MEET THE TEAM
Fam Charko – Equine Assisted Therapy
Fam Charko (MSc Biology – sp. Ecology; Dip. Couns.) is an Equine & Nature Assisted Therapist and registered Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association. She qualified with the Equine & Animal Assisted Psychotherapy Institute in 2019 and has been practising at Melbourne Equine Therapy & Creativity since 2021.
A trained Ecologist, Counsellor, she has life-long partnered with horses. Fam understands the interconnection between people and nature on a deeply somatic level. She collaborates with her animal colleagues to help people uncover more of their authentic self, and to help them improve the choices they make in their lives.
Fam works with a variety of clients, including those living with mental health challenges, neurodivergence (including ASD clients with PDA profiles), LGBTIQA+, disadvantaged backgrounds and trauma survivors. She works in a culturally sensitive, inclusive, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed way.
Work with Fam on goals like building self-esteem and confidence, awareness of self and others, emotional literacy and development, emotional regulation, grief, boundaries, leadership development, self-development and personal growth, problem solving, connecting with nature and various other goals.
Tee O’Neill – Equine Assisted Learning
Since 2018 Tee has been facilitating EAL sessions with a variety of clients including adolescents, veterans, NDIS recipients, asylum seekers and young people in out of home care. Tee, along with the herd of horses, offers group programs that support people to reconnect with their deeper nature and their inner calm to nurture their creative power and wellbeing.
Tee O’Neill undertook research through La Trobe University into equine wellbeing.
She is also an accomplished playwright with a PhD in creative writing. Tee particularly loves combining her two passions of EAL and creativity by running group retreats. Popular weekend retreats include Creativity with Horses and Writing with Horses.
Tamir Berkman – Equine Assisted Therapy
Tamir is a skilled Equine Therapist with a diploma in counselling and an Equine Assisted Learning certification. He is dedicated to supporting clients on their journey towards self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal growth.
Tamir works with NDIS participants, helping them manage challenges like anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD, and social skills development, while also fostering confidence and self-expression. His compassionate approach ensures tailored support for children, teens, and adults, meeting their unique needs.
With a unique background as a veteran, Tamir also focuses on helping veterans navigate trauma, PTSD, and the transition to civilian life. Additionally, he works with corporate clients to enhance teamwork, communication, leadership, and collaboration within their teams.
Sessions can be tailored for individuals or small groups, with options available for both private and corporate settings.
Rachel Hatherley – Equine Assisted Learning
Rachel works with both NDIS clients, adults, young people and anyone curious about horses. Rachel aims to create a supportive, informative and inclusive environment for experiential and relational learning. Rachel is passionate about supporting bonds between young people and their guardians through the promotion of clear communication and emotional intelligence modelled instinctually by the horses.
Yonina Smith – Equine Assisted Therapy
Nina Smith is a registered Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. Her interest is in working with children and supporting their parent in parenting. She trained in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy through the Equine Psychotherapy Institute. She has had the pleasure and honour to have spent the majority of my career supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children and families. This has enabled her to work in various remote and urban locations across Australia. She has a passion for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Annabel Showers – Equine Assisted Therapy
Annabel is a passionate animal lover, mum of 2 beautiful children and a registered Counsellor and Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. Having horses from a young age, Annabel quickly became aware of how healing horses can be. Annabel’s key areas of interest are building self-esteem, increasing awareness, regulation techniques, relationship building, anxiety and boundary setting.
Annabel’s mission is to provide an honest, practical and healing approach to everyday life and mental health issues such a PTSD, trauma, social anxiety, confidence issues, OCD and suicide prevention to name a few. Annabel works with children, teens, and adults both privately and NDIS clients. Sessions can be offered individually or in small groups (both private and corporate groups can be catered for).
Alan Jager – Music Therapy and Office based psychotherapy.
(Dr) Alan Jager is a forensic psychiatrist of over 25 years experience.
Tee and Alan have been developing the 68-acre property known as “Piggery Hill” since 2013. Just one hour from Melbourne, it is a former piggery that backs onto the Yellingbo Conservation Area, home of Victoria’s emblems, the Leadbeater Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater. They fell in love with its scenic beauty and wildlife and the potential of the industrial buildings.Together, they have transformed a former factory farm into an equine centre with horse-safe post and rail fencing, an arena, round yard and stables. They have gradually reintroduced native plants and restored waterways. In short, a haven for humans and horses.
Melbourne Equine Therapy on Piggery Hill is a special place, waiting for you to visit.
