EAC is a unique therapeutic approach that involves interactions with horses to address various mental health and emotional challenges. Horses are intuitive animals that respond to human emotions, providing valuable insights through their behavior. Through activities like grooming and leading, you will learn about non-verbal communication, trust, and relationship-building. EAC encourages self-reflection and problem-solving, helping clients gain new perspectives and develop emotional regulation skills. Facilitated by qualified mental health professionals, EAC is effective for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and so much more.
Introduction & Safety: Begin with a brief orientation on the process and safety protocols for interacting with horses.
Goal Setting: Discuss your goals or specific issues you wish to address with our therapist.
Horse Activities: Engage in activities like grooming, leading, or observing horses to gain insights into your emotions and behaviors.
Reflection: Share and reflect on your experiences to uncover personal insights.
Integration & Closure: Discuss how to apply these insights to your daily life and plan for future sessions.
Join us for a unique therapeutic journey where the non-judgmental presence of horses helps facilitate personal growth and self-awareness.
Absolutely not, our sessions are tailored to your needs, goals and confidence levels. We incorporate all sorts of techniques that suit you best including art creativity, nature-based activities, somatic experiences and can be with or without the presence of the horses. It’s totally led by you and where you’re at.
It is important to always wear closed toe shoes – runners or boots are best and gumboots for the wetter seasons. Pants and T-shirt that covers your shoulders is always recommended and encouraged. Dress for the weather, in winter – make sure you rug up and wear a rain coat. In summer shorts are okay to wear, however we still encourage t-shirts to be worn. And don’t forget the sunscreen and a hat!
There are so many benefits and they can be a variety for different people, but here’s a list of the most common ones;
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Builds trust and strong bonds
- Improves relational skills
- Better quality of relationships
- Reducess stress and anxiety
- Encourages mindfulness
- Improves confidence
- Helps identify and express emotions
- Improves physical health and wellbeing
- Improves self awareness
- Increases interoception and proprioception
- Encourages emotional regulation
- Trauma processing
EAC can help people who are experiencing but not limited to the following;
- Anxiety and Stress
- Depression
- Trauma
- PTSD
- Relationship issues
- ADHD/ADD
- Autism
- Domestic Violence
- Substance abuse
- Parenting challenges
- Eating disorders
- Behavioural concerns
Unfortunately, at Phoenix Rise Equine Therapies there is no horse riding involved. We focus on relationship building on the ground in a way that is safe and comfortable for both you and the horse.
Sessions will only be canceled or rescheduled if the weather is dangerous for you, our horses and our staff. This includes thunderstorms with lightening, torrential heavy rain, hail or weather that is above 35 degrees celsius in summer. Rainy days in winter will still go ahead as we have undercover areas to work in – be sure to rug up to stay warm. You will always be notified if a session has to be rescheduled due to the weather. So always assume your session is going ahead if you don’t hear from us.
We offer our services across two locations.
Our first location is nestled at the gateway of the Yarra valley in Wandin North at 205 Victoria Rd (Glenbrae Equestrian Centre), 50kms east (about 1 hour by car) from Melbourne CBD.
Our second location is at the base of the Bunyip State Forest in Labertouche at 350 Forest Rd, 80kms south east (about 1 hour by car) from Melbourne CBD and 20kms from Warragul.
Horses are deeply attuned to relationships and communicate with honesty, offering clear and immediate feedback. As prey animals, they possess a heightened awareness of their environment, allowing them to keenly interpret our body language. This heightened perception and awareness play a significant role in their interactions with people, creating a calm and respectful space for us to explore our relationships and our own inner selves.
Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body to help address psychological issues. It is based on the idea that trauma, stress, and other emotional experiences can be stored in the body and manifest as physical symptoms or discomfort.
In somatic therapy, the therapist helps the client become more aware of their bodily sensations and physical experiences. This awareness can help release stored tension, emotions, and trauma that may not be fully processed through traditional talk therapy alone. Techniques used in somatic therapy may include breathing exercises, movement, touch, grounding exercises, and mindfulness practices.
Somatic therapy is often used to treat conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and trauma. By working with both the mind and body, somatic therapy aims to create a more holistic healing process.
There are times when we run school holiday programs for different age groups, these programs will be shared to our social media pages, please follow the links below to stay up to date with upcoming programs by liking and following our social media accounts.
Enquire to see how we can support you. Suitable for corporate groups wanting a reflective practice with the horses, NDIS programs inclusive of wheelchair users. Programs can be tailored specific to your group’s needs.
Yes, Online Counselling sessions are available and can be booked via the
Client Portal.
Once a new Participant/Client has registered via our Online Portal, they will be sent an email containing these links to complete. Here they are if you have lost the email.
Invoices are sent out at the time of booking along with your booking confirmation and are required to be paid 24hrs prior to your session.
Fees are to be paid before your session, this ensures that we can focus solely on your healing journey.
NDIS self-managed participants are required to pay before the session and can use the invoice to be reimbursed using their NDIS plan.
NDIS plan-managed participants will be invoiced via their plan manager after the session and payment is due within 7 days.
Unpaid sessions from the past will lead to a suspension of future services until all outstanding invoices are settled.
If sessions are cancelled within 24hrs, the full fee of the session is payable. Reminders are automatically sent out 48hrs prior – please ensure you respond so we know you can make it, or we can open up the booking for someone
else if you are unable to.
