Helen Sorensen

A registered Counsellor. Helen’s passion and specialty is working with the healing power of horses to help people.

Helen is a gifted and experienced horsewoman, with a lifetime of experience with horses, including 30 years coaching all abilities riding, and successfully competing in show jumping, dressage and eventing.

Helen always knew there was something more to the relationship with horses. Her journey with these wonderful creatures evolved in 2004 with overseas travel to train in equine therapy – gaining a counselling qualification at the same time, Helen branched out working with horses in a therapeutic mental health setting.

When you work with Helen and her team, you’re guaranteed a healthy dose of common sense, creativity and understanding at the forefront of the treatment process or learning experience.

For parents and carers, she has a refreshingly non-judgemental approach. For kids, she provides a safe, caring, fun and effective setting to cope better with big feelings and life’s challenges.

Horsing around with Helen

Qualifications
Mental Health Counsellor
MACA Level2
NCAS Level 2
Cert IV in Training and Assessment
Advanced Certified Member – Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (eagala) since 2004
Scenar therapy training

Human team

Jacinta Kretschmer aka “Jack”

Equine Specialist
Certified Eagala Model

Jack has a deep love for horses combined with extensive experience in the equine industry. Jack manages the horse side of the team making sure the horses welfare and optimum health is part of the equation.
Jack has been trained in the eagala model as an equine specialist since 2014 and brings a grounded, authentic and wise perspective to sessions.

Sharon Fergus

B. Soc Sc (Counselling)
MACA Level 3
Certified Eagala Model

A registered Counsellor. Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the team. Sharon has experience in domestic and family violence services, and is trained in the circle of security parenting program. Sharon enjoys working with people from all walks of life, and has also been certified in the eagala model since 2014.

Janice Burt

B. Bus (Sport Management)
Cert IV Leadership and Management
Equine Specialist
Certified Eagala Model

With over 20 years experience with horses, and 15 years experience in healthcare administration, Janice brings a unique perspective to the team, helping out with keeping the horses well, and co-facilitating leadership and youth programs. Janice enjoys working with corporate groups, children and young people, to help people from all walks of life build resilience and reach their full potential.

The Horse Team

The horse programs provided by Equine Alliance involve a herd of approximately 10 horses. Many of our horses come to the farm to work as therapy horses after retirement from careers as riding horses. The horses are the core of program delivery – and they never get it wrong!

Like human families and communities, the horses in our herd all have personalities, physical characteristics and stories. These details translate to the therapeutic or learning context beautifully to create opportunities for participants to explore, create, change, reflect and become more aware.

The welfare of the horses that work with us is important to everyone on our team. We have qualified equine specialists helping manage the health, wellbeing, training and safety of the horses.

The Family Farm

The gorgeous 22acre horse farm where Equine Alliance operates from has been in Helen’s family for over 70 years and was owned by her grandmother, also a gifted horsewomen by necessity. Dating back to the 1970’s, Helen and her mother started a Riding for the Disabled program which operated for nearly 30 years.

Helen’s Mother was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) by the Queen for services to the community as well as numerous community service awards.

Helen has also been recognised for her contribution to the local community with awards such as the Palmwoods Australia Day Citizen Award in 1997 – citizen of the year for services to the community. The Australian sports medal for services to the Pony Club Association, 2000 and numerous awards for her contribution as a Coach from Queensland Government and Australian Coaching Council.

“When you walk through the gate in this unique natural setting there is an undeniable sense of calm and connection back to nature”

– participant feedback –

Partners

The Neilson Foundation
Equine Alliance is grateful for the generous funding contribution toward our community programs in 2021 and 2022.
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https://www.neilson.org.au/

Rotary Mooloolaba
Equine Alliance is grateful for the ongoing support of Rotary Mooloolaba.

Four Corners Coaching
Equine Alliance partners with Four Corners Coaching for the delivery of some of our team building and child and youth resilience programs.
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https://fourcornerscoaching.com.au/

Leadership Horsepower
Equine Alliance partners with Leadership Horsepower lead Facilitator Stuart Harrison to deliver world-class leadership and corporate development programs.
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https://leadershiphorsepower.com/

Contact and location

Hazel Larard Centre
79 Hunchy Road
Palmwoods, 4555
Sunshine Coast
Queensland