Equine Supported Learning & Psychotherapy
Born out of the Equine Psychotherapy Australia model (www.equinepsychotherapy.net.au.) ESL is an approach to experiential learning where the relationship between the horse, client and practitioner is fundamental. This model is based on the Way of the Horse and draws widely from the principals and practise of Gestalt, a phenomenological method of enquiry which emphasises observation and description of subjective experiences as a way of learning. It encompasses mindfulness, psychotherapy and somatic trauma practise.
In an ESL session a practitioner may offer a variety of individual and group experiments. Equine assisted learning experiments are designed for each individual depending on their particular needs. The experiential focus may be on team building, leadership development, personal growth, or child and adolescent learning. An EAL session may support a client to become more aware and mindful and to harness intention and focus. It may help them to connect with their feelings and to see and explore fixed patterns and beliefs. A session may support clients to experiment with relationship and choices, develop new life skills and experiment with new ways of being in the world.
Facilitator - Ann Poulsen
Counsellor (cert AHHCA), Equine Supported Learning and Personal Development practitioner (cert, Equine Psychotherapy Institute). Registered Teacher Grad.Dip.Ed), Cert. Steiner Teacher, B.Sc. (Zoology)
My passion for horses and other animals goes back for as long as I can remember. As I was growing up most of my spare time was devoted to being with them. Their presence invoked so much for me. Over the years I have continued to learn and grow through my connection with horses.
My interest in science and the environment led me to study the work of Rudolf Steiner and complete the Rudolf Steiner teacher training in 1996. I've worked in Steiner schools and mainstream education for 17 years in many areas including special needs, the arts and teacher training.
In 2014 I had the opportunity to train in Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy (EAL/P) through the Equine Psychotherapy Institute. I studied counselling with Sophia College in 2018 and have worked as a counsellor from 2018 until the present time. My work with children, parents and the community continues in the area of EAL/P where I offer individual sessions or a series of tailored sessions over a period of weeks to adults, children and groups. Many of my clients are NDIS participants. I travel with my horses to Autism Camp Australia where we work with children on the autism spectrum to support their NDIS Learning Goals through Capacity Building, Psycho-education and Skills-development.
I collaborate with fellow practitioners to bring personal development training, team development and leadership development to groups, including schools, corporate groups, women's groups and children's groups.
My business is based on our beautiful property in Burringbar where we also have small cattle, dogs and chickens.
Counsellor (cert AHHCA), Equine Supported Learning and Personal Development practitioner (cert, Equine Psychotherapy Institute). Registered Teacher Grad.Dip.Ed), Cert. Steiner Teacher, B.Sc. (Zoology)
My passion for horses and other animals goes back for as long as I can remember. As I was growing up most of my spare time was devoted to being with them. Their presence invoked so much for me. Over the years I have continued to learn and grow through my connection with horses.
My interest in science and the environment led me to study the work of Rudolf Steiner and complete the Rudolf Steiner teacher training in 1996. I've worked in Steiner schools and mainstream education for 17 years in many areas including special needs, the arts and teacher training.
In 2014 I had the opportunity to train in Equine Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy (EAL/P) through the Equine Psychotherapy Institute. I studied counselling with Sophia College in 2018 and have worked as a counsellor from 2018 until the present time. My work with children, parents and the community continues in the area of EAL/P where I offer individual sessions or a series of tailored sessions over a period of weeks to adults, children and groups. Many of my clients are NDIS participants. I travel with my horses to Autism Camp Australia where we work with children on the autism spectrum to support their NDIS Learning Goals through Capacity Building, Psycho-education and Skills-development.
I collaborate with fellow practitioners to bring personal development training, team development and leadership development to groups, including schools, corporate groups, women's groups and children's groups.
My business is based on our beautiful property in Burringbar where we also have small cattle, dogs and chickens.
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Horses live in the present moment and respond authentically. They may or may not choose to do as we might want or wish for. They are free to be themselves and not harnessed for our purpose. This makes our work all the more satisfying and real.