Steph is a devoted animal lover, wife and mother to two beautiful little girls, and is passionate about helping others on their journey to self-discovery and healing with the assistance of animals. She has a bachelor in Psychological studies and has also completed her Masters in Counselling for both Children and Adults. She is a fully registered Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association. She has also completed the intensive course at the Equine Psychotherapy Institute in Daylesford with Meg Kirby, where she trained to become an Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. Steph is now a supervisor with the Equine Psychotherapy Institute supporting other practitioners. Steph continues her education to become an advanced practitioner and has excitingly begun her education to become a Somatic Experiencing trauma therapist and is in her third and final year of training.
Steph's own journey began as a teenager as she began to deal with repressed trauma, which resulted in anxiety and an eating disorder in her teenage years. Her personal experience, coupled with a lifelong connection to horses, has deeply informed her practice. Recognizing the profound impact horses had on her own mental health, Steph developed a holistic approach to therapy that integrates equine-assisted techniques. She believes in creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can reconnect with themselves, process past traumas, or simply find presence in the moment.
Steph works collaboratively with a diverse range of animals, including horses, dogs, goats, and an alpaca, to facilitate healing and personal growth.
Meet Steph and the animals and learn about equine assisted therapy
Show them this video to help calm any nerves about what to expect.
"I highly recommend Melbourne Equine Assisted counselling to anyone needing personal growth. Anyone struggling with issues should contact Steph. This is a safe place, steph and the horses helped me so much, such a positive, beautiful experience." Renee
"A traumatic experience left me feeling very anxious, fearful and emotionally unstable. Making contact with Steph was the best decision I have ever made. Her style of support is empowering, insightful and therapeutic. Through participating in her session I learned how to make deeper connections with the environment and my surroundings, my inner feelings and emotions and how to accept my fears. By working with Steph and her horses Mermaid and Grasshopper I learned to acknowledge and accept any sense of anxiety present and not run away from it. I really appreciate your ability to listen intently and thankful for the skills and strategies that I was able to take away from my session with Steph and her animals to control the whirlwind that was going through my mind. I highly recommend the services Steph has to offer." Alicia