Elle Petersen's equine therapy business began with a love of horses, and a passion to help others.
Now the counsellor has established her own dedicated facility to help clients open up — with the help of some equine confidants.
Having previously operated on a mobile basis, visiting schools, nursing homes, and hospitals, the new Beyond Words facility is tucked amongst lush paddocks in Naracoorte.
"It was really important to me to offer a rural setting for people," said Ms Petersen.
"I think that's part of the therapy is coming out here, being relaxed, being away from things, it's not very clinical at all."
Equine therapy comes under the umbrella of animal-assisted counselling. Clients interact with one of six equine facilitators under the watch of Ms Petersen and her team, who provide traditional counselling alongside.
Ms Petersen said she noticed a threefold impact on her clientele after she became qualified in Melbourne and began offering the service.
"Sometimes we share our biggest secrets in the dark, or perhaps on a long car drive, when we are not face to face," she said.
"They also really help with self-esteem and confidence ... They've chosen to be with you, because we don't force them to go out here, and [that] makes a really big difference to people."
In a 2018 joint submission by the Australian Mental Health Commissions, it was found the issue of mental health access to those living in regional and remote areas of Australia needed immediate attention.
Mental health related prescriptions were issued to 4.4 million people in 2019 to 2020.
Ms Petersen says Beyond Words has steadily gained clientele with a range of needs but has noticed the COVID-19 pandemic has created a greater need for both emotional and physical support.
"There's a condition called touch deprivation. Our psyche craves that ... even if it's with an animal," Ms Petersen explained.
"In therapy… we don't hug or touch clients, but here they can touch and hug the horses as much as they want and get that need."
Mandy* says equine therapy has made a world of difference to her daughter, who suffers from anxiety.
"When you have opportunities like this, where she just excels in herself, and is true to herself ... it's priceless," Mandy said.
"It's just so nice watching her embrace something, because she does have an intellectual disability, as well, so school is really hard,"
"When we have a lesson… it's great. It's a calm day, and then afterwards she's always really happy.
"She's really herself when she is around horses."
* Last name excluded for privacy
Editor's note 14/10/2022: This story has been amended to clarify Elle Petersen's role.
