FAQs

The terms ‘counsellor’, ‘psychotherapist’ and ‘therapist’ can be used by anyone no matter what level of study or training they have completed. However, psychologist is a professional term given to a person who has qualified and registered with the regulatory body – Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Key requirements of being a registered psychologist are ongoing professional training, maintaining professional and ethical standards and strict adherence to various codes of conduct, confidentiality and privacy.

Before being eligible to be registered as a psychologist, you must complete four years of Undergraduate university study in the areas of psychology and human behaviour. This must be followed by either a Postgraduate university training (1-2 years) and/or an extensive supervision and internship program and the passing of the Australian National Psychology Exam. Psychologists are also required to engage in ongoing clinical supervision and professional development. This ongoing training supports psychologists in using current evidence-based knowledge and counselling skills to support people with a range of life challenges and mental health concerns.

Psychological counselling or treatment is an evidence based scientific approach to assisting people with their life challenges. There is research on what is know as ‘talking’ therapy that shows that people who receive psychological therapy are emotionally better off than 80% of those who have not had therapy. Your psychologist will work with you to develop insight and strategies to assist you with the challenges you are experiencing. Therapy works best when you apply the strategies discussed in sessions. As we are all people some strategies will work better for others and part of the therapeutic relationship is to discuss what strategies have been working and those that are not as effective for you. Ongoing discussions and transparency in the therapeutic interventions and process is something we enjoy working on at Harnessing Wellness Psychology Ltd Pty.

Anyone can attend psychological therapy. Psychologist’s work to provide a non- judgemental confidential space to talk about issues relating to symptoms of grief and loss, stress, anxiety, panic, depression, physical illness and challenging relationships. Issues can also include isolation, being bullied, parenting issues, lack of motivation, low self worth and relationship problems.

People who attend psychological counselling do not have to have a diagnosed mental health issue, they can be:

• Prolonged sense of helplessness
• Prolonged feelings of sadness
• Not sure how you feel but do not feel like you used to.
• Feeling overwhelmed and not functioning like you used to.
• Feeling flat and lacking in motivation
• The issues and challenges you are facing do not seem to get better even though you are trying to change things.
• You find it difficult to concentrate on school or work tasks or to carry out other everyday activities.
• You worry excessively, expect the worst, or are constantly on edge
• Your behaviours and coping strategies have changes and you notice you are drinking more alcohol, using drugs,
• Notice you are being aggressive, towards other,
• You notice you are harming yourself

Equine assisted psychological therapy is an adjunct therapy offered by a psychologist who incorporates horses and ponies in a therapeutic way via activities.  The horse and ponies may interact actively or passively. Riding the horse and mastering horsemanship skills are not the focus of the therapy. Horse psychology and behaviour will be taught to the client as part of the sessions.  As understanding the horse as a sentient being is important, it offers lessons in compassion for another and self. Equine assisted psychology is an active experiential therapeutic process.

Psychological intervention plans are based evidenced based therapeutic frameworks can include health psychology frameworks, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness strategies, or other empirically supported psychological therapies.

At Harnessing Wellness we do not do horse riding activities.

Harnessing Wellness Psychology has a health psychology, somatic experiencing and wellness framework when working with the horses. We have been working with children and adolescents who have experience medical illness, such as cancer, leukemia, epilepsy and who are experiencing anxiety and depression, challenges of missing school and disconnect from friends due to medial appointments. Being with the horses is an alternative to clinical medical treatment and an environment away with psychology and build resilience being the key focus. The horses are present in the process. 

We have also been working with people who would like to walk and talk outside with the horses.  We are not able to accept refers for people who are aggressive or violent towards animals or humans. Or client’s who may not listen to instructions or may abscond as it may increase risk with the horses and our duty of care to safety. Our clients, the horses and staff wellbeing at harnessing wellness are very important and therefore we are not able to take referrals for people who pose a risk the wellbeing and safety.

A first session is a time when we meet, fill out paperwork and go through issues and challenges and treatment goals.  We will discuss the horses, characters and begin our work around learning about the horses and ourselves.

Further sessions may involve play therapy, leading or grooming, paddock work or indoor work with the horses. Sessions may also involve cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness and Interpersonal therapy, problem solving skills and or skills building. Every therapeutic journey is unique, and we work to best suit you or your child.

Being around horses, and outdoors means wearing appropriate clothing. People must wear closed toed shoes, and weather appropriate clothing, please bring sun hats, and jackets depending on the weather.

Horses have a keen sense of smell, especially for treats. We do not encourage food bought onto the property and feeding the horses is not allowed. There are times when hay for the horses may be used in sessions for therapeutic purposes this will be guided by the psychologist.