I have a passion for lifestyle medicine and the connection between brain and body. Lifestyle medicine considers the whole person and focuses on health rather than disease.
It looks at systems that affect health such as physical activity, stress management, social support and environmental factors and uses lifestyle changes to prevent, treat and reverse chronic disease.
I have been working as a physiotherapist for over 30 years with the majority of this in the area of women's / pelvic health. A particular interest is working with women experiencing mid life challenges during and after menopause and supporting women following birth trauma.
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In the last few years I have completed a Diploma in Counselling and certification in Equine Assisted Therapy.
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Paddock based sessions work alongside the herd in a trauma informed evidence based approach
Last year I returned to studying and commenced a PhD researching the impacts of menopause in the workplace.​​
​I am registered with Allied Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and a member of the following associations -
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Member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists - Continence & Women's Health Physiotherapist
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Pelvic Pain Foundation
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Equine Psychotherapy Institute
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Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine
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International Institute For Complementary Therapists
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Continence Foundation Australia.
Usually the initial session involves providing some space to hear your story / history as appropriate as well as to establish what your goals are for therapy. This session may be done via telehealth and evenings / Saturday appointments are available for this session if required otherwise it would be at the paddock on clinic days.
Subsequent sessions are available at the paddock on Wednesday, Thursday or Fridays.
Sessions are all individualised according to each clients particular goals.
It may involve building a safe relationship between the client, therapist and horse or herd as appropriate or increasing personal resources such as relaxation, grounding skills, breath work.
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Often sessions involve focusing on the here and now, being in the present moment and increasing self awareness. From this base and with the support of nature or the horses we can then explore self, feelings or emotions such as pain, anxiety, stress etc depending on your particular therapeutic goals. Learning about pain may also be included as this can change your pain. Working outside in nature or with the herd provides a space for clients to try out new ways of being and get curious about new possibilities / options.
ABOUT EQUINE SUPPORTED THERAPY
