Berkman Academy
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Equine Therapy and Counselling in Bayswater
Berkman Academy offers equine assisted therapy and counselling at Bayswater North, in Melbourne's outer east. Sessions are outdoors and ground-based, with horses and no riding. They suit new clients, children, teens and adults, who find that sitting in a room with a counsellor does not work for them. To get started, contact us through the form on this website.
Who this is for
Bayswater is open to every kind of new enquiry:
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Children and teens who are autistic, have ADHD or carry a lot of anxiety
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NDIS participants
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Adults who are worn down, wound up or holding everyone else up
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Teens and adults who prefer a quieter, conversation-based session in nature
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Veterans and first responders
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Schools, youth services, community organisations and corporate teams
How it works
Our approach is action-based and does not rely on talk therapy alone. You work on the ground alongside the horses: leading or observing them, grooming and caring for them, noticing body language, walking and moving in nature. A horse responds straight away to tension, hesitation and confidence, which gives a clear, practical way to notice and practise staying calm and present. Some days you walk beside the horse. Other days you sit quietly and listen. It all counts.
No horse experience is needed. You do not need to have been near a horse before.
Programs at Bayswater
NDIS equine therapy
Equine assisted therapy at Berkman Academy is counselling, delivered outdoors by a qualified counsellor who is an ACA member. That is what makes it fundable under Improved Daily Living for plan-managed and self-managed participants. Sessions are invoiced under Improved Daily Living, Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training, Counsellor. If you are unsure whether your plan supports this line item, ask your plan manager.
Where we are
Berkman Academy, 271 Bayswater Rd., Bayswater North VIC 3153. We are about 10 to 15 minutes from Ringwood, Knox and Maroondah.
Clients come to us from Bayswater, Bayswater North, Boronia, Heathmont, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Knoxfield, Scoresby, The Basin, Croydon, Ringwood, Ringwood North, Mitcham, Vermont, Nunawading, Blackburn, Forest Hill, Box Hill, Doncaster East, Kilsyth, Montrose, Lilydale and across Melbourne and Victoria. Wherever you are, you are welcome.
Questions
Do I need to ride a horse?
No. Sessions are ground-based and there is no riding.
Do I need any horse experience?
No. You do not need any experience with horses.
Is equine therapy suitable for a child with autism or ADHD?
Yes. Most of the kids and teens we work with are autistic, have ADHD or carry a lot of anxiety. Sessions are one-on-one and off-screen.
Do you accept NDIS participants?
Yes. Sessions are counselling delivered by a qualified ACA counsellor and are fundable under Improved Daily Living for plan-managed and self-managed participants. Ask your plan manager if you are unsure your plan supports the line item.
Do you work with adults, veterans and organisations as well as children?
Yes. Bayswater is open to enquiries from children, teens, adults, NDIS participants, veterans and first responders, organisations and corporate teams.
Where do your clients come from?
From Bayswater, Boronia, Ringwood, Knox, Maroondah and the whole outer east, and from right across Melbourne and Victoria. Everyone is welcome.
How do I get started?
Use Contact us on this website. After you do, we send you opening days, hours, what to wear and bring, parking and arrival information.