EquiHuman Mental Health
1625 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington VIC 3222
- Clinic
About EquiHuman Mental Health
EquiHuman Mental Health is passionate about mental health and strives to bring horses and people together to support awareness development, positive change, and personal growth towards rewarding and fulfilling lives. Situated at the heart of the Bellarine Peninsula, they offer Equine Assisted Therapy Services at Wallington Park Equestrian Centre, committed to delivering high quality therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults through experiential learning opportunities.
What's offered
Clinic sessions
Services provided
EquiHuman Mental Health lists
- Individual Sessions
- Personalised sessions tailored to meet individual needs, therapeutic and learning goals for children 5 years and above, adolescents and adults. Sessions support mental health presentations, everyday life challenges and life skill development including anxiety, mood disorders, autism, ADHD, trauma, and other conditions.
- Sibling Sessions
- Sessions aimed at strengthening and building healthy family relationships and connections by improving communication, increasing awareness of perspectives, and exchanging emotional support.
- Group Sessions
- Sessions created to meet group needs for personal growth, personal development and professional development, supporting social and emotional intelligence skills, leadership skills, and team building.
- Horse Wisdom Program
- A 7-session social-emotional skills building program delivered to individuals or groups, developmentally designed for all persons across the lifespan. Each session explores different topics including regulation, awareness, boundaries, relationships, thinking, feelings, and facing life's challenges.
Get to know EquiHuman Mental Health
From EquiHuman Mental Health's website.
Our approach
EquiHuman Mental Health adopts a person-centred, trauma-informed approach that harnesses the therapeutic relationship between horse, client, and practitioner. Sessions are tailored to individual needs and incorporate evidence-based practices including Gestalt therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness techniques rooted in neuroscience and somatic experiencing. Participants engage with horses through observation, grooming, leading, and where appropriate, mounted riding experiences, all designed to support self-discovery, learning and personal growth. The service recognises that connection, trust, attunement and safety are core human needs, and works in partnership with clients and their families to develop personalised therapeutic goals in a welcoming, compassionate and respectful space.
Working with families
Rachael communicates closely with parents from the initial intake interview onwards, taking time to understand the child and family goals. She explains how therapy supports emotional regulation and skill development, and regularly follows up with written feedback on sessions and progress. The service works collaboratively with families and significant others, and emphasises a person-centred approach that values and honours the whole person and their unique circumstances throughout the therapeutic journey.
Meet the team
Rachael Paterson is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology), Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing Practice, and accreditation as an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Practitioner through the Equine Psychotherapy Institute of Australia. She brings several years of experience working within the public mental health field, including extensive involvement in acute mental health settings where she supported individuals and families through anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment issues and other complex mental health presentations. She is committed to ongoing professional development to ensure contemporary, best-practice service delivery.
Your first visit
At the initial appointment, Rachael takes time to talk with parents to understand the child and the goals hoped to be achieved through therapy. She spends time building rapport with the child during initial sessions and explains how the therapy can assist with emotional regulation, anxiety and social skills. This foundational phase establishes safety and trust, allowing the child to engage with the horses and begin their therapeutic journey in a non-judgemental environment tailored to their individual needs.
Locations & areas served
Wallington
1625 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington VIC 3222
Get directions to Wallington (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Opening hours
- Mon–Fri
- 9 AM to 6 PM
- Sat–Sun
- Closed
Not sure where to start?
Answer a few questions about your child and we will help connect you with providers that suit your needs and your funding.