Sabrina Stephens Equine Assisted Therapy

31/03/2026

Putting myself out there on social media or the public in general, is not something that comes easy to me.
When I first put in my application, I really considered my " motives" "for doing so. What exactly was I trying to achieve or showcase here?
Selling Mental Health is not like retail. oh, where did you buy your emotional regulation from? I really like the way you acknowledged your hypo-arousal state her... No, working in and dealing with Mental Health is delicate, quiet, sometimes frustrating and tiring work (for the client) and it is my job to hold space for those feelings, and nurture whatever precious glimmer can be awaken from that.
My business award application wasn't successful in terms of winning the award. And that is OK. Because I didn't focus on financial outcomes, sold myself in a way that is possibly required for these applications. But it was a great learning opportunity, and it also gave me space to reflect on how far I have come. Running your own business is not easy. It can be lonely, and confusing. I know I am doing it for the right reasons, to support my community, educate people around the stigma attached to Mental Health, and to show my kids that Yes, you can do whatever it is you set your mind too. It might be challenging, it might be hard, but it is doable.

Here's to everyone who's put themselves out there. Pushed out of their own comfort zone and actually managed to enjoy it :)
Guess what, you have achieved a tiny bit more resilience in your system, and now let's stop and celebrate this moment together, I for one am easily distracted once something is done and dusted, and don't allow myself enough time to actually let the experience sink in. Something to work on. 😜

If you have been wondering about Equine Assisted Therapy or how to just not be stuck in life, please feel free to reach out.

14/03/2026

It's not official until you have the certificate 🤣

11/03/2026

I have been away this last week for my final Somatic Experiencing training.
3 years of exploring how the body holds onto traumatic events, exploring patterns that suppress " life energy ", and most importantly exploring how supporting another and myself through a relational therapeutic setting can open up the door to a new felt sense, not staying stuck in " fight, flight, freeze", allowing vulnerability to be present while the body stays soft, and not bracing.
Why is all of this so important in the Counselling work?
For me, I see myself and others mask emotions through small braces like jaw tightening, shoulders pulled up near my ears, etc.
Over time these symptoms can become chronic, and can continue to impact our health.
Do you wake up in the morning stiff and not rested? Maybe you feel like your joints ache all the time?
Gut issues? Migraines?
I can list endless symptoms....
Horses in my eyes are Somatic Experiencing, and what I mean by that is, they are living in the felt sense.
That primal instinct, that us humans are often so disconnected from, because the world we live in is very overwhelming, and it encourages us to be in our heads, and not in our body's.
However long term.... ignoring the signs, it can make us sick.
Have you ever been sick as soon as your holiday starts?

These past 3 years have been another life changing time for me.

I " fell" into this morality, due to ongoing lower back problems. I even contemplated surgery, as I learnt more and more about my lifetime of patterns, brace and coping strategies, I have been able to let go of the things that are not supportive. Was it hard in times? Absolutely!
Have I completely managed to flip the coin? Not at all!
But I now have a deeper felt sense of calm, confident and rested in me.
I'm not constantly " high jacked " by my emotions, but more so able to witness them and breathe.

I'm forever grateful for the amazing people that journey'd with me.

Over 60 students met over 3 years ago, twice a year 6 days together.

The atmosphere was intense.
What on earth had we signed up for?
And to end our last week with a feeling of expansion ( more room for the good stuff), trust, fun and laughter.

Over 20 assistants journey'd with us, guiding us, moving with us and giving space when needed.

The end of an era for the 2 organisers, and yet the beginning of something new.

And of course 3 lecturers, flown in from overseas, teaching us in very different styles, but with so much care and compassion.

Our final night saw us dance, cry, laugh and share sides of us we had no idea excisted.
Talents got revealed that left us in awe.

To integrate and celebrate the experience I was blessed to share a little down time after with my Equine Assisted Therapy and SE buddy Donna Rose, who I'm blessed to call a friend.

27km coastal walks really has us appreciate our bodies.🤣

I'm excited to share this modality with clients, and with the support of the horses.

Key Aspects of Somatic Experiencing:

Bottom-Up Approach: Instead of top-down (cognitive) therapy, SE works from the body up to the brain to change how traumatic experiences are stored.

Trauma as Physical: Trauma is viewed not as the event itself, but as the accumulated stress trapped in the body and nervous system.
Techniques: Practitioners use techniques like grounding, breathing, and "titration" (breaking down traumatic memories into small, manageable pieces) to help clients release tension safely.

Goals: The aim is to increase resilience, reduce hyperarousal, and resolve symptoms like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

https://traumahealing.org/se-101/

24/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17wC6Was1E/

11/02/2026

Seeing a rainbow can instill hope and be a harbinger of a new beginnings. If you feel lost and like positive thoughts have been abandoned, perhaps the beauty of a rainbow can inspire you that a fresh, new path awaits you.

Be prepared for a transformative time, as the rainbow's appearance ushers in a new period of your life.

The rainbow encourages spiritual growth and never stops seeking the end of the self. The rainbow reminds us of the infinite possibilities that come with living in our magical world".

Rainbows are a symbol of love and following what the heart wants.

Rainbows are our spiritual connection to beloved pets who have passed away. The so-called rainbow bridge, as it is commonly known, is the connection between humans and their companion animals who are no longer physically alive, but who remain with us in spirit.

( Source https://www.greenmatters.com/living/rainbow-spiritual-meaning)

What happens to you when you see a rainbow?

What resonates with you?

08/02/2026

A Great example....
Hard conversations can be healing...

05/02/2026

15/01/2026

As we enter 2026, some of us may have entered it with bells ringing, others may feel revitalized, while many might feel drained... I have been spending a considerable amount of time reflecting over the holidays.

What I want from my life on a personal level, professional and spiritual.

As part of this reflection I'm sharing the below video ( *trigger warning*).

It's a wonderful practice to reflect back on positive things as well as those things that need changing.

"Privilege is complex..."Check out more awesome BuzzFeedYellow videos!http://bit.ly/YTbuzzfeedyellowMUSICCould YouLicensed via Warner Chappell Production Mus...

09/12/2025

"The journey of a thousand miles- begins with one single step" ( Lao Tzu)

19/11/2025

A fun photo shoot this morning.
Some exciting new things are around the corner, and I'm so grateful that my animals continue to support me on my quest in supporting others.
The love and respect I have for them is beyond heart warming.

25/10/2025

21/10/2025

I love this ....

Let’s be real — personally, horses might be the most emotionally healing creatures we’ve ever known , I know mine are 🩷🙏

But professionally?
They are not the therapist.

They are the co-facilitator.
The boundary bringer.
The soft exhale
The truth without spoken language.

But they are not here to absorb your client’s emotional load hour upon hour.
Not the emotional sponge.
Not the silent fixer.
Not the unpaid mental health professional.

🐴 We hold the container.
✋🏽 We regulate the space.
❤️ We ensure consent — for horses and humans.

This work is powerful — its feels like its almost magic.
It’s trauma-informed. Consent-led. Co-regulated. Boundaried. Ethical.
And deeply relational.

Let’s do it right.