Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Queensland

26/09/2026

This week I had the privilege of presenting at the Equine Assisted Therapy Australia 10th Anniversary Conference. Alongside internationally recognised leaders, researchers and practitioners, we gathered to explore the power of attunement, relationship and trauma-informed practice. The conference created a space for deep reflection, shared wisdom and meaningful conversations about the role of connection in healing. Listening to the diverse journeys and insights of professionals from across Australia and abroad was both humbling and inspiring.

As EATA celebrated this significant 10-year milestone, it was a meaningful honour to contribute among such a diverse and passionate community. What stood out most was the sense of connection and shared purpose. People from many different professional backgrounds and walks of life came together with a common vision for relational practice, united by a deep respect for attunement, authentic relationship and the healing potential of connection.

I left with a renewed appreciation for the strength of our community and our collective commitment to relational practice. A heartfelt thank you to Jane Faulkner for her vision and dedication in creating and nurturing a professional community where practitioners can learn, grow and continue to evolve together.

24/09/2026

21/09/2026

Off to Equine Assisted Therapy Australia RTO no:41482 10th Anniversary and conference. I will be one of many presenters, speaking on Equine Attunement and Relational Practise. The space they hold.

10/09/2026

🎓 A milestone worth reflecting on...

Completing my Master of Counselling from the University of Canberra feels like a milestone worth reflecting on.

While I am proud of this achievement, the qualification itself is only part of the story.

I never finished high school. I struggled with literacy, learning difficulties and self-doubt, and for a long time questioned what I was truly capable of.

Today, I hold a Graduate Certificate in Community and Youth Work from Griffith University, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling, and a Master of Counselling from the University of Canberra.

I am also a Certified Equine Assisted Mental Health Practitioner and the Director and Lead Practitioner of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Qld, a practice I have proudly built and led over the past six years.

Supporting people experiencing trauma, adversity and complex mental health challenges is more than my profession. It is my passion.

One of the greatest privileges of this work is being trusted with people's stories. We meet people at some of their most vulnerable moments, walk alongside them through healing and growth, and hold space for experiences that are often deeply personal and profound.

With that privilege comes responsibility. Continuing to learn, grow and strengthen my practice is not about collecting qualifications. It is about ensuring I can provide the best support possible to those who place their trust in me.

My own journey reminds me that people are far more capable than they often believe.

A heartfelt thank you to my family for their unwavering support, and to my incredible equine team. Your quiet presence, patience and ability to simply be have taught me as much about connection, trust and healing as any classroom ever could. Without you beside me, I genuinely don't believe I would have achieved this milestone.

As proud as I am of completing my Master's, what excites me most is continuing to grow and provide the highest level of care to the people I have the privilege of supporting.

I never finished high school, struggled with literacy and learning difficulties, and yet here I am.

If I can do it, others can too. ❤️🐴🎓

03/09/2026

Hey All I am very excited to be presenting at the Equine Assisted Therapy Australia RTO no:41482 10 year Anniversary Conference.

🐴 Presenter Spotlight: Rachel Farr

At EATA’s 10th Anniversary Conference this September, Director and Lead Practitioner at Equine Assisted Psychotherapy QLD (EAPQ), Rachel Farr, will present The Space They Hold: Equine Attunement and Relational Practice in Complex Trauma.

🌿 Through an experiential presentation, Rachel will demonstrate how to maintain safety, and relational attunement with a client case study of complex trauma.

🤝 Her session will consider what it means to truly hold space for clients and the role of practitioner presence, confidence and intuitive awareness.

Rachel’s approach is informed by more than 20 years of professional experience across the disability, youth, community and mental health sectors.

💚 She also brings personal insight into the lived realities of complex trauma, shaping her commitment to supporting individuals with long-term mental health needs.

In her private practice, Rachel specialises in working with NDIS participants, young people, people in care and individuals experiencing AOD challenges.

🎓 Rachel holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Community and Youth Work from Griffith University and completed Mental Health Practitioner training with Equine Assisted Therapies Australia in 2018.

She recently graduated with a Master of Counselling (Person-Centred Practice) with the University of Canberra.

🌿 Rachel’s session will offer a practical and experiential look at the complexities of working with trauma, and how the presence of horses can contribute to a responsive and carefully held therapeutic space.

🐴 We look forward to welcoming Rachel to the EATA Conference and learning from her more than two decades of experience.

Limited tickets remain: https://events.humanitix.com/equine-assisted-therapy-australia-conference

22/08/2026

🐴 THE HORSE ISN'T THE THERAPIST.

And this is something I think is really important to understand about Healing With Horses.

We don't put responsibility onto the horse to "heal" someone.
We don't ask the horse to fix anything.

And we don't need to turn every movement the horse makes into a message.

