about

Wild Hooves

Hi there!  

I would like to acknowledge the Dharug and Gundungurra traditional owners of this land in which I have the blessing of being able to live, work and explore on.  

We walk together.

My name is Steph and I am the founder and Principal Practitioner of Wild Hooves. I am a Social Worker, certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist practitioner and specialise in working with children and young people up to the age of 25, who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect and mental health challenges.  

Trauma, whilst often carried with a heaviness, I believe, can be a gift that guides people in ways that allow them to explore themselves at a deeper level of awareness and use their experience as a way to forge a path of difference and change with choice.  

Growing up as a young person who experienced trauma, I know all too well the immobilising impact it can have on one’s life and the devastating outcomes as a result. However, I also know the power it can have in guiding and motivating people to understand themselves on a deeper emotional and spiritual level to make fulfilling life choices rather than be dictated by their past. If there’s anything trauma has taught me, it’s that it never leaves, so rather than try and make it, work with it instead to understand yourself deeper and empower others who have also experienced the same.  

I began my career in 2016, utilising Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to support children and young people who had faced mental health challenges. This was the beginning of a new understanding for myself as it became obvious the incredible mental-health benefits of the horse-human relationship.  

I continued to work extensively with young people in Out of Home Care which has taught me the crucial importance of a safe relationship in shaping one’s life trajectory and the true possibility to rewire the traumatised brain to again trust, regulate and most importantly, feel safe.   

With a strong passion and love for the Aussie Bush, I have travelled all over Australia in my swag, connecting deeply with the land I am lucky to call home and even experienced the life of a Jillaroo on an outback cattle station. I have had the privilege of connecting with First Nations people all over the country and being so generously welcomed into their sacred culture where I have learnt the true power of connection. With a love of the outdoors, I became certified in Outdoor Leadership where I have had the opportunity of supporting young people to learn skills in Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Camping and Overnight Hiking. The remarkable healing and teaching nature can do for people, is a gift I integrate throughout my life and therapeutic practice.  

My lifelong vision has always been to offer a safe space and relationship where people can be their complete, authentic selves where they feel seen, heard and accepted without judgement. I hope, that through my own personal experiences, I can empower and support people to feel they can do the same, grasp who they are with confidence and reach their full potential. After all, we are just humans, who crave love, connection and to be seen – we walk together.   

My therapeutic modalities and certifications include: 

  • M. Social Work

  • BA Psychology (Arts)

  • Certificate in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (Equine Psychotherapy Institute) 

  • Trauma Informed Practice 

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation (EMDR) (Level 1) 

  • Relationship Based Perspective 

  • Adventure Therapy for Complex Trauma (Youth Flourish Outdoors) 

  • Domestic Violence Response Training (Lifeline) 

  • Certificate III Outdoor Leadership 

Ready to start your journey? Click here to book or get in contact.