Koren Ganas Psychology

11/12/2025

This may not look like much (yet!) but I'm excited to share the next phase of build out at the clinical psychology centre to support our equine facilitated sercices is now officially underway!

The good folks Fieldsview Equine Services are building us custom made indoor stables. These will not only provide comfortable shelter from the elemets for our equine facilitators, but also provide indoor space for some of our equine related services...which will hopefully translate into fewer weather related disruptions to those sessions.

Watch this space - we'll provide updates as the build progresses. And if you've been thinking about participating in equine facilitated clinical psychology, reach out, as our 2026 books are filling quickly.

07/12/2025

🕊Wishing you a restful holiday season and a peaceful start to 2026! 🕊

⚠⚠ Reminder that our services will be closed from Friday 19 December, reopening Monday, 19 January 2026 ⚠⚠

New year bookings are filling quickly. For both new and existing clients, If you would like to book services for January/February, please contact us prior to our summer sabbatical to ensure your preferred appointment times.

30/11/2025

In the United States, this weekend marks Thanksgiving, a time when many gather with family or chosen family to pause, reflect, and offer gratitude.

While the history of the holiday is complex and far broader than the familiar stories we often hear, Thanksgiving has always been a personal moment of reflection for me. As a dual citizen, it’s one of the few days each year when a sense of homesickness gently surfaces.

With that spirit of reflection in mind, I want to express my gratitude to the people and organisations who have supported the development of our Equine-Facilitated Clinical Psychology Centre. This space has been a long-held vision, brought to life through care, community, and a commitment to creating safe, ethical, and meaningful therapeutic experiences with horses. It continues to evolve as we grow and refine our programs and services.

We are deeply thankful to Riverina Therapy Dogsfor their guidance in developing sound, ethical models of animal-assisted therapy; for entrusting us with our beautiful therapy horse Dusty; and for their practical, hands-on support here in South Australia (literally coming and building parts of the centre!)

Our centre simply could not operate safely without the exceptional work of Josh and his team at Rural Fencing S.A.including his wonderful mum. Their skill, reliability, and genuine care have created the secure environment that supports the wellbeing of both horses and humans.

We are also grateful to Tradie Lady Elechick for helping us transform our office space into a bright, welcoming, sensory-friendly environment.

And finally, our sincere thanks to Adelaide Plains Council for supporting our practice through the Prosperity Path Business Grant. This support has allowed us to open our beautiful office space and further extend services to the community we care so deeply about.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to acknowledge the many individuals, families, and professionals who have been part of Ganas Clinical Psychology in 2025. Your trust, collaboration, and presence, whether in the paddock, in the therapy room, or across a telehealth screen, are deeply valued. It is a privilege to walk alongside you.

Wishing each of you rest, safety, and moments of genuine connection as we move into the festive season and the year ahea

20/11/2025

I was so sad to learn of the passing of eminent psychologist Paul Ekman. Dr Ekman's work on emotion and compassion, and the Cultivating Emotional Balance program he developed, were foundational in shaping my understanding of the human condition as well as how I practice psychology. Thank you Dr Ekman for your work and your generosity in sharing and teaching. We are sending our deep condolences to your family.

Dr. Paul Ekman, pioneer of emotion science and creator of FACS, has passed away at 91. Read his memorial and share reflections on his life and legacy.

19/11/2025

📣 Reminder! Our summer holiday closure is fast approaching and end of year bookings are nearly full. If you are looking to book in before the new year, now's the time!

12/11/2025

Dr Ganas started her career back in USA in pediatric and rehabilitation neuropsychology, assessing and working with folks who had sustained acquired brain injuries. Through this work she developed a deep passion for protecting our most valuable asset - our 🧠!

Please heed this wise guidance from PCA. While it may feel disappointing to not ride, concussion protocols in sport are well informed and are designed to protect your brain health, now and into the future!

And while you're at it, wear a well fitting, approved helmet, Every. Single. Ride.

Welfare Wednesday: Concussion — What You Need to Know as a Rider

A concussion is a type of brain injury. It can happen from a fall or even a small knock to your head, and the signs can show up straight away or later on.

You might notice:
• Headache or pressure in your head
• Dizziness or blurred vision
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Feeling tired, confused, or “in a fog”
• Noise or light bothering you
• Trouble balancing or concentrating
• Memory problems or amnesia
• Feeling irritable or down
• Neck pain

If you fall or hit your head at Pony Club, someone will check how you’re going, and you’ll be monitored for the first few hours.

🧠 If concussion is suspected

You don’t get back on your horse that day — even if you feel okay at first. The only time you can keep riding that day is if a doctor checks you and gives written medical clearance.