Instead, we create a safe space where something can be noticed.
A boundary.
A feeling.
A physical response.
A moment of connection.
An urge to move closer — or further away.

The horse becomes part of an experience that allows someone to become curious about themselves.

And the skill of the facilitator is knowing when to ask a question…
when to gently invite exploration…
and when to simply allow the moment to be.

That is where the real work begins.

We'll be talking much more about the art of facilitating Healing With Horses over the coming weeks. 🌿

- The Way of the Horse 🐴

03/08/2026

Today, the equestrian world says goodbye to Monty Roberts.

He was someone who sparked huge debate. Some riders and trainers embraced his approach to natural horsemanship, while others questioned or disagreed with it. But whether you were a supporter or a critic, it’s hard to deny that he got people thinking differently about horses.

To me, that’s an important part of horsemanship. We don’t all have to agree. Healthy debate pushes us to question, learn and evolve. What matters is that the horse stays at the centre of that conversation.

Monty Roberts was, above all else, a horseman. He dedicated his life to understanding horses and encouraging people to look beyond force and towards communication. His methods may not have been for everyone, but his passion for horses was never in doubt.

Rest in peace, Monty Roberts. Thank you for leaving the equestrian world with something to think about, discuss and continue building on.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Did Monty Roberts influence your journey with horses in any way?

03/08/2026

I love this ...

It's ok to feel a bit "meh."

Just because everyone else says they had the best time ever doesn't mean you have to pretend you did too.

You can be grateful... and still not have had a great time.

Those two things can exist together.

Gratitude doesn't cancel out disappointment.
Appreciation doesn't erase exhaustion.
And saying, "It just wasn't for me," doesn't make you negative.

We're often made to feel that if we've been given an opportunity, we should only speak positively about it.

But life isn't black and white.

Sometimes an experience teaches us what we don't enjoy just as much as what we do.

So if you're feeling a little flat after something everyone else seemed to love...

That's ok.

Your feelings don't need to match anyone else's.

They're yours.

And they're valid. 💚

02/08/2026

Horse therapy is NOT a Scam !!

This isn't just about horses. It's about people.

People with disability who have found connection, confidence, emotional regulation, communication skills, independence, and a sense of belonging through equine-assisted therapy.

At Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Queensland, our practitioners are appropriately qualified, experienced, and committed to ethical, professional, and evidence-informed practice. We work hard every day to provide safe, meaningful therapeutic support that helps participants build capacity and work towards their individual goals.

Capacity building is a journey. Like any effective therapy, meaningful growth happens over time through consistent support, trusted therapeutic relationships, and opportunities to develop and practise new skills. We regularly witness participants building confidence, strengthening their emotional wellbeing, developing social and communication skills, and increasing their independence in ways that carry over into their everyday lives.

When equine-assisted therapy is labelled a "scam", it dismisses the lived experiences of participants and families who have seen firsthand the positive impact this work can have. It also overlooks the dedication of qualified professionals who are committed to helping people achieve meaningful outcomes.

We welcome accountability, transparency, and high standards across all NDIS-funded supports. However, broad statements and sensationalised reporting can cause real harm, creating doubt around therapies that many people rely on and benefit from.

The horses don't do the work alone. The therapeutic relationship, the expertise of qualified practitioners, and carefully tailored interventions are what create meaningful change. For many participants, that change is real, measurable, and life-changing.❤️🐴

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IS NOT AN NDIS SCAM

Ben Fordham recently described “horse therapy” as the latest NDIS scam. This misleading generalisation fails to distinguish recreational activities from legitimate animal-assisted therapy.

View the original post:
https://www.facebook.com/100053078863268/posts/1574123884366892/

The NDIA confirms that animal-assisted therapy can be funded when delivered by a qualified health professional as part of a goal-directed, evidence-based treatment plan and when it meets NDIS funding requirements.

ATL supports action against fraud, inflated fees and inappropriate claiming. However, legitimate practitioners and participants should not be discredited because some providers misuse the system.

ATL has written to Ben Fordham to request a correction and has offered to provide accurate information about this specialised field.

Fraud should be exposed—but facts and professional distinctions matter.

Read the NDIA guidance:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/assistive-technology/animal-supports/what-animal-assisted-therapy

Ben Fordham

Ben FordhamstedTherapy

12/06/2026

𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁

Every day, more and more people reach out to Animal Therapies Ltd seeking funding support to be connected with animal-assisted mental health services.

Individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, disability, chronic illness and other mental health challenges – many at risk of falling through the cracks.

Before 30 June, demand is expected to increase even further. Without funding, many will join an already growing waitlist.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲: https://animalshelpinghumans.org.au

Your support today could be the reason someone receives help instead of waiting for it. Thank you.