Rachael Paterson
Qualifications
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)
Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing Practice
Accredited Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Practitioner
I am a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, with several years of experience working within the public mental health field. With extensive involvement working in the acute mental health setting, I have had the privilege of being a part of the lives of many individuals and their families in the face of challenging mental health difficulties. This opportunity has enabled me to support people through varying mental health struggles surrounding anxiety, depression, high risk behaviours, addiction, neurodivergent challenges, psychosis, mania, eating disturbances, trauma and attachment related conditions.
Having personally witnessed the devastating effects of mental health adversity in my own family, I have become deeply compassionate towards the mental health experiences of others. Knowing just how incredibly hard life can be when strained by mental health issues, I am now driven to help people on their own mental health journeys to achieve rewarding and fulfilling lives.
Whilst working as a mental health practitioner, I recognised a need to further support individuals leaving the hospital environment to return back to the community. This inspired me to founder EquiHuman Mental Health, a service that holds the vision to assist everyday people to build necessary social and emotional life skills to better navigate through life’s many obstacles, and to promote quality of life and well-being. Working collaboratively with existing mental health and allied health services, EquiHuman Mental Health aims to help people discover and grow into their true potential.
From our initial intake interview to our now weekly Equine Therapy sessions, Rachael has been amazing. Rachael took the time to talk with me as a parent to understand my child and their goals we hoped to achieve through Equine Therapy.
She spent time building a rapport with my child during the initial sessions and they are now achieving their goals through the outstanding work of Rachael and the beautiful horses. She took the time to explain to me how the therapy can assist with emotional regulation, extreme anxiety and social skills. Through working with Rachael and the horses, my child has now built the capacity to better regulate their emotions, in particular their anger.
They also have strategies for when they feel overwhelmed by anxiety including ‘horse’ breathing and grounding. Rachael and the horses provided a safe and non judgmental place for my child to work through their issues and it has been such a success. Previous therapies in a clinical environment weren’t successful for my child.
Prior to Equine therapy, my child would not try anything at school they thought they could not do and now my child will try activities and is progressing better than ever. They are able to calm themselves much quicker and their meltdowns are less frequent and less severe. I highly recommend Rachael and Equine Therapy, she has absolutely changed my child for the better!
Amanda
Thanks to Rachael and the horses I have been able to grow so much. She has a way of making me feel 100% safe and when we finish each session I always feel content and comfortable within myself. She has brought on so much positive change within myself and I’m extremely grateful, even my friends and family have noticed the change. Rachael is 1 in a million and reconnected me with myself while allowing me to process past and present trauma. I am eternally thankful for Rachael and the horses.
Cassie
Rachael is a wonderful, caring, inclusive and energetic therapist. She offers professional insight and analysis regarding challenges children may be experiencing, including behavioural issues, anxiety, ADHD and PTSD.
After meeting with my children for the initial ‘meet and greet’ session, Rachael confidently and accurately communicated the challenges my children were facing with me. Rachael has an innate ability to connect people with horses and works closely with you to establish trust, confidence and respect. Rachael regularly follows up with written feedback on sessions and progress.
My children separately see Rachael weekly to address trauma responses related to past domestic violence, PTSD, behavioural issues, including aggressive behaviours, and self esteem. I have definitely seen an improvement in my children with a reduction in stimming behaviours, improved self confidence and emotional regulation.
I highly recommend Rachael as an equine therapist and my children love attending her sessions weekly.
Renee