Maxime Willems - Therapy & Training

06/08/2026

It can deeply move me, reading about how our sessions impact some and the meaning they hold for them. 🩵🪷🐴

01/08/2026

Younger participants come to equine-assisted therapy for a variety of reasons. Along the way, sessions can naturally become a space to explore social awareness, play, meaningful friendships, personal boundaries, emotional awareness, safety, literacy and expression.

In one of today’s session, there was a focus on noticing, “What is my mood like right now? My energy? What feelings am I bringing to the session?”
“What is the horse’s mood like right now?”
“How and where do I feel safe?” “What helps the horses feel safe right here?”
“What are my needs right now?”
“What might the horses need or want?”

The participant noticed excitement, wanting to play, wanting to move. She wanted others to follow her, show interest in her.

At the same time, we observed a gentle contrast in the horses … calmness, standing quietly, yawning, sighing, shaking, soft eyes, head lowered…

They were still choosing to come towards us, following, standing closely. And then would rest, soften their body, muscles, gaze, …

This opened up a beautiful conversation around how we can honour both our own needs and the needs of others. How can we still meet our need for play while also respecting that someone else may need something different?

In slowing down she noticed similarities between them, and how they organically moved into a similar energy …

How she uses a calming app at home and how the rain sound feels so soothing, also right here and now, for both her and the horses.
How sighing like the horses felt fun and made her laugh.
How when she started to play, the horses were interested in her game, and how their energy lifted.

We integrated all of this with becoming curious about her friends and her family relationships. What feels familiar, what feels new? What did we learn about ourselves and what about others?

A small glimpse into a session with a participant who has now been coming for three or four sessions, and a reminder of how much can unfold through slowing down, noticing, and simply being with the horses.

26/07/2026

🌿 Monday Yoga – Everyone Welcome 🌿

A warm and friendly reminder that we'll be gathering for yoga tomorrow (Monday) at 5:30 PM in the hall next to the church in Wardell Neighbourhood Centre.

We've been sharing these weekly sessions for nearly four years now, and over that time we've grown into a warm, welcoming group of locals who simply enjoy practising yoga together.

Last week we were so happy to welcome some new faces, and it would be wonderful to see even more people join us. Whether you've never tried yoga before, you're returning after some time away, or you've been practising for years, there's a place for you here.

If you've been thinking about coming along, consider this your invitation. Come as you are. An hour to reconnect with your body, quiet the mind, and be a part of a supportive community.

Class options:
• $150 for a 10-class pass
• $20 casual drop-in

Although our first class of this 10week series was last week, anyone joining from tomorrow can purchase the remaining 9 classes for $135.

Book via Humanitix or pay cash at the door.

Come as you are. We'd love to welcome you into our little yoga community. 💛

https://events.humanitix.com/traditional-hatha-yoga-with-maxime-willems

Neighbourhood Group

Take time each week to reconnect with your body, calm your mind and support your overall wellbeing, with weekly gentle, traditional Hatha Yoga classes.

21/07/2026

Have you been holding it all together for everyone else?

Perhaps you’re navigating a separation, recovering from burnout, living with illness, grieving a loss, or finding yourself in a season of life you never expected.

We offer holistic, nature-based counselling and psychotherapy in partnership with horses, a gentle, trauma-informed approach that supports you to reconnect with yourself, your body, and what truly matters to you.

Current availability:
🪷Tuesdays (fortnightly): 9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
🪷Thursdays (fortnightly): 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

Sessions are held in a peaceful natural setting just outside Ballina.

If something in these words resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.

21/07/2026

Have you been holding it all together for everyone else?

Perhaps you’re navigating a separation, recovering from burnout, living with illness, grieving a loss, or finding yourself in a season of life you never expected.

I offer holistic, nature-based counselling and psychotherapy in partnership with horses, a gentle, trauma-informed approach that supports you to reconnect with yourself, your body, and what truly matters for you.

Current availability:
🩵 Tuesdays (fortnightly): 9:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
🩵 Thursdays (fortnightly): 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

Sessions are held in a peaceful natural setting just outside Ballina.

If something in these words resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.

19/07/2026

Today I heard something that stayed with me:

“It’s going to keep showing up in your relationships over and over again unless you become aware of it. But when you’re aware of it and conscious of it, it becomes an opportunity to heal.”

Awareness doesn’t erase our patterns.

It gives us a choice.

The moment we notice what keeps repeating is the moment healing can begin.