Grief changes us. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Grief touches every part of our lives. It can affect our relationships, our sense of identity, our physical health, our confidence, our purpose and our ability to find joy in everyday life. Whether your loss is recent or many years old, grief has a way of staying with us until it is acknowledged, understood and gently supported.

At Stable & Nook, we offer a unique approach to grief support that combines professional counselling with the wisdom and presence of horses. In a peaceful rural setting surrounded by nature, Equine Assisted Grief Counselling provides a safe and compassionate space to explore your grief, honour your loss and discover a pathway forward.

A Different Way to Work Through Grief

Many people find that traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but sometimes words alone are not enough. Grief is not only experienced in the mind. It lives in the body, the nervous system, our relationships and our sense of self. Horses offer a unique opportunity to explore these experiences in a gentle, experiential way.

As highly intuitive herd animals, horses respond honestly and without judgement. They do not ask us to explain our grief or justify our emotions. Instead, they meet us exactly where we are. Through guided interactions with horses, clients often gain new insights into their emotions, patterns, relationships and capacity for healing. The horses become partners in the process, offering immediate feedback, connection and opportunities for reflection that can be difficult to access through conversation alone.

No horse experience is required.

Grief Comes in Many Forms

While many people associate grief with the death of a loved one, grief can arise from any significant loss or life change.

You may be grieving:

• The death of a partner, child, parent, sibling or friend
• Pregnancy or infant loss
• Separation or divorce
• Loss of health or independence
• Loss of identity, purpose or career
• Trauma and life-changing events
• Changes associated with ageing
• Family estrangement
• The loss of a beloved animal companion
• Dreams and hopes that never came to be

Whatever your loss, your grief is valid and deserving of support.

Our Approach

Our grief counselling services integrate:

• Equine Assisted Therapy
• Evidence-based grief counselling
• The teachings and framework of David Kessler
• Trauma-informed practice
• Mindfulness and somatic awareness
• Compassionate, person-centred support

Sessions are tailored to your individual needs, recognising that every grief journey is unique. There is no timeline, no expectation to “move on”, and no pressure to grieve in a particular way.

Instead, we create space for healing, meaning-making and learning how to carry grief while continuing to live a meaningful life.

Why Horses?

Horses have an extraordinary ability to help us slow down, become present and reconnect with ourselves. Their sensitivity to body language, emotions and energy encourages authenticity and self-awareness. They often reflect what we may not yet have words for, helping us explore emotions safely and without judgement.

Clients frequently describe feeling calmer, more grounded and more connected after spending time with the horses.

For many people, the horses become a source of comfort, acceptance and hope during one of life’s most difficult seasons.

Who Is This Service For?

Equine Assisted Grief Counselling may be beneficial for people experiencing:

• Recent bereavement
• Complicated or prolonged grief
• Anticipatory grief
• Traumatic loss
• Feelings of isolation and loneliness
• Anxiety associated with grief
• Difficulty adjusting to life after loss
• Loss of identity or purpose
• Emotional overwhelm
• A desire for a more experiential approach to healing

No previous experience with horses is necessary.

Meet Your Practitioner

Larissa is a qualified counsellor, Equine Assisted Therapy practitioner and David Kessler Accredited Grief Educator. Having experienced profound personal loss herself, she understands that grief is not something to be fixed but something to be witnessed, supported and integrated.

Her approach combines professional expertise with genuine compassion, creating a safe environment where clients feel heard, understood and supported as they navigate their unique grief journey.

Begin Your Healing Journey

Grief changes us, but it does not have to define us.

Whether your loss is recent or many years old, Equine Assisted Grief Counselling offers a gentle and supportive space to reconnect with yourself, honour your loved one and discover hope for the future.

We invite you to book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call to discuss your needs and explore whether this approach feels right for you.