About Berkman Academy

Berkman Academy provides counselling for children, young people and adults in outdoor settings alongside horses. Our approach is ground-based — there is no horse riding.

We are expanding across Melbourne and are looking for qualified counsellors who would like to be trained in the Berkman Academy equine-assisted therapy model.

You do not need to already be an equine-assisted therapist. We will train you.

The Role

This is a casual position, initially offering approximately 1–2 days per week at one of our equine locations.

A typical day will initially involve approximately 2–3 clients, with the opportunity for the caseload to grow as the location develops.

You will provide individual counselling sessions using horses, nature and experiential activities as part of the therapeutic process.

We aim to match practitioners with a Berkman Academy location close to where they live.

Current Priority: Melbourne's West

We are currently particularly interested in practitioners based in Melbourne's west, including Sunbury, Diggers Rest and surrounding areas.

However, Berkman Academy is expanding across Melbourne, and we welcome applications from suitable practitioners in other areas for current and future locations.

What We're Looking For

You will need

- A recognised counselling, psychology, social work or relevant mental-health qualification
- Eligibility for appropriate skilled membership or registration
- Current Working With Children Check




- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, or willingness to obtain it
- Confidence working independently with clients
- A genuine interest in experiential and nature-based therapy
- Willingness to complete Berkman Academy's equine-assisted therapy training

Horse experience is highly desirable. If you have owned horses, worked professionally with horses, competed, volunteered around horses or have substantial practical horse experience, we particularly want to hear from you.

Berkman Academy Training

Successful practitioners will undertake training in the Berkman Academy model before independently delivering equine-assisted sessions.

Training covers our therapeutic framework, working safely alongside horses, session structure, risk management and the practical application of equine-assisted interventions.

Who This Could Suit

This role may particularly suit a counsellor who already has private practice or other employment and would like to add one or two days of equine-assisted clinical work to their week.

Berkman Academy brings together the location, horses, systems and client pipeline, allowing practitioners to focus on clinical work rather than establishing their own equine facility.

Apply

Please apply with your CV and a short introduction covering:

- Your counselling or mental-health qualifications
- Your suburb
- Your current availability
- Your horse experience
- Why equine-assisted therapy interests you

📌 Counsellor, to be trained as an Equine-Assisted Therapist (Melbourne)
🏢 Berkman Academy
📍 Melbourne