Gold Coast training organisation celebrates 10 years of horses in mental health education
For the past decade, horses have been at the heart of a mental health training organisation tucked away among the trees in the Gold Coast’s Tallebudgera Valley.
Learning takes place beyond the traditional classroom, with counselling students and mental health clinicians working outside alongside horses.
Students learn how equine behaviour, basic neuroscience, trauma-informed theory and counselling and psychotherapy modalities are integrated to support people experiencing mental health challenges.
The organisation, Equine Assisted Therapy Australia (EATA), is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that specialises in counselling and equine-assisted mental health education.
It was established in 2016 by Gold Coast-based psychotherapist Jane Faulkner to address the need for high-quality, ethical and evidence-informed practitioner training.
Over the past 10 years, EATA has trained more than 300 equine-assisted mental health practitioners.
Next month, EATA will mark its 10-year milestone by hosting a national conference from September 21–23 at Selah Valley Estate in the Tweed Valley.
The two-and-a-half-day flagship event will bring together students, mental health professionals and equine enthusiasts from across Australia and internationally.
It will feature more than 20 presenters, panel discussions on working with veterans and neurodiverse communities in equine-assisted therapy and experiential workshops.
US psychologist and equine-assisted therapist Jenn Pagone will be the keynote speaker.
She will be joined by internationally renowned leaders in equine-assisted mental health, including trauma therapist Dr Rebecca Bailey and author and producer of The Horse Boy, Rupert Isaacson.
Founder of The Path of the Horse Dean Mighell, who is highly respected for his work supporting Australian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), will also present.
Further presentation topics include equine ethology and case studies on equine-assisted therapy programs that have helped victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence understand their trauma responses.
Ms Faulkner said the conference aims to bring together practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds, to learn and help strengthen the growing profession.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen a growing interest in high-quality training in the field of equine-assisted mental health.
As the profession continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever that practitioners have access to recognised training, opportunities to share knowledge and a strong professional community,” Ms Faulkner said.
Emerging research suggests equine-assisted mental health programs can support emotional awareness and regulation and reduce PTSD symptoms.
It also provides an alternative therapeutic environment for people who may find traditional room-based therapy difficult to engage with.
Ms Faulkner said horses work well as a mental health intervention because they are curious, they respond to us in the moment and, for some people, horses provide a safer way to be in a relationship than people do.
“Horses are incredibly sensitive to our body language, posture and breathing.
They give immediate feedback without judgement.
They don’t need you to talk, they don’t need you to perform – they meet you exactly where you are.
For people who have experienced anxiety, trauma or difficulty trusting others, it can make connection feel possible again.
It creates space to practise calm communication, boundaries and self-regulation in a way that feels natural and supportive,” she said.
The ongoing evolution of equine-assisted mental health will be explored in detail at EATA’s conference, with leading practitioners sharing emerging research and insights from their work in the field.
The conference is open to anyone with an interest in equine-assisted therapy – from students to experienced practitioners looking to deepen their knowledge and earn ACA Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) points.
It is expected to attract counsellors, psychologists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and equine professionals.
Tickets are now on sale.
For more information visit https://equineassistedtherapyaustralia.com.au/conference-information-pack/
Further details about the conference:
Equine Assisted Therapy Australia’s 10th anniversary conference will take place at Sēlah Valley Estate in the Tweed Valley, Northern NSW, from September 21 – 23, 2026.
The conference is open to students, practitioners, mental health professionals and anyone interested in the equine and mental health fields.
The conference is an Australian Counselling Association approved Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) event, with eligible attendees able to receive 12 OPD points.
Media contact:
Sarah Waters: 0411 377 531 Email: info@eata.net.au
Director and Founder of EATA, Jane Faulkner, is available for interviewson request
Equine Assisted Therapy Australia (EATA) is a Registered Training Organisation based on the Gold Coast in Queensland
It delivers a unique 19-month course that combines an ACA-accredited nationally recognised Diploma of Counselling with specialist training in equine-assisted mental health. Learn more about our specialist training here: https://equineassistedtherapyaustralia.com.au/diploma-of-counselling-specialising-in-eamh/
The organisation also offers postgraduate training for qualified mental health professionals wishing to integrate horses into their existing clinical practice. Learn more about our postgraduate course here: https://equineassistedtherapyaustralia.com.au/equine-assisted-mental-health-course/
Cohorts are run yearly in QLD, NSW, VIC and WA.
EATA has trained more than 300 practitioners since its inception.
Graduates operate professional equine-assisted mental health services across Australia, particularly in regional areas where traditional mental health support is limited.
About Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is as an umbrella term for various horse-related interventions, which includes equine-assisted mental health practice.
While the equine-assisted therapy industry remains unregulated in Australia, it continues to gain attention and respect from the broader mental health services community.
A growing body of research suggests equine-assisted interventions can be a beneficial complementary approach for people experiencing psychological trauma, especially if they have not responded well to conventional room-based therapy.
In ground-based equine-assisted therapy sessions, qualified professionals – such as counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists – work alongside a horse or a herd of horses to assist clients experiencing mental health challenges.
Clients are introduced to basic equine behaviour and body language to help them recognise how horses communicate.
Throughout the session, clients are encouraged to notice their own thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours as they arise in the presence of a horse.
Because horses are highly sensitive to their environment and communicate largely through body language, these interactions create opportunities for clients to observe the horse’s responses while reflecting on their own internal state.
With the support of a qualified practitioner, clients can develop greater emotional-awareness and explore strategies to manage the impacts of anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health-related challenges.
Equine Assisted Therapy Australia Founder and Director Jane Faulkner