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Horses teaching and counselling humans on the Sunshine Coast
Viviane Oliveira
Psychotherapist and Equine Assisted Therapist
Viviane is the owner and director of Viva Equine. She is a qualified counsellor and Equine Assisted Therapist. She has over 20 years of experience in counselling, psychotherapy, case management and community work in the private and non-for-profit sectors in Australia and overseas. In her first 5 years of career Viviane worked as a clinical psychologist in Brazil in private setting as well as for government agencies and drug and alcohol services. In 2010 she traveled the world delivering therapeutic services in a volunteer basis. In that journey Viviane worked with communities in Brazil, Argentina, The Amazon Forest in Ecuador, Mexico, Spain and Uganda. In Australia, Viviane worked in the child protection, drug and alcohol and mental health fields. She also provided extensive support for Aboriginal communities in NSW.
Viviane is passionate about supporting people to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. She is compassionate and empathetic and seeks to provide her clients with a non-judgmental and safe space to address their challenges and concerns.
Viviane supports children, young people, adults and families to address a broad range of problems including:
Complex trauma
Childhood historical abuse and neglect
Sexual violence
Family and Domestic violence
Inter generational trauma
Parenting
Relationship Problems
Grief and loss
Behavioural problems in Children
Bullying
Mental health problems including anxiety, depression, PTSD, ASD and others
Cultural challenges
Physical and intellectual disabilities
Sexuality and gender challenges..
Counselling Qualifications:
Bachelor of Psychology from Brazil recognised as a four year degree in Australia
Graduate Diploma in Narrative Therapy
Equine Assisted Learning Certification
Methodologies:
Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning
Narrative Therapy and Community Work
Strength Based Approaches
Positive Psychology
Art and Play therapy
Trauma informed approach
Professional Membership:
Associate Member of The Australian Psychological Society (APS)
About Me
Skyla Williams
Sky is an Occupational Therapy student who has a kind, bubbly, and nurturing personality with a passion for helping others. Sky has been around horses for 15 years and has worked as a community support worker aiming to show value in the day-to-day living of everyone she encounters.
Sky holds an holistic view of health and wellbeing, and values each person and animal's individuality. Through her caring and empathetic approach, she hopes to help people build confidence in themselves and in their communication with others.
Sky provides equine assisted learning sessions and group activities.
Heidi Refiti
Psychotherapist & Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
Heidi is an experienced Psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in private practice. As a registered member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. Heidi completed her Masters in Psychotherapy, specialising in Gestalt Therapy, in 2013. Since then, she has pursued training in several leading therapeutic modalities in Gottman Couples Therapy, Circle of Security Facilitation and Systemic Constellations Facilitation. She is also a trained Professional Supervisor, further demonstrating her commitment to professional development and excellence in her field. Prior to changing careers to become a Psychotherapist, Heidi was a business executive in the field of information technology.
Heidi's therapeutic approach is rooted in her firm belief in the inherent capacity of individuals to navigate their own path to healing. She views her role as a therapist as a guide, facilitating the journey towards self-discovery, growth and healing. Heidi's experience spans a broad spectrum of mental health issues and has been instrumental in helping countless individuals, couples and groups gain a deeper understanding of their life spaces, fostering healing, change, and growth.
In addition to her clinical work, Heidi regularly participates in professional development activities and peer learning groups, staying abreast of the latest research and developments in the field
Ailish Hill
Counsellor & Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
Ailish has passion for horses since childhood. She has a diploma in Counselling, is a qualified EA level 1 dressage coach and trainer, and completed a Bachelor of Animal Science and Management and a. Working towards majoring in mindfulness therapies, expressive therapies and child development and effective parenting.
Ailish has worked as a disability support worker where she shows her kind caring and giving nature to support people to live meaningful lives in an inclusive, energetic and positive environment.
She has a calm, gentle nature, respecting each client's individuality, supporting them towards their goals in a positive and creative way.
She takes her time to build rapport and gently challenges when necessary to make positive changes and build on strengths to work towards client created goals.
Ailish's combined skills in disability, counselling and with horses makes her unique and adaptable offering both Equine Assisted psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning sessions that are tailored to meet the clients goals.
About Me
Caity Glass
Caity is in the end stages of completing a psychology degree, and has owned and worked with horses for 15+ years. She has a background as a Support Worker and as a diploma qualified Early Childhood Educator, with a focus on children with ADHD and Autism.
She is passionate about building each person's self worth, and creating a tool kit of skills so each individual can adapt their strengths to overcome challenges.
She recognises the healing and calming effect being with horses has for many people, and works alongside them to help each person feel supported, heard and empowered.
She strives to create a space that feels accepting and inclusive, where people can discover their strengths and celebrate their uniqueness, and use this to build skills and resilience. Through her sessions Caity holds a joyous space where clients can appreciate each experience with the horses and find fun and laughter in their work together.
Monte
Equine Therapist and Equine Teacher
Monte has 14 years of experience assisting people to live their lives in happier, healthier ways. Monte hails from the rolling farmland and open spaces surrounding Kilcoy. He spent the first 8 years of his life there where he was an enthusiastic participant in mustering, pony club and gymkhanas. He was reportedly an excellent student of these activities in this time. While in Kilcoy, he also brought joy and happiness to a young boy and his family. Monte then moved to Burpengary and continued his work in happiness. There he taught a young girl and her family resilience and confidence. While in Burpengary, Monte occasionally visited the horse beach at Beachmere. Here he discovered a love of sea breezes and the ocean. Monte then decided he would like to assist children, youths and adults on the Sunshine Coast, closer to the ocean and made the move to Woombye.
Girl Friday
Equine Therapist and Equine Teacher
Girl Friday aka Fun Friday, Friend Friday, or just Friday! She is small in size but big in kindness and love! Girl Friday is a Shetland Pony who has many years of experience in working with people with additional needs. She is gentle, easy-going, fun, and enjoys everyone's company.Â
She loves cuddles and is great at holding a safe space for people to talk about their challenges. She also loves going for walks with clients and loves being pampered by our clients!
Diablo
Equine Therapist and Teacher
Please meet Diablo our big and gentle boy! Diablo means Devil in Spanish but he is far from that! I was told he received this name when he was young and mischievous but with all the work and training he received in the last 13 years, he became a calm, sweet and respectful horse! He was a riding horse but is really enjoying being a therapy horse. He is the cuddliest member of the team and very attuned to our clients' needs. He loves a scratch behind his ears and along his neck!
Feymus
Equine Therapist and Teacher
Feymus belong to our counsellor Ailish Hill and has just started his career as a therapy horse. Ailish and Feymus competed in the state and national title up to medium level dressage.
He is a warmblood by the coloured Kenlock Superman, out of a Wunder Gold mare. Feymus stands at 16.3 hands and is 16yo.
Feymus is a social butterfly and loves to be around people and horses. He has a beautiful temperament and is curious and playful. He is like an oversized Labrador and really wants to connect with everyone he meets, almost getting jealous if he is left out. He took the long journey from Vic to Qld in July 2023 and has blossomed as a therapy horse, putting the same effort and gentle kindness into his new role as a therapy horse as he did with dressage. Secretly, we think he may like his retired therapy life a tad better!