Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine-assisted psychotherapy offers a trauma-informed, experiential approach to healing that supports emotional regulation, insight, and nervous system safety. Sessions take place on the ground with horses and are guided by a qualified psychotherapist, integrating evidence-based therapeutic practice with the unique relational feedback horses provide. This modality is particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, identity work, and reconnection with self.
Gestalt-informed equine-assisted therapy integrates traditional psychotherapy with experiential work alongside horses, using the therapeutic relationship and the horse–human interaction to support awareness, insight, and change. Horses naturally respond to presence, emotion, and behaviour in the moment, offering immediate, non-judgemental feedback that can illuminate patterns, boundaries, and relational dynamics. Sessions remain grounded in conversation and reflection, while the experiential nature of working with horses supports embodied awareness, regulation, and integration in a gentle, trauma-informed way.
The horses meet people exactly where they are, without judgement, expectation, or pressure.
There is no riding involved and you do not need any horse skills.
Telehealth Therapy (Phone & Video)
Telehealth therapy provides accessible, confidential counselling via phone or secure video, allowing you to engage in therapy from the comfort of your own space. Sessions are grounded in evidence-based practice and tailored to your individual needs, offering continuity of care for clients who prefer remote support or require flexible scheduling.
Gestalt therapy is a relational and experiential approach that focuses on what is happening in the present moment, while gently exploring how past experiences continue to shape current patterns, relationships, and choices. In Telehealth sessions, Gestalt therapy supports meaningful conversation, awareness, and reflection through a strong therapeutic relationship, even when working remotely. Sessions are collaborative and responsive, helping clients notice thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and relational patterns as they arise, and supporting practical, sustainable change within everyday life.
You don’t need to be ‘okay’ to show up, you just need a safe place to begin.
After hours and weekend times are available.
Room-Based & Nature-Based Therapy
Room-based and nature-based therapy combine traditional psychotherapy with the grounding benefits of calm, supportive environments. Sessions may take place in the therapy room or outdoors, drawing on nature to support regulation, reflection, and embodied awareness. This approach is well suited to clients seeking a gentle, practical, and trauma-informed therapeutic experience.
Gestalt therapy is an experiential, relational approach that emphasises awareness, choice, and responsibility within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. In room-based and nature-based sessions, Gestalt therapy may include conversation, reflection, and gentle experiments that support insight and integration. The environment is used intentionally to support regulation, embodiment, and awareness, allowing clients to explore patterns, emotions, and ways of being in a grounded, practical, and trauma-informed way.
Healing happens through conversation. awareness, and experiment, within a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship.
About Sammie
I am a PACFA-registered psychotherapist with a Master’s degree in Gestalt Therapy and over 26 years’ experience working across the community and mental health sector. My background spans NGOs, government services, charitable organisations, and telehealth, supporting adults, children, families, and complex client presentations.
For the past nine years, I have specialised in equine-assisted psychotherapy, integrating the wisdom of horses with evidence-based therapeutic practice. Alongside this, I offer room-based counselling, nature-based therapy, and telehealth sessions, allowing clients to engage in ways that feel safest and most accessible for them.
Trauma is a central thread in my work. I bring both extensive professional experience and lived understanding of trauma, which informs a deeply respectful, non-pathologising approach. I work relationally and collaboratively, believing that healing unfolds when people are met with attunement, honesty, and choice.
My work is grounded in Gestalt therapy, a relational and experiential approach that values awareness, presence, and the therapeutic relationship. I work collaboratively, using thoughtful conversation and experimentation to support insight, choice, and meaningful change.
My work focuses on trauma and relational healing, supporting people experiencing burnout, chronic stress, and complex life histories, particularly those who feel stuck or have not felt helped before.
Healing does not require fixing, it requires safety, presence and respect.
Get in Touch
Reaching out can feel like a big step. I aim to make first contact simple, respectful, and pressure-free. You’re welcome to contact me to ask questions, explore options, or discuss whether this feels like the right fit.