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Monday 9am - 5am Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 2:30pm

Karinya Farm - Vic

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Pakenham, VIC
Karinya Farm - Vic

Karinya Farm provides a calm and safe environment for clients of all ages.

Karinya Regulate & Connect is a farm based counselling and group support service in Pakenham South, helping build emotional regulation, confidence and connection through animal assisted experiences, outdoor activities and small group programs 1:2 ratio. Combining equine and animal assisted therapy in a peaceful farm environment offering the perfect setting for clients to be therapeutically support

ed for healing, growth and achieving personal goals. Horses are majestic, intelligent, sensitive and strong beings who can foster a meaningful connection with clients and assist in the learning process. Horses and animals can assist in co-regulating the nervous system, can model expression of feelings, as well as offering a safe connection to allow clients to have an awareness of their emotions and thoughts. Horses and animals brought into our sessions can offer a unique empowerment to healing and help support clients in a way traditional therapy environments cannot. The calm & tranquil farm environment can also contribute positively to therapeutic outcomes for clients, be it collecting eggs from the hen house, sitting by the dam with fishing rod in hand or just being in the moment with one of our many beautifully natured therapy animals big & small. At Karinya Farm animal-assisted therapy our model is to deliver a client centred strength based approach to assist clients to reach their personal goals. We aim to build capacity for clients, assisting with developing social and emotional functioning. We offer an unique experience where each client is able to build a trusting relationship to promote the steps of change and growth.

27/04/2026

NDIS is changing… and honestly, that’s not a bad thing.
There’s been a lot of talk about the new NDIS updates — tighter budgets, more accountability and a bigger focus on real outcomes.
And we want to be really clear about where we stand.
We’re here for it.
Because this is exactly how we’ve always worked.
At Karinya Regulate & Connect and NextGen Youth Services, it’s never been about using up funding… it’s about using it better
What this means for the young people and families we support:
✔ Supports that actually engage (not just tick a box)
✔ Small 1:2 ratios for real connection and safety
✔ Structured sessions that build confidence, regulation & independence
✔ Real social interaction — not forced, not clinical
✔ Transport that doesn’t eat into your funding (only charged for actual travel time)
✔ Programs designed to get outcomes, not just fill hours
We’re also doing things differently across two environments:
Farm-based supports (Karinya)
Grounding, hands-on, calm — learning through animals, nature and real-life experiences
Tech-based supports (NextGen – Level Up)
Connection through gaming, building friendships, social confidence and routine
The new NDIS direction is clear:
*Less “just support hours”
*More capacity building, independence and value for money
And that’s exactly where we sit.

We’re continuing to evolve, build better programs and make sure every young person who walks through our doors is actually getting something out of their time with us.
Because at the end of the day…
It’s not about how much funding is used.
It’s about what that funding actually does.

If you’re a family or support coordinator trying to navigate the changes reach out.

We’re always happy to talk through what this looks like for you.
📩 enquiries@karinyafarmvic.com.au
📞 0478 675 943

20/04/2026

We’ve made a small shift and it matters.
Over time, Karinya Farm Vic has naturally grown into something much more.
What started as a farm-based counselling has evolved into a place where people come to regulate, connect and build real confidence in everyday life.
So, we’ve gently stepped into a new program
Karinya Regulate & Connect
At the same time, we’ve launched NextGen Youth Services creating another space for connection through technology, gaming, and structured group supports.
Together both environments give participants a choice. Different ways to engage, regulate and grow based on what works best for them.
With the recent NDIS changes, we’ve taken a step back and looked closely at how we deliver supports and how we can make them work better for the people we support.
Our focus is simple:
More value. More impact. Better use of funding.

What this looks like:
• Small 1:2 ratio group programs for safety and real support
• A strong focus on emotional regulation and confidence
• Practical supports that carry into everyday life
• Transport options that don’t waste funding on staff waiting
• A balance of counselling and real-world application
• Choice between farm-based and tech-based environments
We’re also expanding into career-focused group days for 15–25 year olds — creating opportunities to connect with business owners and industry leaders.
These sessions will give young people:
• Real insight into different career paths
• Honest conversations about how people got where they are
• Guidance on steps they can take moving forward
• Hands-on experiences, including exposure to trades and practical skills
This is about building confidence not just socially — but in their future.
The farm is still here.
The animals are still part of the experience.
The heart of Karinya hasn’t changed.
This shift is about being clearer, stronger and more aligned with what people actually need especially in a changing NDIS space.
Karinya Regulate & Connect + NextGen Youth Services

See you at the Farm
Karinya Team.

