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HEART Program

HEART Program – Healing Equine Art Resilience Therapy is for families  and individuals impacted by domestic and family violence.

Equine Assisted Therapy component of the HEART program

 

Equine Assisted Therapy is a professional, creative and experiential approach used to support and help people work through the aftermath effects of abuse. Horses offer an opportunity to build an authentic, trust- based relationship which can be very healing. The unique bond between the horse and the individual allows for painful experiences to be processed. Studies show a significant decrease in post-traumatic stress disorder after equine-assisted therapy. 

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The art therapy component of the ‘HEART’ program

The art therapy component of the ‘HEART’ program utilises a published children’s book ‘Charming Charlie and the Spectacular Sophia’ together with the accompanying workbook which was developed with the assistance of Education Queensland staff.  The novel follows the two main characters, Charlie and Sophia through the experiences of bullying and how they build resilience together and create positive change in their school.  It is a book about kindness, empathy and hope.  The workbook includes multi-modal activities that assist children and adults to understand the issues of bullying behaviour and the associated emotions by containing them within art applications, storytelling, activities, music and song woven into an informative and fun packed activities for children and their parents.  

Videos and Podcasts

To find out more, watch one of our videos or listen to our podcast on our YouTube channel.  There are lots of fun photos in the gallery below. 

2023 HEART Program Dates

Broken to Brilliant is honoured to be working with The Therapy Pod and the program facilitators for the HEART program. For 2023 we are looking for a philanthropic supporter.

Registration is essential for each session, wear closed-in shoes and bring a hat. Be ready to meet horses, llamas, and other animals, use lots of art materials and meet our friendly and caring program facilitators. Click the links below to register:

 

  1. 25th February  

  2. 11th March

  3. 6th May

  4. 15th July

  5. 9th September 

  6. 21st October  

These HEART sessions fill up fast, so book in now.

Thank you to the CommBank Staff Foundation Community Grant for their funding support for the 2022 HEART program. 

For more Broken to Brilliant survivor-led programs such as DVART, Steps to Rebuild your life, and Survivor to Thriver mentoring, click more programs

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Meet your HEART Program Facilitators

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Tracey is an Equine Assisted Therapist, Trauma Informed Psychotherapist and Counsellor. Tracey has over 20 years’ experience working in the field of therapy. She is a domestic violence survivor herself and is passionate about helping others to reconnect in a safe place. 

Contact Tracey via her website :  https://majcounsellingandtherapies.com.au/

Tracey with her beautiful horse 

Fiona has been working in the greater community for over 35 years as an accredited trainer, community consultant, children’s author and art therapist. Her main focus has been women and children; assisting women to be the best version of themselves and teaching children about kindness, empathy and resilience. 

Contact Fiona via her website: https://fionaware.com.au/ 

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Fiona Ware - Art Therapist, Educator, Author 

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Jamie is a survivor, an author, an artist and a carer of young people with trauma & mental illness from Domestic Abuse. Jamie is an Advocate & Mentor for Child & Youth Mental Health, Trauma Informed Practice & Domestic Abuse Prevention and provides Carer Peer Support to Mums whose young people have trauma & mental health issues. Also Jamie facilitates programs for Children’s Social & Emotional well-being & Adolescent Respectful Relationships + Domestic Abuse Prevention Currently Jamie is co-developing a program aimed at Post Traumatic Growth & Parenting for women after Domestic Abuse. 

Jamie - Author, Survivor, Artist, Advocate 

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