What would it take to accept yourself in this very moment?

Perhaps that's a harder question to answer than it first appears.

Because so much of who we become is shaped by what we've learnt about being in relationship with others.

We learn when to speak and when to stay quiet. When to move closer and when to pull away. How to protect ourselves from rejection, disappointment or hurt.

And sometimes, we become so practiced at being who we think we need to be that we lose sight of who we are beneath it all.

These patterns don't simply disappear because we understand them.

Often, we need opportunities to experience something different.

Horses invite us into a relationship that doesn't rely on words. They respond to the world around them in ways that can help us become curious about our own responses, our boundaries, and the ways we approach connection.

There is no need to perform, to have the right answers, or to arrive knowing what you need.

Just an opportunity to slow down, notice what unfolds, and perhaps discover something about yourself that you hadn't quite seen before.

And sometimes, that's where change begins.

Gabby’s Approach: More Than Words

As a Clinical Psychologist and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Practitioner, my approach brings together an understanding of trauma, attachment, the nervous system, and the ways our earliest relationships can shape how we experience ourselves and others.

I'm trained in the Equine Psychotherapy Institute (EPI) Model, an integrative approach that draws on psychotherapy, attachment theory, somatic awareness, mindfulness and the relational experiences that can emerge when working alongside horses.

And perhaps what matters most isn't the model itself. It's how we use the experience to better understand you.

Our work together isn't about teaching you to be calmer, more confident, or less sensitive. Nor is it about asking you to change the parts of yourself that have helped you navigate difficult experiences.

Instead, we begin with curiosity.

We might notice what happens when a horse moves towards you, or when it chooses to move away. What it feels like to set a boundary, to ask for something, or to sit with uncertainty. We might explore the urge to please, to withdraw, to take responsibility, or to anticipate what might happen next.

Not because a horse's behaviour tells us something definitive about you, but because your experience of the interaction may offer something meaningful to explore.

There is no right way to respond, and nothing you need to get right.

Together, we make space for what emerges, bringing understanding and compassion to the ways you've learned to move through the world.

And perhaps, over time, discover that there are other ways of being, too.

Regulate. Relate. Reason.

Our nervous systems are constantly responding to the world around us.

Long before we consciously make sense of an experience, we may notice something shifting in our bodies. A tightening in the chest. An urge to move away. The feeling of needing to do something, say something, or make things right.

These responses are not random. They are often shaped by what we've experienced, what we've learnt to anticipate, and the ways we've adapted to feel safe.

Within Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, we may explore three interconnected experiences:

Regulate: Learning to notice and respond to what happens within us.

Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings, we begin to develop an awareness of our nervous system, recognising when we're becoming overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsettled, and exploring what helps us feel more grounded and supported.

Relate: Exploring how we experience connection.

Our interactions with horses can offer opportunities to notice how we approach relationships, respond to boundaries, navigate uncertainty, and experience closeness or distance.

These moments can become invitations to explore the relational patterns we've learned, with curiosity rather than judgement.

Reason: Making meaning of our experiences.

Together, we can begin to make sense of what we've noticed, connecting these experiences with our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and the ways we've learned to navigate the world.

These aren't three steps we need to move through in a particular order.

Sometimes we find understanding through connection. Sometimes greater awareness helps us feel more settled. And sometimes, an experience offers something meaningful long before we have the words to explain it.

There is room for all of it.

Meet the therapy herd

Nestled in the Perth Hills, sessions take place on my private property in Mount Helena, surrounded by open paddocks, fresh air, and the gentle rhythm of life with horses.

Here, you'll meet Peanut and Troy.

Peanut is our beautiful chestnut Thoroughbred, whose slower pace and gentle nature remind us that there's no need to hurry. Sometimes, simply being alongside another living being is enough.

Troy is the newest member of our herd. A tall, experienced Thoroughbred with a history in eventing, he's now enjoying a quieter chapter of life. He's still finding his place here, and we're looking forward to getting to know him in this new role.

Every horse has their own personality, preferences and boundaries. They aren't trained to respond to us in a particular way, and that's part of what makes working alongside them so interesting.

There are no expectations to ride, lead, or even touch the horses.

Sometimes we interact. Sometimes we observe. And sometimes, we simply share the same space.

Whatever unfolds, we approach it with curiosity, respect, and an understanding that both people and horses deserve the freedom to be themselves.

A different way to begin.

You don't need to know exactly what you're looking for, or have the words to explain what you've been carrying.

Sometimes, curiosity is enough.

Whether you're beginning therapy for the first time, returning after some time away, or looking for a different way to explore your experiences, you're welcome here.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are currently available on Tuesdays at my private property in Mount Helena, in the Perth Hills.

I'd be honoured to share this space with you.

FAQs

Whenever you’re ready.

We’re here to help you take the next step.