KJH Counselling and Supervising

11/22/2025

10/12/2025

Ask me about Equine Therapy at Sunnyridge

09/13/2025

🧠💥 POLYVAGAL THEORY - coined by S.Porges (aka “Why you snapped at your partner, cried in Tesco, and then needed a nap… all in the same hour.”)

Let’s make it simple. Like, ponies-in-a-field simple. 🐴

Because your nervous system? She’s dramatic. She has moods. And she doesn’t always let your brain know what she’s doing.

So let’s meet the three ponies of Polyvagal Theory:

🖤 Fight-or-Flight Pony – jumpy, twitchy, ready to bolt because someone looked at them funny. Will probably scream if you drop a spoon.
(Yes, this is why you couldn't reply to that text. Or got irrationally angry at the slow WiFi.)

🤍 Safe and Social Pony – this pony is vibing. Makes eye contact. Can handle a chat. Will help you carry your emotional bags AND make you a cuppa.
(This is the version of you that’s brushing your horse, laughing with a mate, and actually responding to emails.)

🤎 Shutdown Pony – she’s DONE. Over it. Can’t even. Has entered energy-saving mode like an old laptop.
(Not lazy. Not rude. Just nervous system: unplugged.)

💡Polyvagal Theory says:
You’re not broken.
You’re not overreacting.
Your body is just trying to protect you — sometimes in ways that feel ridiculous (but make total sense underneath).

08/28/2025

08/27/2025

07/22/2025

🧠🐴🐕 Understanding some of the Differences and Similarities: Animal-Assisted Therapy vs. Coaching vs. Equine-Facilitated Wellness OH MY! 😉

Not all animal-assisted interactions are the same — and it’s important to know the differences and similarities for clients seeking these modalities especially when seeking support for mental health or personal growth.

Here is a generalized break down:

🔹 Animal-Assisted Therapy -
This is a goal-directed, structured intervention delivered by a licensed mental health professional. Animals (like dogs, horses, pigs, chickens, donkeys, sheep or even cats) are part of the therapeutic treatment plan, helping clients manage trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.
👉 Think: Registered psychologist/counsellor + therapy animal presence and support

🔹 Animal-Assisted Coaching -
This approach supports areas such as personal development, self-awareness, or leadership goals and is delivered by a coach, not a registered therapist. The animal acts as a partner in reflection, feedback, and growth.
👉 Think: Life coach + intuitive guidance + animal presence and support

🔹 Equine-Facilitated Wellness (EFW)
EFW is a broad umbrella that can include both therapy and coaching — as long as the provider is a trained equine professional or a qualified human services provider, both or are working together as a team.

🐴 🫏 It is equine facilitated. While there may be other animals present the connection is created between client and an equine participant. (horse, mule, donkey, hinney, zebra) those who belong to the equus family.

What sessions may involve:

✅ It may involve mental health work (therapy), or it may focus on building resilience, emotional regulation, or personal insight (coaching/wellness).

🫶It may be horsemanship focused providing an EFW approach to building a relationship, trust, skills with an equine on the ground or mounted.

🧩 It is believed that equines are sentient beings and never are just a tool — they are an active partner in the process.

✨ While the goals, credentials, paths to education, and certifying requirements may differ in any of these approaches and others out there ,
the heart of each approach is similar: meaningful connection, emotional safety, and growth — supported by our incredible animal partners.

It is important as a client seeking an alternative form of personal growth, therapy or healing to do their research into providers in their area.

Some questions for potential clients to ask themselves:

👉Do they have qualifications that meet the standards of the type of support you would like to receive?

👉Do they belong to a community or regulating body that demonstrates ethics and values that make you feel comfortable/safe in the support you will be receiving?

👉Do you get a good feeling when connecting with them or do they come with referrals and testimonials? This is a great sign! 😊