Our Therapeutic Approaches
You Choose
The Pathways Life Worth Living Program teaches people living with complex trauma and mental health concerns to develop emotion regulation and relationship skills. This helps them to live a life they experience as more meaningful and worthwhile.
Even though this short video introduction was produced by an American adolescent DBT service we think it explains the basics of emotion regulation skills training well for adults and young people alike.
(Please note that Pathways offers telephone coaching during office hours NOT 24/7 as described in this video).
The Life Worth Living Program draws on the trauma informed approach (DBT-TI) developed by the Australian DBT Institute.
There are four options for accessing the Life Worth Living Program ranging from individual sessions only to the fully supported skills training course (see eflyer below for details).
These options provide greater choice and flexibility of access for participants.
Foundational Phase
Stabilisation Phase
Review Phase
The 2022 skills group program and schedule of fees is available here.
Referral Information and Useful Links
Applications from NDIS participants, support coordinators and referrals from GPs and mental health professionals can be discussed with Clinical Services Manager Matt Parry
Mobile: 0478353201
Email: Matt@pathwaysmh.com.au
Useful Links:
Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps people to understand the thoughts and feelings that underlie emotional and behavioural disturbances. It assists them to develop more helpful ways of thinking and behaving. Incorporating CBT principles into Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) sessions provides frequent opportunities for people to learn about the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviours. This increases awareness of the underlying patterns of thinking and behaving that maintain psychological difficulties.
Activities with the horses present opportunities to explore and discuss these processes, and for the person to identify, develop and practice (in and out of sessions) behavioural changes, greater self-management and improved coping skills. All of this makes it easier to function in day to day life.
CBT has been shown to be effective with many psychological and mental health conditions (evidence). It is often referred to as the ‘treatment of choice’ for the majority of referring health professionals. Due to the strong scientific rigor surrounding this modality CBT is often chosen over and above other less researched approaches.
More Information
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term approach. EAP is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses.
The EAGALA model’s powerful approach addresses a variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioural issues, attention deficit disorder, autism, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication needs. EAGALA (link to site) provides a standard and structure for providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning sessions.
Studies suggest that the effects of being with animals can be beneficial to physical, social and psychological wellbeing. Research has found that stroking a pet can reduce blood pressure. The presence of pets can also promote social interaction and reduce psychological responses to anxiety’ Hall & Malpus (2000).
Therapy Animals can help humans in different ways including: coping with emotional, social, or mental problems and helping them to reach recovery-based goals.
Animal assisted therapy can help people to develop social and personal skills, as well as strengthening their self-esteem. Psychological distress can make us inwardly focused. Actively working with animals helps us to be more present and externally focus.
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AAT is suited to:
Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities help by:
Social support and connection plays an important role in the well-being of humans.
A therapy animal provides comfort to the client, unlike the touch of another human which can be distressing for some participants. For people who have experienced physical or sexual abuse the comfort of an animal provides a safer experience for the participant, enabling them to receive a number of benefits from the connection.
Participants that find it difficult to trust therapist in more traditional office based settings may be highly suited to AAT.
“We have a vital opportunity now to shape a new Western psychology that acknowledges humanity as, first and foremost, natural, of nature – not separate from it. Its time to rewild psychology, with ideas and methods rooted in the rhythms, patterns, principles and other-than-human encounters of greater nature ” – Bill Plotkin “Wild Mind- a Field Guide to the Human Psyche”
Ecotherapy is a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature. There is no single definition of ecotherapy, but it’s often used to describe a regular, structured activity that:
Ecotherapy can take place in both rural and urban settings, including parks, gardens, farms and woodlands. It involves varying amounts of physical activity, depending on the type of programme. It can include activities that focus on:
Our ecotherapy sessions follow a set structure and incorporate evidenced-based practice, such as CBT and skills based learning opportunities. Other approaches can be more informal, or vary depending on the time of year and what work needs doing. People attending may have mental health concerns or be living with a physical disability but the main focus is usually on working together on a shared activity, not the health problem.
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There is increasing evidence to support the benefits for Eco therapy / Nature based therapy, including promoting good mental health and physical wellbeing by:
Ecotherapy is an establishing and emerging field, applying contemporary therapeutic frameworks, and facilitation connections to nature. Ecotherapy is the application of Ecopsychology, a relatively new term. Said to have begun when ecologists and psychologists put their heads together in the 90’s.
Ecotherapy is becoming more common in mental health, disabilities and aged care, and occupational and recreational therapy. It is popping up in children/ family programs, youth at risk as a treatment for anxiety and depression. It can be found in correctional services, in community gardens, cultural harmony projects, drug and alcohol rehab, Veterans, as well as rehabilitation programs for stroke and accident victims.
“Ecotherapy is an umbrella term for nature-based methods of physical and psychological healing.” – International Association for Ecotherapy
Ecotherapy creates therapeutic space with and in nature, that promotes and encourages wellbeing, and flourishing. Nature/ plant life cycles and ecosystems coincide and interweave with human life cycles. The split between human and nature begins to heal. We are nature, as indigenous cultures have always known.
Through caring for nature, ourselves and others we can find an environment that prevents disease and encourages wellbeing. If you have ever known the power of nature to calm the nerves, balance your perspective in challenging times, or simply feel renewed by a walk in a rainforest, or by the ocean, you know Ecotherapy! While the healing offered by nature is not new, it is being harnessed in new ways and settings.
An Ecotherapist is an emerging form of therapist skilled in facilitation and application of ecopsychology; a focus on bringing nature back to people through nature-based immersions and experiences. Work opportunities within clinical or community settings, are increasing; be it in mental health, disabilities, aged care /dementia, rehabilitation, youth at risk and with children.
There is evidence that being in nature lowers blood pressure and the heart rate, lowers the stress response from stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. It also encourages deep breathing, which supports people to slow down, and be present, rather than somewhere else in their heads.
Being with growing things, that require care and nurture, is a wonderful metaphor for personal growth and self care which can invite our full humanity. As a part of an allied treatment process or as a stand alone program, ecotherapy has a lot to offer this modern era of being busy and dependant on technology.
“Given that the human soul is the very core of our human nature, we might note that, when we are guided by soul, we are guided by nature. Both soul and greater nature do guide us in our individual development, whether or not we ask for this guidance.” Bill Plotkin “Wild Mind- a Field Guide to the Human Psyche”
Help your team become more emotionally intelligent, bond, perform better and be happy in the process! We have a variety of flexible options for your organisation. Spend the whole day partaking in Equine experiential sessions with both an individual and group focus. Enjoy a morning tea and wonderful light lunch. Also available as a half day option without lunch.
The “Super Treat” team day runs from 9.30 to 4.00pm and includes equine sessions throughout the day, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a wonderful body balance class in Nature (suitable for all levels of fitness ). We can also include mandala drawing, pottery and some reflective quiet time in the day. Discuss a tailor made day. We promise you a day to remember!
Teams on a budget: We can do half day, whole day or a series of weekly meeting. There will be a series of activities and group events.
Sponsor a program: Become a friend of Pathways MH – Why not partake in a training program or retreat / team building day whilst supporting a local school or youth agency to benefit from the program? We have many individuals, group organisations and schools that would like to partake in our programs but do not have funding.
Could you create an opportunity through your business by providing a sponsorship. Tax benefits and promotional opportunities apply. In return, we would help to spread the word about your commitment to your local community through our press events and community network.