Bunyarra Farm
Our Services
Equine Assisted Counselling Sessions
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We offer individual sessions to support adults, teens and children. Sessions can be funded through NDIS, government programs, Animal Assisted Therapy grants or privately. We offer a set price for sessions in accordance with the NDIS price guide for Counselling services. If you are unable to access any forms of funding please reach out and we can do our best to support you (see our FAQ for more information).
We can work holistically alongside any other therapists involved with you or your child to provide the best support to you. Equine assisted therapy can be an excellent supplement to psychology and allied health services.
We are able to write NDIS progress or review reports if required. We can also attend team meetings if you need additional support.
Group Sessions or Programs
​If you have an interest in a group program or team building event at the farm, please enquire through our contact form and we would be more than happy to help you and your team or group.
We plan to offer school holiday programs in the future to support families. Please reach out if you are interested.
Our philosophy
We believe that people are experts in their own lives and our sessions support people to get clearer about what they want their lives and relationships to look like. Our sessions are tailored to your goals or the goals for your child. We work alongside you to support your emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Creating safety is the most important part of our work and we work with you to ensure that you feel at home in the therapy space and comfortable engaging with our animals. We work at your pace and support you to stay regulated within your window of tolerance.
We aim to ensure that everyone has a positive experience at the farm and we always welcome feedback from our sessions. We want to ensure that people are getting the most out of their sessions with us and we are always learning and growing.
What to expect from your session
In your session you will be supported by a qualified counsellor who has been trained in equine assisted therapy including horse handling and safety. We are fully insured for our services and you will be asked to sign a waiver for our activities as part of our insurance requirements.
You will be supported to get clear about what you need from sessions and how we can best support you. As part of your first session, we will complete an intake to gather information about how to best support you or your child.
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Sessions may take place in the paddock or sitting back on the couch observing the herd from the therapy room. There is no pressure to engage with the horses or animals until you feel ready and if you are more comfortable in a room that option is available.
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If you do wish to engage with the horses or the animals then this may include interacting with them, learning about them, grooming or care activities, and horsemanship activities such as leading or obstacle courses.
Horse riding is not often part of our sessions. In some circumstances where it is assessed as meeting the specific needs of the client or their goals it may be an option. The focus of any riding would be to support connection, regulation and mindfulness. The majority of the time we will be getting to know the horses on the ground, building trust and connection.
Why Horses?
Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy and connection with animals.
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The research is growing in the field of animal assisted therapies in relation to its wide range of benefits. Horses in particular have a unique ability to attune to people, reflecting back to people their nervous system state, their boundaries and bringing attention to unresolved emotions or trauma.
Despite their strong and powerful physical appearance, horses are deeply sensitive and intuitive animals. A horse can feel your heart rate from four feet away and a fly land on their back; imagine what else these finely tuned animals can feel from you and their environment.
Horses are non judgmental and they offer people an opportunity to feel safe, seen and heard which can often be rare in our human to human relationships. As herd animals, horses are hard wired for connection; much like humans they need social connection. They are also prey animals which means they are constantly assessing the environment for safety and danger.
Learning about horse behaviour and psychology can support adults and children to learn about communication, emotional regulation and relationships. Being in connection with horses and animals offers an experiential way for people to understand their relationship patterns or ways of being and thinking.
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Generally, connection with animals has a wide range of positive benefits. Research suggests that connection with animals can:
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Reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol levels
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Improve mood by increasing mood boosting hormones such as serotonin and dopamine
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Increase self worth, self esteem and confidence
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Lower blood pressure and improve physical health
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Support people with social interactions, emotional regulation and communication
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Increase cognitive functioning such as memory and attention
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