HARNESSING WELLNESS PSYCHOLOGY

Psychological counselling for individuals looking for support in harnessing wellness
Equine Assisted PsychologyPsychology and Counselling

Welcome to

Harnessing Wellness

Harnessing Wellness Psychology is a private psychological counselling service located in the beautiful Yarra Ranges, in Victoria, Australia.

We offer a variety of counselling modes for individuals and small groups delivered face to face, telehealth options via telephone or video and adjunct equine assisted therapy.

At Harnessing Wellness we believe in offering solution-focused, practical evidence-based psychological interventions to support mental health and wellness. Our experienced practitioners are passionate about working in semi-rural and rural communities. Client confidentiality, privacy and emotional well-being are paramount at Harnessing Wellness and our staff adhere to professional privacy and confidentiality codes of conduct.

The psychologists and counsellors working at Harnessing Wellness are registered with the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and other professional associations.

Equine Assisted Psychology

Do you love horses and ponies? Prefer to walk and talk?

Equine Assisted Therapy is an adjunct therapy conducted outdoors with horses and ponies. The psychologist or counsellor facilitates the session using evidence based psychological interventions and includes activities with horses as part of the therapeutic process.

Psychology & Counselling, Assessments

Do you have thoughts and behaviours that are no longer serving you well?

Psychological counselling is a discussion using a therapeutic framework that aims to provide a non-judgmental and emotionally safe place to explore current or past challenges or barriers to improving your mental health and wellbeing. We work with a variety of issues:

  • Birth trauma
  • Perinatal and postnatal issues
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Neurodiversity affirming counselling
  • Stress 
  • Post- traumatic stress 
  • Workplace related burnout
  • Vicarious trauma
  • Grief & loss, life transition
  • Adjustment issues,
  • Bullying

 

Equine Assisted Therapy

Telehealth Appointments

Are you unable to make your appointment face to face or would you prefer to have your session from the comfort of your own home?

We have telehealth options available so you can speak with us on the phone or via video conferencing from anywhere in Australia, making psychological counselling more accessible to all.

Melbourne Psychologist

Books, Courses & Resources

Have you been looking for books for children to assist discussions around mental health? Our psychologist has written children’s books on mental health and wellbeing.

Do you have an interest in Equine Assisted Therapy? Our resources will help you learn about how to incorporate Equine Assisted Therapy into your business.

Melbourne Psychologist

Clinical Supervision For Equine Assisted Therapists and Psychologists

Are you a student or professional looking for supervision or business coaching in Equine Assisted Therapy?

We offer clinical supervision and coaching for professionals who work with horses and who are interested in learning how to integrate them into therapeutic practice.

‘The horse commonly symbolizes power, grace, beauty, nobility, strength and freedom’.

From ‘Hoofprints for Setting Up an Equine Assisted Therapy clinic’ by Naomi Rossthorn

Welcome

Welcome. I am Naomi, the Clinical Director of Harnessing Wellness Psychology. I am pictured here with Happy, our senior Therapy Pony.  I started Harnessing Wellness Psychology with the idea to providing psychological counselling to people in a welcoming, relaxed environment. To create this environment we operate a farm based office setting surrounded by beautiful views.

We are a small clinic that aims to offer the best possible psychology services to our clients. We cater to a variety of people from the suburbs to semi-rural and rural communities.

I believe my work as psychologist is a privilege. Building rapport with people is the basis of the therapeutic process and without it we can not truly be ‘harnessing wellness’. 

I enjoy the rural lifestyle and horsemanship and since 2010 I have worked, trained in and researched Equine Assisted Therapy. My book ‘Hoofprints for Setting Up and Equine Assisted Therapy Clinic‘ is a compilation of my personal and professional knowledge. I have spent time combining resources to assist aspiring or practicing equine assisted therapists. 

In 2020, during the pandemic lockdowns, I wrote books about the therapy ponies for the children that used to work with them at Harnessing Wellness.  ‘Happy the Very Sad Pony‘ and ‘Trigger the Anxious Horse‘ and ‘All Horses Become the Stars’ are written for children struggling to understand mental health and how it affects them, their friends and family.

 

Naomi Rossthorn

COVID-19- SAfety Plan and Harnessing WEllness

Harnessing Wellness continues to provide services to the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We offer our services in accordance with keeping the safety of our clients, families, team members, and the community in mind. We have a COVIDSafe plan in place which is reviewed following Victorian Government and professional body advice.

We offer Equine Assisted Therapy when it fits into the COVIDSafe guidelines. The nature of Equine Assisted Therapy can make it difficult to adhere to social distancing regulations and infectious control procedures therefore we revise this regularly. Please contact us to discuss our current Equine Assisted Therapy timetable. Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

Latest From Our Blog

Psychological wellbeing can be explored through our awareness of how stress, mental health, coping mechanisms and relationships may be impacting us. We aim to support you to increase your awareness and explore strategies for the future. Discover more about Equine Assisted Therapy and psychology here.

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Contact

Phone

613911-82022

Fax

6139923-6982

Address

Office location: Bamfield Road, Mount Evelyn. Seven minutes from the town of Mount Evelyn, Yarra Ranges, Victoria.

Please note: Harnessing Wellness is not a 24 hour emergency or crisis service. If you are in crisis or need to access emergency services or support 24 hours please call 000

Life Line 13 11 14

Kids Help Line 1800 557 800

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Gamblers Help 1800 858 858

Men’s Line 1300 789 978

Q Life 1800 184 527

Open Arms 1800 011 046

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Domestic Violence Support 1800 737 732

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Harnessing Wellness Psychology, Naomi Rossthorn and associates acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.