Horses have been in Judith Emond’s life since she was ten years old, as sentient beings they have provided over 45 years of companionship, joy and emotional support. Judith has combined her passion for horses with her mental heath, family therapy and bereavement practice. She is proud to be neurodivergent, AuDHD and authentically provides an emotionally safe sensory space for therapeutic interventions to take place on her beautiful rural property.
Judith has extensive counselling experience working with teens, adults and families within the disability and mental health field and undertakes continual training to remain updated with the latest counselling methods and research. She provides evidence-based treatments to deal with emotional and psychological difficulties drawing on a range of treatment modalities such as animal-assisted therapy, somatic awareness, behavioural and cognitive interventions, relaxation, and mindfulness strategies, social engagement, family relationship therapies and bereavement interventions. Including horses in her practice has greatly enhanced the outcomes of service users. Judith is extremely passionate about advocating the unconditional support and spiritual healing that horses offer humans.
Judith is a Clinical Family Therapist (AAFT), Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW) and Bereavement Counsellor and has worked in the field for more than 29 years.
She has trained as an Equine Experiential Facilitator with Free Rein Australia under the Somatic Experiencing Horse model, and completed training with the Polyvagal Equine Institute. Judith has also undertaken Animal-Assisted Play Therapy Level 1 with the International Institute of Animal-Assisted Play Therapy. Since 2016 she has completed over 200 hours of face to face training in the field
Judith served on the board of directors for the Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals (CBEIP) for a 3 year term starting in 2022 and is a certified Equine Interaction Professional – Mental Health with the CBEIP.
She is a member of Animal Therapies Ltd and is a registered NDIS provider.
Judith is compassionate, non-judgemental, friendly and approachable, and her calm demeanour and therapy animals put people at ease. Judith also embraces the richness of her clients’ lived experience, their skills and their own expertise.
Judith has training and experience working with transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary teens, adults and their families.
