Berkman Academy
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Equine Therapy for Children, Teens & NDIS Participants in Melbourne
Berkman Academy offers equine therapy for children and NDIS participants in Melbourne.
Sessions support anxiety, ADHD, autism and emotional regulation through guided interaction with horses in a calm outdoor environment.
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We're based at Bayswater North, 10 to 15 minutes from Ringwood, Knox and Maroondah.
Who This Support Is For
Most of the kids and teens we work with are autistic, have ADHD, or carry more anxiety than a child should have to.
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Nearly all of them have already sat in a room with a counsellor, and it didn't fit.
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That isn't a failure on their part. It's a room that asked the wrong thing of them.
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Talk therapy asks a young person to sit still and find words for something they may not have words for yet.
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Out here they can move, and the horse answers whatever they bring. Nothing has to be explained first.
What happens in a session?
Each session is one-on-one, and completely off-screen.
Participants might:
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Lead or observe the horses
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Groom, feed, or care for them
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Learn to notice body language – theirs and the horse's
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Walk, move, and connect with nature
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Take small steps toward confidence and independence
Some days we walk beside the horse. Other days, we just sit quietly and listen. It all counts.
Why Horses Can Help
Horses are highly sensitive to body language and emotional signals.
They respond immediately to tension, hesitation and confidence.
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This creates a powerful learning experience where participants can see how their internal state affects the interaction and practice staying calm, focused and present.
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For many young people, this experiential approach makes emotional learning easier than traditional therapy settings.
NDIS Support
Equine assisted therapy at Berkman Academy is counselling, delivered outdoors by a qualified counsellor and ACA member. That's what makes it fundable under Improved Daily Living for plan-managed and self-managed participants.
All Equine Assisted Therapy sessions are delivered by a qualified counsellor, member of the ACA, with experience supporting children and NDIS participants.
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Berkman Academy invoices NDIS sessions under:
Improved Daily Living - Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training - Counsellor 15_043_0128_1_3
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If you are unsure whether your plan support this line item, please reach out to your plan manager.
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Ready to book a session?
