The Pod Community
“We don't heal in isolation, but in community.”
― S. Kelley Harrell, Gift of the Dreamtime - Reader's Companion
Equine Mental Health Practitioners work both individually and collaboratively (with either horses, llamas or other humans) at The Therapy Pod offering a variety of services. Each individual brings different skills and energy with interests lying in different areas.
"I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap."
- Ani DiFranco
This page provides information about both the human and animal members of The Pod Community.
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Jane Ashton
Founded The Therapy Pod in 2019
Jane started her career studying a double degree in Law and Environmental Science. It was in her capacity as a solicitor running the Pro Bono Scheme for the Law Society of NSW that Jane felt frustrated at her inability to assist clients with their mental health issues and watched vulnerable clients fall through the cracks in the system. During this period of her life, Jane struggled to maintain the high stress of life as a big city lawyer, so spent her weekend working (recharging) as a Park Ranger at Manly Dam.
After motherhood, and searching for change Jane made the move from law to the music industry and co-founded Footstomp Music (alongside her husband - a veteran in the music industry) working with many great Australian artists including Busby Marou, Tia Gostelow, Amy Shark, Glenn Richards (Augie March) & more. Again, Jane became frustrated by the overwhelming need for mental health issues to be addressed and supported within the industry - and her own mental health issues suppressed and bubbling underneath the surface.
Constantly drawn towards her deep connection with nature and animals, Jane moved her family from the city to a property overlooking the mountains in the stunning Tallebudgera Valley - where she began her own personal journey of self discovery and healing.
The therapeutic power of nature, art and animals inspired her to explore her vocation as a therapist. Jane began her deep dive into mental health completing her studies as a Counsellor specialised in Equine Assisted Therapy. The Therapy Pod was founded in 2019, and her professional development deepened with further studies in trauma informed sandplay and symbol work, followed by Somatic Attachment Focused Expressive Therapies.
Jane is a neurodivergent therapist (counsellor / psychotherapist ) with lived experience in C-PTSD, major depressive disorder, ADHD, autism (PDA profile), dyslexia, dyscalculia, addiction, separation and chronic pain (fibromyalgia & osteoarthritis). She is a mother to three remarkable neurodivergent children (a tween and teens) and caretaker of 7 horses, 8 llamas, 3 goats, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 guinea pigs, a blue tongue lizard, a couple of chooks and a pink cockatoo.
For decades, in various capacities, Jane has worked with vulnerable clients. Her special interests lie in trauma and neurodiversity.
Jane describes her therapeutic process as:
relational (with the self, therapist and the animals), creating safety and building rapport in the therapeutic relationship;
overlayed with the lens of attachment theory, helping people create security in their attachments;
emotion focused and client-centered, working with clients to connect with their emotions and to feel safe to express them (often using creative arts or expressive therapy);
somatic / body based approach, focusing on nervous system regulation and creating felt sense of safety in the body.
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Neisha Cass
Neisha Cass Counselling + Equine Assisted Therapy
Neisha Cass is a highly skilled Equine Assisted Therapist, Counsellor, and Psychotherapist committed to guiding individuals on their journey of personal growth and healing. Drawing from her own experiences with C-PTSD, fatigue, neurodiversity, and burnout, Neisha's passion for helping others has led her to explore therapeutic modalities beyond traditional talk therapy.
With a deep understanding of the power of expressive therapies and somatic counseling, Neisha integrates these approaches with nature and Animal/Equine Assisted Therapy to offer a unique and holistic path to healing. She believes in the profound impact of creativity, expression, and awareness of our internal body states on living an authentic life.
Neisha creates a warm and safe space for her clients to share their stories and embark on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Through her guidance, clients build self-confidence, gain awareness, rediscover their strengths, and work towards self led positive change in all aspects of their lives.
Utilising person-centered, evidence-based practices, Neisha empowers and affirms her clients. She incorporates Internal Family Systems, Expressive Therapies, and Neuro Affirming techniques, providing a nurturing, non-directive environment where stories and experiences are held gently. In this space, each person is made to feel welcome, whole, and valued.
Please be aware that while Neisha engages with the horses, her approach to Equine Assisted Therapy does not center around teaching natural horsemanship or horseback riding. In her methodology, the horses are not utilised as active participants; rather, they contribute to the therapeutic environment, playing a valuable role without the necessity of haltering and leading them around. During our therapy sessions, the horses are free to interact naturally. It is crucial to avoid coercing the horses into participating; they have the autonomy to move towards or away based on their individual needs. This aligns with the same consideration and safety extended to her clients.
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Tracey Johnson
My psychotherapy career began at Lifeline as a volunteer 2003. I enjoyed counselling so much I trained as a facilitator and later a supervisor. At the time Lifeline offered their volunteers many short courses in therapeutic modalities such as NLP, Art therapy, Focusing and EFT Tapping. I did every course I could and also studied my Diploma in Community Welfare Work/Counselling.
In addition to traditional study, I completed courses in Reiki (Reiki Master) and Meditation.
In 2008 I suddenly started having anxiety and panic attacks. I couldn’t eat. I could barely swallow and I lost a great deal of weight. I was overwhelmed by everything. This experience forced me to stop and focus on getting myself well. I had spent so long learning how to help others. This was the time to put all my learning into practice, to help myself. I journaled, I did art therapy, Reiki and had therapy. I was diagnosed with PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It took a good 2 years before I could eating normally again. I found, through those years, a great deal of support came from my family, friends and animals - my dogs and my horses especially. I spent many hours just sitting with them, and receiving their unconditional love.
This experience has taught me the importance of self care, boundaries and giving ourselves time and space. Discovering and developing resources, support and a holistic approach with a somatic (body based) focus is worked for me.
I went on to complete a Bachelor of Counselling and Masters in Gestalt Therapy.
I have also completed training in
- Family Constellation Therapy
- Trauma Informed Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Work
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Mental Health.
I volunteer for a charity Broken to Brilliant - supporting Domestic Violence Survivors.
Meet the Horses
