Animal Assisted Therapy

At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, we provide Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) for children, adolescents and adults across the Sutherland Shire.

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Animal Assisted Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that intentionally includes a trained therapy dog as part of psychological therapy. The presence of a therapy dog can support engagement, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and help create a sense of safety within sessions.

For some people, traditional talk therapy can feel overwhelming or difficult to access. Animal Assisted Therapy can help reduce physiological signs of stress, support emotional regulation, and make therapy feel more approachable.

Animal Assisted Therapy may support people experiencing:

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• trauma or emotional distress

• anxiety or low mood

• difficulty engaging in traditional therapy

• low motivation or withdrawal

• neurodivergent experiences, including autism or ADHD

​Animal Assisted Therapy can be particularly beneficial within trauma therapy or adolescent counselling, where building trust and safety is essential.

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Charmaine, a registered mental health clinician with formal training and accreditation in Animal Assisted Therapy, works alongside Sebastian, a certified therapy dog. Together, they help create a calm and welcoming environment that supports connection and trust.

Older adults may also benefit from Animal Assisted Therapy. The presence of a therapy dog can reduce feelings of loneliness, ease anxiety, and encourage social interaction. For people living with dementia or memory changes, interacting with a therapy animal may provide comfort and moments of calm.

Learn more on our Conditions We Work With page or explore therapy options on our Our Services page.

If you’re unsure whether Animal Assisted Therapy is suitable, our Client Care Team can assist. Call 02 8519 4197 or use the button below to request an appointment.