Gabby’s Approach: The EPI Model

Gabby is trained in the Equine Psychotherapy Institute (EPI) Model — a trauma-informed, developmentally-sensitive, neuroscience-based approach that integrates:

  • Psychotherapy and counselling theory

  • Somatic (body-based) and mindfulness practices

  • Attachment and relational frameworks

  • Horse wisdom: using the natural instincts of horses to teach awareness, authenticity, boundaries, and emotional presence

This approach supports healing from the inside out, starting with the nervous system and gently building towards insight, self-understanding, and growth.

“Trauma, at its core, corrupts the brain and the body. It can impact your relationships, your stress response and, if it occurred early in life, how the brain develops. Equine assisted psychotherapy offers a reparative experience: a way back to safety, connection and wholeness.”
— Gabby Goodier
 
 

The 3 R’s of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: Regulate, Relate, Reason

In sessions, you’ll learn to:

• Regulate your nervous system: track how your body feels, notice patterns, and return to a sense of calm
• Relate to yourself and others: experience safe, supportive, non-verbal connection
• Reason understand your internal world, reflect on your patterns, and build resilience

These are just some of the practices you may explore:

  • Nervous System Tracking – Learn to recognise states like fight/flight, freeze, and safety through body cues

  • Resourcing – Build your toolbox of calming and grounding strategies

  • Outbreath + Let Down – Use the “let down” breath to soothe the nervous system

  • Grounding + Orienting – Connect with your environment through the five senses

  • Relational Safety with Horses – Let the horses co-regulate with you, offering a calm, accepting presence that promotes nervous system healing

FUN FACT: this safe experience with the horses often triggers the neurotransmitter oxytocin (aka the love hormone) that promotes safety in intimacy

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FUN FACT: this safe experience with the horses often triggers the neurotransmitter oxytocin (aka the love hormone) that promotes safety in intimacy 〰️

Meet the therapy herd

Sessions take place on Gabby’s private property in the Perth Hills, where you’ll meet her four therapy horses:
Neville, Roger, Richie and Peanut — each with their own personalities, wisdom, and warmth.

Together, they help create a space where you can slow down, feel safe, and gently uncover what’s been waiting to be seen.

If you’re ready to explore this transformative path, I’d be honoured to walk alongside you.

 
 

FAQs

  • Sessions are 60-75 minutes long, and are held in or outside the paddocks, or in Gabby’s office, at her property in the Perth Hills.

  • Sessions cost $350 (you may be entitled to claim a rebate through Medicare or your private health fund). If you are interested in the 7 week Horse Wisdom Programme, please send our amazing team an email (hello@thesagesociety.co).


  • Yes, we are able to provide sessions for people that are self-managed or plan managed through NDIS.

  • If you are interested in an intensive period of EMDR treatment and EAP sessions with Gabby, please get in contact and we can create a personal plan for you.

    This is something that Gabby also offers to equestrians who are wanting to break through any mental barriers with competition or to develop a closer bond with their horse.

  • Currently, all sessions are with Gabby, a highly experienced Clinical Psychologist and her 4 therapy horses, Neville, Roger, Richie and Peanut. Discover more about Gabby on the 'about' page.

  • Absolutely not! No prior experience with horses is required. Gabby will ensure that you feel safe and comfortable with the horses, regardless of your prior experience.

  • If you're wanting to work with your horse and Gabby, this absolutely something we can accommodate. Please contact our friendly team to chat more (hello@thesagesociety.co).

  • This is something that is currently in the works and will be individually tailored to create the most supportive, nourishing and healing experience for you. If this is something you are interested in, please email our amazing team (hello@thesagesociety.co).

  • We LOVE questions. Feel free to email our amazing team and we'll do our absolute best to answer them for you (hello@thesagesociety.co).