0421 662 174 - to book equine assisted psychotherapy
0421 662 174 - to book equine assisted psychotherapy
Psychiatrist for children, adolescents, families and adults
EAGALA certified Mental Health Expert for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
AAPT level 1
Dr Anja is a Psychiatrist trained in child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as general adult psychiatry. She has extensive experience and a special interest in treating trauma.
Dr Anja is also trained and certified to use the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. She has completed part I and part II as well as the advanced EAGALA training and the Skillset training. She attended two EAGALA Pacific conferences in 2012 and 2013. In the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy team Dr Anja holds the role of Mental Health Expert leading the psychotherapeutic intervention.
Dr Anja has additionally attended level 1 training in AAPT (Animal Assisted Play Therapy).
Dr Anja holds current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA - formerly Medical Board).
Dr Anja has been working in psychiatry since 1997 across Australia and specialised in child and youth psychiatry in 2004.
Her work experience includes working for Qld Health in a specialised team treating traumatised children and adolescents in foster care. For this role Dr Anja engaged in extensive professional development in treatment of childhood trauma. She has also worked at community mental health clinics in Qld and formerly in NT working with children and adolescents as well as adults. She has also participated in outreach to remote indigenous communities and mining towns.
Since 2014 Dr Anja has been in private practice to focused on animal assisted therapies by working with Romeo, a trained therapy dog in her private practice in Brisbane as well as providing equine assisted psychotherapy in Samford on Brisbane's north side and providing psychiatric care and EAP at The Banyans Health & Wellness Retreat and Rehabilitation.
Dr Anja left the Public Service to specialise in animal assisted therapies and also works with therapy dog Romeo in her office.
Dr Anja has presented and given workshops on animal assisted therapies, and especially on equine assisted therapies for mental health at numerous conferences.
Dr Anja has been fascinated by horses all her life and has been riding for over 20 years. She has owned horses since 1995. She has competed in endurance riding in the past, but now enjoys leisurely trail rides. Dr Anja is delighted to specialise in equine assisted psychotherapy, thereby combining her passion for horses with her profession as a psychiatrist.
Dr Anja is also available for private in-room psychiatric consultations at NCYP Please call 07 3106 5447 to arrange an appointment.
Address:
NCYP - (click link)
Strathlink
Unit 15, 27 South Pine Road
Brendale 4500
(next to the Strathpine train station)
Marian is trained and certified to use the EAGALA model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy both as a Mental Health Practitioner and Equine Specialist. Marian is also trained in the ARCH model and narrative therapy via storyttelling.
Marian has over 10 years Allied Health experience in the Community Not for Profit Sector which include roles in leadership and practice management. Marian utilises a variety of evidence based Social Work therapeutic practice models including Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused, Person Centred, Strengths Based and Trauma Aware to support clients to improve psychological symptoms effectively. Marian has a background in Psychology and Youth Work and has worked in counselling and case management roles in the youth sector. Marian is also an accredited Circle of Security practitioner and Clinical Counselling Supervisor.
Marian is a warm and empathetic person, aiming to offer a safe space for clients to explore preferred stories of hope and change whilst valuing the unique experience of each individual. Marian focuses on empowering clients to identify their strengths and capacities to assist clients to achieve their goals.
Horses have been in Marian’s life since childhood. Marian has been involved in Pony Club Qld and Riding for the Disabled. Through her involvement in both these areas, Marian witnessed the powerful change that horses can offer humans. Once Marian came across the EAGALA model, she knew that Equine Assisted Psychotherapy could harness both her passions of supporting clients to overcome psychological challenges and working alongside horses. Marian obtained her full EAGALA certification in 2015 and has subsequently completed the renewal fundamentals course in 2017, 2018 and in 2019 was accredited as a dual practitioner holding both Mental Health and Equine Specialist accreditation.
Having initially trained as a Veterinary Surgeon, Mandy has long observed the unique relationships that develop between people and animals. Using the EAGALA model and ARCH, the team of a mental health professional and Mandy together guide each client’s session with the horses.
These frequently rich interactions can help people to find new perspectives on their lives, which can help them to reach their best potential.
Having completed EAGALA certification in 2015, Mandy has worked with a variety of mental health professionals and clients. With individual clients, families or groups, in indoor or outdoor settings, with big and little horses, the horses always offer us an authentic perspective on whatever comes into the session.
Equine Specialist Kath Evans joined our EAP team in 2019. Kath recalls her life-long love for horses began well before she ever was lucky enough to own her first horse. Attending Pony Club in the 1970’s was a dream-come-true. Since then she’s had several trail horses and was fortunate to be sponsored in the sport of Endurance Riding in the 1990’s.
Juggling a busy full-time career was always challenging, but after recently retiring from nursing, Kath has been able to invest more time pursuing her equine passion. She now rides and competes regularly at Samford Equestrian Group (SEG), where she volunteers on the committee. An insatiable quest for equine knowledge and skills led her to immerse herself in relevant literature and attend numerous clinics and education opportunities, both locally and interstate. Kath continues to seek ongoing learning and is currently studying EA (Equestrian Australia) Coaching.
Kath is modest about her innate ability to teach animals tricks, especially horses. She finds this builds confidence and enhances the relationship – plus an added fun factor! With a strong understanding of equine behaviour and utilising gentle groundwork, Kath finds helping others with their horsemanship communication is immensely rewarding. Most recently, she’s conducted a number of demonstrations and hands-on opportunities for several non-profit organisations using her entertaining troupe of clever ‘liberty’ miniature horses - aka ‘Mini All-Stars.’
Kath recognises her equine relationships have been a continual strength throughout life’s challenges. Since first hearing about ‘Equine Therapy’ work, she felt drawn to the modality. She promptly jumped at the opportunity to attend a 5-day residential ‘Equine Assisted Therapy’ (EAP) course in 2015, where she witnessed first-hand the amazing transformative power of EAP for Veterans struggling with mental health, particularly PTSD. Kath is excited about the rapid global growth of Equine Therapies and the positive future for horses and people.
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