Equine Therapy uses the bond between horse and human as a catalyst for healing and there is a growing evidence base, particularly in the US, Canada and UK, of the therapeutic benefits of Equine Therapy as part of the recovery process for military veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and a range of mental health conditions. Mates4Mates in partnership with Equine Encounters Australia (EEA) offer Equine Therapy programs to couples and individuals to help them on their recovery journey. Through engagement in the learning process, participants are able to safely access feelings such as fear/panic, sadness/grief and anger/rage and develop internal resources to better monitor and regulate their level of engagement with these otherwise overwhelming emotions. For some participants they re-connect with affection and compassion for the first time in therapeutic processing. Using a combination of the reflecting capacities and sentient qualities of the horse,
together with a series of graded activities to raise self-awareness, participants are provided with a unique opportunity to rebuild trust, confidence, awareness; to develop emotional regulation skills, and to enhance social skills.
This webinar took place 2 PM Wednesday 11 September 2019
More about the presenters
Georgia Ash
Georgia is a registered Clinical Psychologist (BBeh Sc., BPsych (Hons), MClinPsych) and holds the position of Psychological Services Manager at Mates4Mates. Georgia has worked in a variety of settings including government, not for profit, private organisations and academic institutions as well as having her own private practice. Georgia holds an interest in the treatment of:
• PTSD & complex trauma
• Chronic conditions
• Health psychology
• Gender issues – A specific interest for Georgia is assisting her clients to build resilience, form meaningful connections with other people and achieve a balanced lifestyle utilising both physical and psychological strategies to maintain wellness.
• Georgia uses a range of therapeutic techniques to assist clients including:
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Clare Mitchell
Clare Mitchell-Clare is a registered psychologist (MA (Oxon), MSc, MapPsych). Clare joined Mates4Mates in May 2017. Clare has served in the Royal Air Force and has experienced life as the spouse of a serving member and brings these experiences to her current practice. Clare has an interest in working with adolescents and adults in the areas of:
• Complex trauma
• PTSD
• Grief and loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Victims of domestic violence
Clare uses a range of therapeutic techniques to assist clients including:
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Solution and Strengths focused approaches