Meet Kirsten
Equine Assisted Therapy Facilitator
Kirsten Miller is a practitioner of Natural Horsemanship (think Horse Whisperer), the founder of Garron Rise Equine Assisted Therapy, and is an experienced facilitator who has been building her knowledge of horses, people and their behaviours for over 30 years.
Kirsten began utilising her skills in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy in 2014, helping young offenders and returned soldiers manage their reintegration into society. Kirsten consults with individuals and groups, using on-the-ground therapy to foster connections between troubled humans and her highly sensitive animals.
Horses will reflect what a participant is feeling and by interpreting her horses' behaviours and reactions, Kirsten helps her clients understand their own emotional needs and triggers.
Why Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine-Assisted Therapy is a treatment that uses horses to reach personal insights and rehabilitative goals. It has positive results for those on a pathway to wellness and self improvement, and proven efficacy for those who are recovering from substance abuse, PTSD, depression and anxiety related health issues.
By engaging with horses, individuals can learn about themselves, their relationships and emotions, and develop skills essential to leading happy lives.
No riding skills are necessary to participate as the therapy is conducted on the ground. This fosters an equal relationship between humans and horses as the horse is not under the control of the human and can engage naturally and authentically.
It can help with
Anxiety
There is a growing body of research proving the efficacy of horses in the treatment of stress and anxiety. It has been proven that being close to horses slows our heart rate and lowers our blood pressure, bringing us into alignment with the herd. Garron Rise's horses exude calmness and gentleness which we absorb during our interactions with them.
Self Awareness
Horses empower us to develop the best version of ourselves. They far outweigh and outsize us yet will offer us the opportunity to lead them. They ask us to be firm and fair in our leadership, to stand up for ourselves and set boundaries. Horses are prey animals and are instinctively fearful of risk; to receive their trust and affection is an honour and makes us feel special. When they choose to be with us and look to us for direction and security, it gives us confidence and boosts our self-worth.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence governs our interactions with others. Survivors of abuse, of post-traumatic stress and people battling addictions are expert at avoiding or numbing their emotions and often have trouble identifying their feelings. Horses have a unique ability to sense emotions and react accordingly. If someone is angry or aggressive, the horse may become resistant. If the person is anxious or fearful, the horse may become still or skittish. The horse will respond to a person's emotion by mirroring with their own and an experienced facilitator can ‘read’ the horse and reflect this insight back to the participant.
Communication
By learning to communicate effectively with a horse, we can learn to communicate effectively in our own interactions. The way people communicate with a horse is usually a reflection of how they communicate with people. Through interacting with a horse,
useful information can be gained about their communication style and how they engage with others. A participant will be encouraged to try changing their gestures or posture and will be instantly rewarded when the horse responds differently. It is a fulfilling and powerful learning experience.
Testimonials
“Kirst is a kind and compassionate facilitator with tremendous empathy and an incredible knowledge of both horses and people. Her horse, Bru, is the most beautiful and gentle teacher; I felt calm just being in his presence. As I drove home I realised that my anxiety had disappeared. I cannot recommend Garron Rise enough.”
— Kate
Your Happiness Starts Here
Contact Info
Phone
Address
0438 899 810
Mount Helena Western Australia
Services
Initial
Consultations
Initial consultations will take around 90 minutes. The partnership between horse and human is established.
Follow Up
Consultations
Follow up consultations take around 60 minutes. Work continues with your chosen horse and the partnership is reinforced.
Leadership Programs
Leadership programs are tailored to an individual or company's needs and focus on communication, assertiveness and teamwork.
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