By Callum Ludwig
Sometimes when seeking therapy or counselling, it can feel cramped up and intimidating being holed up in a room trying to talk through emotions and feelings.
At Chantilly Park Learning and Wellness Centre in Yarra Junction, a more outdoors approach is taken and there is a new program starting up aimed at primary-school-aged kids.
Clinical Psychotherapist at Chantilly Park Learning and Wellness Centre Julie Smith said Mindful Strides is hoping to help kids who have had a tough time through Covid and who experience anxiety.
“I tend to work with kids a lot with anxiety, feeling stressed and have lost a little bit of that connection so I’ve decided to bring my psychotherapy tools, mindfulness certification and horse therapy practices together,” she said.
“I want to teach kids about mindfulness and emotional awareness and social connection, which we all need.”
The Mindful Strides program is an eight-week mindfulness program for kids aged seven to 11 years old who struggle with ‘big’ emotions, like worry, anger, stress, loneliness, nervousness or sadness. They will also explore positive emotions too, such as kindness, love and joy as well as trust and boundaries.
Ms Smith said it is an imperative time to look after kids with the return of school recently.
“They get all excited about going back to school, and all the great things that come with it, but then there’s also an underlying anxiety that so many people feel, and it’s not just the kid that’s the parents as well,” she said.
“Making new friends or even seeing old friends can be difficult, sometimes you don’t see your friends for the whole of the Christmas period, so getting reacquainted in those environments is really hard when also having to be able to concentrate in the classroom.”
While they talk about their feelings and build their self-confidence, kids will also have the opportunity to walk throughout the park as well as confide in the 10 horses on site, from miniature ponies to an ex-racehorse.
Ms Smith said horses are fantastic models for connection because that’s something that they need as well when they’re in the herd environment.
“The beauty of the horse is that they’re very good at demonstrating good boundaries as well as their awareness, they live in the present moment and they’ve got clear and assertive communication when they pick up on little things in their environment,” she said.
“They pick up on the subtle changes in our energies and what’s going on for us. They don’t necessarily mirror our behaviour but will bring attention to it, they’ll pick up if we are a bit nervous or anxious.”
The horses have been trained for years and are comfortable around children.
The session will be held on Wednesdays from 4pm to 5pm from Wednesday 15 February at Chantilly Park on Settlement Road in Yarra Junction.
Anyone interested can message the Chantilly Park Learning and Wellness Centre Facebook page for details or call Ms Smith on 0417355761. Spaces are limited.
