FAQ

Location for Equine Assisted Therapy (EAP)

Set in an idyllic location in the Gold Coast Hinterland of Beechmont, at The Wagon Stop Wellness Farm, 1320, Beechmont Road, Beechmont 4211, which is a 30-minute drive from Nerang. There is parking on-site and toilet facilities. Please refer to The Wagon Stop Site for further information about facilities. About | The Wagon Stop

Why Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

For anyone looking for an alternative to room-based therapy, Equine Assisted Therapy provides an opportunity to explore therapeutic goals in the presence of horses.

Being in the presence of horses has been found to have profound psychological benefits for humans. Horses, as prey animals, have highly evolved senses, their ability to read body language, and sense slight physiological changes within humans and other horses means they can often mirror the true experience of those around them, providing a unique opportunity to experience authentic contact free of judgment or filters.  This experience also means that horses can provide immediate feedback which can facilitate increased self-awareness.

Other benefits are:

• Bringing a horse’s presence to a therapeutic or learning environment can provide support, regulation, a new perspective, and increased self-awareness, as horses live in a state of full-bodied awareness.

• Horses are also fantastic models of what it is to be grounded, using their feelings as information, expressing emotions, and returning to a regulated state.  

• Horses are able to offer an acceptance that is different from human interaction.

• Horses are herd animals who live in complex social environments and are in constant communication with each other, they seek leaders and encourage us to develop qualities such as calmness, awareness, confidence, compassion, acceptance, and connection.

At Healing Herd Therapies we incorporate a trauma-informed approach and can help to increase awareness of emotions and behaviours that are no longer serving you. 

Location of counselling session

Room-based counselling sessions are currently available every second Wednesday in Southport. Therapy in the paddock or in nature is another option on a Saturday if room-based counselling is too clinical. This service is offered at Beechmont at The Wagon Stop Wellness Farm, About | The Wagon Stop 1320, Beechmont Road, Beechmont 4211

Telehealth

Telehealth is delivered via Zoom. A link will be sent prior to your appointment. Or Phone if you prefer.

What to wear to an EAP session or Therapy in the paddock

• To be able to participate in any horse activities or therapy in the paddock you must wear closed-in shoes – joggers/sneakers or boots.
• Light, comfortable clothing.
• A lightweight jacket, warm clothing, or raincoat depending on the weather

What to bring to an EAP or Therapy in the Paddock session

• For insurance purposes, you will need to complete a “Participation Agreement and Wavier”.
• Hat and sunscreen
• Drink bottle

How do I book a session?

Please feel free to phone or email me to discuss any queries you may have regarding Counselling, Equine Assisted Therapy, or TCTSY if you would like to book an appointment. My contact details are mobile: 0421884898 or email me at: hello@healingherdtherapies.com .   Due to the nature of the work, I may not be able to answer your call but leave a message, and I will get back to you as soon as possible or submit an online enquiry form on this website.   

What does a session cost?

A mental health treatment plan lets you claim up to 10 sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year.

To start with, your doctor will refer you for up to 6 sessions at a time. If you need more, they can refer you for further sessions. You and your GP can work together to decide whether you or your child are eligible for this type of plan.

If you do not wish to or are unable to obtain, a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) but still wish to obtain support from Healing Herd Therapies, fees are outlined below for sessions. However, if this is out of your budget, please phone to discuss your level of affordability

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Therapy in the paddock: $200.00 – Gap fee of $117.70 after Medicare rebate ($82.30)

Counselling session: $180.00 – Gap fee of $97.70 after Medicare rebate ($82.30)

Fees for organisations, insurance companies, and Third-Party payment organisations are based on the current and recommended fees as set out by work cover Qld, victims assist Qld, and NDIS.

Are rebates available?

Please note that if you are under a Medicare MHCP, a VALID referral is required before you can claim benefits. Without a valid referral, you will not be able to claim any benefits for that session. 

Valid referrals must be:

1. Addressed to: Andrea Mills;
2. State the mental health condition for which you are seeking psychological treatment (i.e. depression and/or anxiety etc. - NOT Equine Assisted Therapy if you want to access EAP through MHCP); and,
3. State the number of sessions needed.

You may also be entitled to Private Health Rebates.  You will need to check with your Private Health Fund as to the amount they may rebate and the number of sessions you are entitled to.  

I can also accommodate those Individuals who fall under the self-managed and plan-managed category of the NDIS.

Healing Herd currently accepts payments

Payments are accepted via direct deposit/ bank transfer and cash (correct amount only).

Cancellation Policy

When you make an appointment the whole appointment time is reserved for you. If you need to cancel or postpone an appointment we require at least 24 hours notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will incur 100% charge. This fee is not claimable through Medicare, Third Party Provider or your private health fund. In the unlikely event that this fee is not paid, we reserve the right to utilise a debit collection service to recoup the funds. NDIS participants, we ask that you kindly give us at least 48 hours' notice via email or telephone for appointment cancellations and reschedules. Short–notice cancellations (less than 2 business days notice) and no-shows will result in a cancellation fee of 100% charged against the NDIS Plan and invoiced).

Where Healing Herd Therapies needs to cancel or reschedule sessions due to weather, illness, or other operational reasons, Healing Herd Therapies will reschedule at no penalty to either party and will endeavor to give the maximum amount of notice time possible