Psychotherapy is a collaborative process between a trained therapist and an individual seeking support for emotional, psychological, or relational challenges. The therapeutic environment provides a safe, confidential space for exploration and healing, which is essential for effective outcomes. Equine assisted PsychotherapyEquine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a therapeutic approach that incorporates horses into the treatment process to support emotional, mental, and behavioral health. This form of therapy is based on the idea that interactions with horses can facilitate personal growth, enhance self-awareness, and improve interpersonal skills.

During EAP sessions, clients engage in various activities with horses under the guidance of licensed mental health professionals and certified equine specialists. These activities may include grooming, leading, feeding, or simply spending time with the horse. The presence of the horse often serves to create an opportunity for clients to explore and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

One of the significant aspects of EAP is the emphasis on the non-verbal communication and body language that both the horse and the client exhibit. Horses are highly intuitive animals; they respond to human emotions and behaviors, which can provide valuable feedback for clients. This immediate interaction helps clients to become more aware of their feelings and behaviors in real-time, fostering deeper self-reflection.

EAP has been found to be particularly effective for individuals facing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use disorders. The approach encourages the development of trust, responsibility, and empathy, as the client learns to connect with the horse and understand the dynamics of their relationship. Overall, EAP offers a unique and impactful way to engage with therapeutic concepts and foster healing through the bond between horse and human.

The process of psychotherapy typically begins with an assessment phase, where the therapist gathers information about the individual's background, current struggles, . This initial understanding helps establish a foundation for future sessions and builds rapport between the therapist and client.

During therapy, various techniques and approaches may be utilized, depending on the client's needs and preferences. Common modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which emphasizes emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness; and psychodynamic therapy, which explores unconscious processes and past experiences that influence current behavior.

As the therapeutic relationship develops, clients may begin to process past traumas, identify unhelpful coping mechanisms, and gain insight into their emotions and actions. This exploration can lead to increased self-awareness, allowing individuals to recognize the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their distress.

One of the key aspects of psychotherapy is the regulation of emotions. Clients learn to understand and manage their feelings more effectively, leading to improved emotional resilience. Techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises may be introduced to help clients stay grounded in the present moment and reduce anxiety.

Additionally, psychotherapy can facilitate healing through emotional validation. Clients often experience symptoms of shame, guilt, or isolation related to their struggles. The therapist’s role in providing a non-judgmental and empathetic perspective can foster a sense of belonging and acceptance, which is crucial for healing.

By working through challenges in therapy, clients gradually build coping skills and develop healthier relationships. The process encourages them to articulate their needs, set boundaries, and engage in self-care practices. As clients make progress, they often report an increased sense of empowerment and agency in their lives.

Ultimately, psychotherapy is a transformative process that can lead to profound changes in a person's emotional and psychological landscape. While the journey may be complex and sometimes challenging, the rewards of personal growth, improved mental health, and a deeper understanding of oneself can be significant. Through psychotherapy, individuals can find healing and discover new ways to navigate life's difficulties.

Whole-Being Approach

What is Gestalt Psychotherapy?

Gestalt Psychotherapy is a holistic and existential/experiential form of Psychotherapy that focuses on your experience in the present moment, allowing for awareness of self, others, and the way you interact with your environment.

It’s an embodied, co-regulating, and relational therapy that is an integrated and effective approach to working with trauma, relationships, and other presentations.

Gestalt is a non-pathologizing and humanistic modality that pays regard to a person in their wider field. It utilizes the body in the present moment to process any unfinished traumas, emotions, and narratives that may be hindering your life.

Gestalt is also a phenomenological therapy that supports the experience of differentiation within the body and the edges of relating, as well as supporting current neurobiological research.

Works of Interest and Specialisations

• Trauma - birth, relational, PTSD, complex trauma

• Nervous system regulation (embodied and somatic work)

• Pre-conception, pregnancy, and post-natal depression

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Grief

• Addictions

• Eating disorders

• Couple’s therapy

• Family therapy

• Family Constellations

• Dreamwork

• Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

• Plant medicine integration**

  **Supporting individuals and couples who have co-created a relationship with Psilocybin, Ayahuasca, Wachuma, or any other psychoactive medicine for integration of your experience.

  **Being an integrative model, Gestalt greatly supports this type of deeper work by looking at the relational aspects of self and how this interacts with the relational field. This is highly supportive for plant medicine integration.

How can Gestalt Psychotherapy support you?

Gestalt Psychotherapy is unique to you and relationally-centred. It’s an incredibly powerful way of accessing the present moment and how patterns play out in the moment on a micro and macro level.

By accessing these awarenesses of the present moment, you’re able to identify how these patterns rupture relationships or life situations so you can make necessary changes.

Gestalt supports you to come into contact with your authenticity and presence whilst also teaching you to regulate your nervous system individually and through relationships.

It also supports you to become clear on what’s needed in your life to feel a sense of freedom, vitality, and spaciousness and also encourages connected relationships with life and others.

The relational and embodied foundations of Gestalt underpin the therapy sessions to explore and enquire in a safe and well-held space.

How many sessions will you need?

This is individual for everyone and will often be contracted at the beginning of the sessions together.

It will depend on your presentation and support or lack thereof in your outside world, what resources are available, and financial circumstances.

Trauma presentations usually need more time and space, and the ongoing relationship for longlasting and sustainable changes.

Costs of Therapy

                                     Initial Therapy Session - $160 (75 minutes)

                               All Following Individual Sessions - $140 (60 minutes)

                                    Initial Couple Sessions - $230 (90 minutes)

                                All Following Couples Sessions - $200 (60 minutes)

                                    Family Constellation Sessions - $200 (2 hours)

                                   Equine Assisted Psychotherapy - $160 (60 minutes)

Please note: A 24-hour cancellation fee is incurred if your session is cancelled suddenly, unless in the case of an illness, illness of a child, or an emergency.

I offer discounts to Indigenous Australians, single mothers, and those impacted financially by a chronic illness. Please email me at hello@kateschubert.com.au if this is you.

Location of Therapy Sessions

IN-PERSON CLINIC

Mullumbimby, Northern Rivers NSW

ONLINE

Zoom sessions