Welcome to Embrace Counselling Services

Hi, I'm Laurie

I grew up on a large property in Northern NSW, where horses played a central role in my life, especially throughout my teenage years. I spent hours with my horses and dogs, re-enacting scenes from The Man from Snowy River, Phar Lap, or simply brushing my horses until they gleamed. My deep connection with animals led me to become a jillaroo, putting my horse skills to practical use on the land.

In my early adulthood, I was drawn to the bright lights of Sydney, before embarking on an international journey that took me to many countries, spending extended time in Canada and the U.K. 

I returned to Australia some 11 years later with my new family and our blue healer dog, Tilly.

During my time in Sydney, I qualified as a dental and oral hygiene instruction nurse and also worked in the hospitality industry. 

While in Canada, I worked with horses and had the unforgettable experience of riding in the Canadian Rockies. In England, I combined dental nursing (including for the Ministry of Defence) and hospitality to give me the flexibility to travel. I then went on to launch my own interior accessories stores and later became part of an international candle company.

Today, I live with my husband and two daughters on a peaceful semi rural property. We are the custodians of five beautiful horses, dogs, chickens, ducks and a pig. 

When I'm not supporting clients through Embrace Counselling Services,  I can be found caring for our animals, studying, managing an agistment property, or helping with admin for the family’s insulation business.

My passion for people has been a constant throughout my life. I bring warmth, compassion, and genuine care to my work, offering a safe and nurturing space for others to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves, with others, and with nature.

I am a qualified Counsellor and Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner offering individual sessions to children, teenagers, and adults who are seeking to improve their overall wellbeing or address concerns impacting their mental health. 

My approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice, providing a safe, supportive space where choice, collaboration, and emotional exploration are central to the therapeutic process.

Together, we work to build healthy coping skills, deepen self-awareness, and support your own growth and healing journey.

Why Horses?

Working alongside horses offers a unique and powerful therapeutic experience. Horses bring presence, honesty, and empathy, creating a space where clients can explore emotions, develop regulation skills, and experience connection without judgment. 

All activities are ground-based and adapted to meet individual comfort levels and therapeutic goals.

By stepping outside the traditional therapy room and into nature, our sessions incorporate elements of talk therapy, grounding exercises, mindfulness, and the natural world. 

The inclusion of horses and at times other animals, helps to expand the therapeutic space and enhance the client–therapist relationship through shared experiences and mutual trust.

Our Setting
Embrace Counselling Services is located in a peaceful pocket of rural land near Tygum Lagoon in Waterford West, Queensland.

Easily accessible from nearby transport and motorway links. Plenty of off road parking available.

Nestled between the lagoon and the river, the setting offers a beautiful, nature-rich environment where native birds often visit, adding another layer to your therapy experience.