making them excellent at showing hidden emotional states or unresolved trauma. Horses are also herd animals that form deep bonds with one another and rely heavily on accurate communication for their survival. They are highly attuned, grounded, and clear communicators, which is useful when working with clients to develop social, relationship, and communication skills.

Horses help clients become more aware of their emotional regulation. They can also assist clients in overcoming fear or hesitation, which builds resilience, trust, and empowerment. Clients often form strong bonds with horses, which helps build relationship skills by demonstrating healthy attachment styles, improving social skills, enhancing communication, and encouraging empathy and trust. 

Some conditions equine-assisted therapy benefits include PTSD, depression, anxiety, autism, learning disabilities, developmental delays, substance abuse and mental health challenges.

Of course you can! With your consent, we can collaborate with any other support networks involved in your care to help provide the best approach for you.

Meet Me In The Meadow offers a range of therapeutic modalities and counselling techniques to accommodate each individual's needs best. Clients are offered to explore and be themselves in a safe, non-judgmental and healing space. Meet Me In The Meadow also offers a unique opportunity to experience equine-assisted therapy. Unlike some practices, Meet Me In The Meadow views their horses as co-therapists and values the horse's freedom of choice on whether they wish to participate in sessions or not. By respecting the horse's choice, the horses can provide honest feedback, and clients can be confident they are receiving an authentic experience. 

Ella is a qualified and credentialed Counsellor/Therapist and is able to offer sessions for individuals who are self-managed or plan-managed through the NDIS. Please note, at this time, we cannot offer mental health plans funded through Medicare.