18/03/2026

🔥 SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM – NEXTGEN LEVEL UP 🔥
Only 6 Spots a day
Looking for something your young person will actually be excited to attend these holidays? 🎮
We’re running small, supported group sessions packed with:
🚀 Minecraft missions on our private server
🏃 Parkour + obstacle challenges
🏆 Capture the Flag battles
🎯 Team competitions & creative builds
🎮 Rocket League, Mario Kart + more
This isn’t just gaming — it’s about building:
✔️ Confidence
✔️ Social skills
✔️ Teamwork
✔️ Friendships
All in a safe, structured and supportive environment.
👥 Small groups (1:2 support)
🕘 Half day & full day options
➕ Extra hours available
⚠️ VERY LIMITED SPOTS – we keep groups small, and these will book fast.
📲 Message or contact Chris to secure a spot:
0439 130 010
chris@nextgenyouthservices.com.au
📍 Pakenham
NextGen Youth Services – Level Up

16/03/2026

Dragonflies teach us that we are allowed to grow, adapt and become something stronger after hard times. Mental health healing may feel slow, but transformation is still happening.

07/03/2026

Today we are doing concrete drawings. This is a rainbow. 🌈

03/02/2026

New nextgen_youth_services T-shirts have arrived. I’m loving the oldschool Pac-Man.

27/01/2026

The end of 'clinical' vibes: Why therapy in a paddock feels safer than therapy in a room. 🌿

Ever felt that "on the spot" pressure when sitting in a small room with four walls and a ticking clock? 🕒 We get it. Sometimes, the hardest part of talking is the setting itself.

At Karinya Farm, we’ve ditched the sterile clinical vibes for wide-open paddocks and fresh air. There’s something about being outside that just makes everything feel less forced. Whether we’re walking through the grass, hanging out near the animals, or just enjoying the view, the conversation happens naturally.

Without the pressure of intense eye contact or the feeling of being "observed," it’s much easier to just be yourself. It’s low-pressure, authentic, and honestly? It just feels safer.

If you're looking for a space where you can breathe, move, and grow without the clinical labels, we’re here for you.

Check out what we do at www.karinyafarmvic.com.au ✨

24/01/2026

Nature and screens don’t have to be enemies.

At Karinya Farm, we see both as tools, when they’re used with purpose and the right support.

Some days, the best “session” looks like a walk to check on the animals, a bit of gardening, or doing something hands-on like cooking or creating. Other days, it’s jumping into our NextGen – Level Up program where gaming and tech become the entry point for building real-life skills like communication, teamwork, confidence, problem-solving and emotional regulation.

It’s not about choosing farm life OR screens.
It’s about finding balance.

We meet people where they’re at, keep things low-pressure, and create a space where you can be yourself, outside the four walls, without the clinical vibe.

And yes: our counsellors are qualified, experienced, and genuinely get it.

Curious about what this could look like for you or your young person? Send us a message or have a look at www.karinyafarmvic.com.au

16/01/2026

Not all screen time is created equal! The difference? It’s all about how we use it.

At Karinya Farm’s NextGen Level Up program, we see gaming as a space for positive growth when it’s intentional. Good screen time means social engagement: young people connecting with peers, building confidence, learning to regulate emotions, and exploring creativity (like building avatars or dreaming up backstories together!). When our teens talk about what’s going on with their characters, they’re also practicing reflecting on their own lives and stories.

On the flip side, screen time can be harmful when it’s used just to check out, with no time or self-care boundaries. Long, unregulated sessions without basic breaks can do more harm than good.

At NextGen Level Up, we help families and young people find that healthy, fun balance: so screen time moves from isolation to real connection. Curious to learn more? Visit www.karinyafarmvic.com.au

13/01/2026

School refusal is rising fast – and for so many kids, it’s more than just not wanting to go to class. Maybe your child feels disconnected from friends or teachers, overwhelmed by the workload, or like they just don’t fit that "one size fits all" box at school. That struggle can leave them feeling left behind, or like they're not smart enough (which is never true!).

At NextGen Level Up, we do things differently. Our group-based program helps kids rediscover their confidence by letting them connect through gaming and creative challenges, not tests or textbooks. We encourage everyone to speak up about how they learn best, build genuine self-esteem, and realise it’s totally okay to be different. And when it comes to friendships? Sometimes the best ones start with just saying hello to someone new.

If your child is struggling with school, there’s another way. Let’s help them discover their spark again. 💚

09/01/2026

Why four walls and a couch don't work for everyone – there's another way.

At Karinya Farm, we know therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, real change starts outside the four walls of an office: where you can relax, breathe, and just be yourself. That’s why our farm-based counselling lets you connect in a safe, low-pressure environment filled with animals, hands-on activities, and open space. You don’t have to sit still and talk: here, you can walk with a horse, laugh with a dog, or just hang out as you are. It’s about learning, growing, and healing in genuine ways, without feeling forced or boxed in.

If you’re looking for support that feels different: something natural, welcoming, and tailored to you: come see what Karinya Farm is all about. Ready to try another way?

Address

65 Five Mile Road
Pakenham, VIC
3810

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5am
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 2:30pm

Website

http://www.karinyafarmvic.com.au/

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