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Animal Assisted Counselling: A Different Kind of Therapy
What is this?
Animal Assisted Counselling is a gentle, integrative approach to therapy that invites animals into the counselling space as supportive companions in the healing process.
I don't believe in animals being "used" as part of treatment. Animals are respected as sentient beings who naturally bring a sense of calm, presence and connection.
Their quiet, non-judgemental way of being can help you feel more at ease, support emotional regulation, and create space for deeper reflection.
Many people, especially those who find it hard to trust others, find that animals make it easier to open up, feel grounded and reconnect with themselves in a way that feels safe and natural.
Animals are only ever invited to take part, through interaction or observation, in a gentle and optional way that works for both you and them.
They always have a safe rest area they can retreat to whenever they choose.
Some clients choose active involvement, others prefer a quieter, observational presence, or no animal involvement at all.
There is no right or wrong way, only what feels safe and right for you.
In-Person sessions
What sessions might look like
Sessions are shaped around what we identify together in your initial session, where we create your care plan and talk about any creative therapies you'd like to explore.
I'll always have a general plan, but there's no locked-in process, no pressure to perform, and no right or wrong way to show up.
- Check in: How you're arriving today and what you'd like to focus on.
- Grounding: Gentle grounding to settle your nervous system, practise techniques you can use anywhere, and set a baseline we look back on at the end.
- The heart of the session, guided by you: Talking while an animal rests nearby or while you stroke or sit with them, walking and talking outdoors, mindfully watching how animals move and rest, and structured exercises drawing on ACT, CBT and creative therapies.
- Reflection: Making sense of what came up and settling again, so you leave feeling grounded and supported, not raw or exposed.
- Between sessions: A simple plan to practise what we worked on in your everyday life.
Online sessions
What sessions might look like
Online sessions are full counselling sessions designed for this format, not a lesser version of in-person work. Many clients find it easier to open up online.
You're in your own space, with your own animals, and there's no travel or waiting room. It's especially helpful if you live rurally or find it hard to leave home.
Animal assisted counselling doesn't disappear online. It simply takes a different, often surprisingly powerful form.
- Your own animals as co-regulators: a dog, cat, rabbit, bird or any animal you feel connected to is warmly welcome. You don't need a trained therapy animal. The AWARE™ model I trained in values animals being their authentic selves.
- The same structure: we check in, ground, work through the session and close with reflection, just as we would in person.
- Experiences adapted for online: recordings of nature or animals, screen share and a shared whiteboard. During activities you can turn your camera off, or take me with you on your laptop or phone.
- No pet? No problem. Online sessions are fully therapeutic without an animal, and we can use nature or creative therapies instead.