🧠 If a doctor diagnoses concussion

You must take time off riding:
• At least 21 days off, and
• You need to be symptom-free for the 14 days before riding again
You can return sooner only if a doctor gives a certificate confirming full recovery.

All falls are recorded, and concussion cases are reported to your state or territory office.

At Pony Club, we have a simple saying that helps keep riders safe:

“If in doubt, sit them out.”

Giving your brain time to recover properly means coming back ready to ride confidently and safely.

🔗 Full PCA Concussion Policy: https://bit.ly/3WKEan7

10/11/2025

10/11/2025

Ganas Clinical Psychology
Located in Mallala, South Australia
Serving the Adelaide Plains Community & Australia-wide

Psychological Therapy | Telehealth | Equine-Facilitated Clinical Psychology | Clinical Supervision

At Ganas Clinical Psychology, we offer evidence-informed psychological services delivered by a highly experienced Doctor of Clinical Psychology.

Our practice combines evidence-based care with compassion, safety, and respect for each person’s pace. Sessions are grounded in connection—to self, body, and environment—within a private, natural setting designed to feel safe and welcoming.

Services Offered:
• Clinical psychology sessions (in-person or via telehealth)
• Equine-Facilitated Clinical Psychology, integrating therapeutic work with horses and nature
• Psychological consultation for organisations and professionals
• Board-Approved Clinical Supervision for provisional and registered psychologists

Our Approach Is Grounded In:
• Trauma-sensitive, neurobiology-informed practice
• Respect for autonomy, dignity, and lived experience

We are based in Mallala, SA and provide care locally and Australia-wide via secure telehealth.

To learn more or to make contact:
www.ganaspsychology.com

05/11/2025

It's been a full 12 months since introducing equine facilitated clinical psychology services to my practice, and with horse welfare in the headlines this week, I thought it would be a good time to pause and reflect on the year.

Though I’m a lifelong horse person and equestrian, I thought long and hard before making the decision to incorporate equine facilitated sessions in my practice. Not because I didn't think it was a solid, research-informed, and effective way to deliver services (it is), but because of the potential toll it may take on the horses. The questions that held my attention were ones of ethics and welfare:
What does it mean for the horses?
What do we owe them?
And what social licence do we have to invite animals into therapeutic spaces?

I spent significant time consulting, researching models of best practice, and reflecting deeply on the relationship between human healing and equine wellbeing.

What I realised was the ethical process of working with horses in clinical psychology is parallel to the ethical process of the therapeutic relationship itself. That is to say, safety, trust, and earnest commitment to welfare are at the heart of both. I crafted a statement on Animals in Clinical Psychology (included below), and committed to reviewing it each year to ensure it still represents the standards and integrity I wish to uphold.

Social licence to work with animals in my practice isn’t a given. It’s earned, dynamic, and fragile. I will continue to work to uphold standards of welfare for the horses that share so much of themselves in my practice, and will continue to monitor, listen, learn, and respond to their highest and best wellbeing as needed.

Over this past year, our horses have had choice, rest, voice, spaciousness, and the ability to say “no.” They are not tools or techniques. They are sentient partners in relational therapeutic work, and their wellbeing will always lead the way. I will continue to monitor, listen, respond, and adapt our approach in service of their highest welfare, now and always.

🐴 **Animals in Clinical Psychology: Our Commitment to Ethical Animal Welfare & Autonomy** 🐴

At Ganas Clinical Psychology, we view our animal partners, like Billabong Gold Dust and Billabong Bluebell, as respected members of the therapeutic process, not tools to be "used." We are deeply committed to their welfare, autonomy, and individuality. 💖

Our practice is guided by internationally recognised welfare principles, ensuring that each horse’s physical, emotional, and relational needs are met with respect and care. 🌱✨

Every animal in our program has the freedom to choose when and how they participate, and we honour their cues and boundaries in every interaction. 🕊️ We follow a force-free, fear-free approach, using compassionate and cooperative methods to create a safe, respectful environment for all. 🧡

This approach not only protects the wellbeing of our equine partners but also nurtures authentic connections between clients, therapists, and animals, providing a foundation for meaningful therapeutic work. 🫱🏽‍🫲🏼

📸: Billabong Gold Dust (top) & Billabong Bluebell (bottom)

🐎

23/10/2025

Any sporting club nonprofits in the Adelaide Plains Council area interested in this grant opportunity??

20/10/2025

⚠ Weather Alert ⚠

Rains, thunder and lightening forecast the next few days means our weather policy will be in effect for equine-facilitated sessions. If you're booked for an EFP service, we will be in touch to rebook, or offer a telehealth or room-based alternative shortly. We know this can be disappointing, but appreciate everyone's flexibility and understanding. Our goal is always to keep both our human participants and equine facilitators safe!