Stable Therapy

For Occupational and Equine Assisted Therapy

"The Key to Well Being is Well Doing"

About

Gail completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy) at Auckland University of Technology in 2001. She has since worked across both New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a range of mental health settings, including community-based services, inpatient units, and forensic environments.

In 2010, Gail completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 2021. She also holds additional training and certifications in a range of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches, somatic interventions, family therapy, and solution-focused therapy. This diverse training supports a flexible, integrative, and client-centered approach to practice.

Gail is a dedicated horsewoman with a longstanding interest in the horse–human relationship. This passion led her to become Advanced Dual Certified as both a Mental Health Professional and Equine Specialist with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).
She is also a student of the Equusoma model of Horse–Human Trauma Recovery, which integrates Polyvagal Theory and Attachment Theory with somatic and mindfulness-based approaches to support trauma recovery for both humans and horses.
Professional Registration and Provider Status
  • New Zealand Occupational Therapy Board Registration Number: 50-03798
  • ACC Provider Number: 12CPFA
Professional Memberships
  • New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists
  • Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapists
  • Adventure Therapy Aotearoa
  • New Zealand Association of Family Therapy
  • Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
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Services

Therapy Services

Gail supports individuals experiencing a range of mental health and wellbeing concerns, including anxiety, social phobia, panic disorder, rider anxiety, depression, low mood, neurodiversity-related challenges, trauma, and addiction-related issues. She provides a supportive and guided therapeutic process that enables clients to explore the underlying factors contributing to their experiences. Therapy is tailored to the individual, with a focus on building insight, strengthening self-agency, and supporting meaningful, sustainable change. Sessions are available online, in stable-based settings, and in natural outdoor environments.

Equine Assisted Services

Gail is Advanced Certified in the EAGALA Model as both a Mental Health Professional and an Equine Specialist, and has worked in this specialist field for over fifteen years. Recognising that not everyone feels comfortable with traditional office-based talking therapies, equine-assisted therapy offers a meaningful and effective alternative approach. Gail is a member of Adventure Therapy Aotearoa and integrates animals, nature, and experiential approaches into her therapeutic work. She has a strong belief in the unique capacity of horses to reflect and respond to human nervous system states, supporting clients to develop greater awareness, regulation, and positive change through lived experience. Equine-Assisted Services Available EAGALA Model Equine-Assisted Therapy Delivered in partnership with Aspire Therapy and based at RDA Welcome Bay, this service is available for individuals, groups, and families. Equine-Assisted Therapy (CBT- and ACT-informed) Limited paddock- and horse-based sessions are available in Whakamarama, supporting individuals experiencing mood difficulties, anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation challenges. Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy Combines traditional occupational therapy interventions with meaningful, goal-directed activities involving horses to support improved functional outcomes and greater independence. Why Horses? Many individuals—particularly those with a history of trauma—can find office-based talking therapies too direct or emotionally overwhelming. Working alongside horses in an arena or paddock setting allows therapy to unfold experientially and in the present moment. This approach supports clients to engage more gently, connecting with themselves and the horses on a somatic level, with careful facilitation and support. Through this process, clients can begin to identify and soften the barriers that may be holding them back, develop deeper insight and self-awareness, and build pathways for moving forward. Horses offer powerful, non-judgmental feedback and are exceptional teachers of presence, emotional tolerance, and regulation—creating opportunities for healing, growth, and post-traumatic development.

Supervision/Mentoring/Life and Career Coaching

*Clinical Supervision for Mental Health Professionals *Practice Supervision for Equine Specialists *Mentoring for setting up your own Equine Assisted Therapy/Development Program *Coaching to work out the 'next steps' in your life or career, using the Coach Approach Note: Sessions available online/in person

Sensory Assessments

Sensory assessments available for those aged 11 years and over utilizing the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile. You will be asked to complete a 60 item questionnaire, answer some questions regarding your current occupational performance and will be provided a report of your sensory preferences and recommendations.

Contact

  • Whakamārama, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Please contact for prices - packages available.