ABOUT US

Our Story

Groundwork Therapy’s story is also Kylie’s story. Kylie experienced the transformative power of working with horses firsthand a long time ago. She learned how these incredible animals can teach us awareness, to trust them and ourselves, stay grounded, and take responsibility. These profound lessons changed Kylie’s life and also inspired her to delve deeper into the science of equine therapy and share this knowledge with others so they too could experience it.

Pursuing her passions, Kylie completed her psychology studies and became a registered psychologist. She also travelled to Arizona to train with Barbara Rector and Shelley Rosenberg, gaining invaluable insights in the field of equine therapy, specifically the AIA Invitational Approach™. Since then Kylie founded Groundwork Therapy and has dedicated herself to increasing her knowledge and skills to safely bridge the worlds of horses and humans.

Kylie is profoundly grateful for her herd—Phoebe, Monkey, Doc, Joker, Bolt and Jasper—who have joined her over the past 20 years and continue to teach and shape her work in Australia.

Our Vision & Mission

Groundwork Therapy believes that by teaching the process of invitational framework we can best empower humans to safely and effectively tend to their own lives, emotional wellbeing and relationships.

Groundwork Therapy is improving mental health in communities across Australia, from Melbourne to the more rural and remote. Our equine facilitated training and personal development programs centre around giving the experience of the human-horse connection. This is a powerful concept that allows the individual new insights and an opportunity for self-growth and expanded awareness.

Over the past few years Kylie has redefined herself as a trainor, as well as a therapist and registered psychologist, providing high-quality training and accreditation for the next generation of equine practitioners and therapists. Groundwork now has multiple facets, offering equine therapy sessions for clients, training for those pursuing or furthering their career in equine therapy, as well as providing traditional psychology sessions via the Groundwork psychology clinic in Victoria.

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Our Teaching Team

At Groundwork Therapy, we’re so fortunate to work and collaborate with a talented, dedicated and passionate teaching team. Our instructors bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, ensuring a transformative learning journey for all our participants. With a deep commitment to the well-being of both humans and horses while providing exceptional training in equine-facilitated learning.

Kylie Peters - Founder

Psychologist, Family Therapist, Trainer, Equine Therapist

Kylie Peters brings together her extensive expertise in mental health and equine therapy with her deep love for horses. She works with young people, families, and adults, working in family therapy, eating disorders, and trauma. Kylie's approach to therapy is practical and applied, focused on helping individuals increase their self-awareness and improve their relationships with themselves.

Since 2007, Kylie has been leading equine-facilitated therapy and personal development workshops across Australia. She developed the invitational practitioner framework model for equine-facilitated therapy, establishing herself as a leader in the field. Endorsed by Barbara Rector, Kylie is authorised to run AIA training programs in Australia.

Kylie is dedicated to teaching and advancing the practice of working safely and therapeutically in outdoor spaces with horses and nature.

Scott and Lindee McNaughton

Scott and Lindee McNaughton have played an instrumental role in co-developing the teaching component for horse safety and understanding the horse’s perspective at Groundwork Therapy. They have developed a framework for teaching and helping your horse get in a training frame of mind that aligns with the invitational framework for humans, ensuring the safety and well-being of both.

Scott and Lindee bring a lifetime of experience to horses, and are fundamental to our programs. Groundwork Therapy feels immensely honoured to have Scott and Lindee contribute their expertise in teaching how to give the horses a better deal and horse safety to aspiring practitioners. They have an incredible framework developed for helping your horse co-facilitators be in a training frame of mind and heart. Helping build better relationships between humans and their horses. Their co teaching adds invaluable wisdom and insight into the practitioner training programs. They are making the industry overall a better place for both humans and horses.

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Alice Allen

PhD, GradCert Gestalt Therapy, Groundwork Therapy Graduate, YTT 200hrs

Alice Allen brings a rich background in languages, communication, and social documentary filmmaking to Groundwork Therapy. After training with Kylie Peters in the Groundwork Therapy and Adventures in Awareness models of Equine Facilitated Learning, Alice joined our teaching team as an accredited facilitator in 2023.

Alice is also trained in experiential and process-driven methods of learning. Her special areas of interest include the impact of embodied and mindful practices such as yoga, dance, and art on mental health and wellbeing. She is also well-versed in Gestalt Therapy, group work, and Polyvagal Theory. We are truly fortunate to have Alice and the wisdom she brings to our teaching team.

Collaborators

Adventureworks

Groundwork Therapy has been collaborating with Ben Knowles, Anita Pryor, Pete Rae, and their colleagues at Adventureworks for over 10 years. Together, they have co-developed a practice framework and trained practitioners to uphold safety standards for all involved. We are thrilled to have them co-teach training sessions on trauma-informed practice, polyvagal theory, and best practice frameworks.

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Frequently Asked Questions