Michaela has been a qualified counsellor for 14 years and an equine therapist for 9 years, Michaela is also a EQUUSOMA Practitioner and a Somatic Experiencing student. Michaela is also trained in Nature-Assisted Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, Somatic trauma therapy, Reiki (level 2 practitioner), Kundalini yoga and Autism and ADHD awareness for therapists.

What makes The Heard Therapy so special is that Michaela is very passionate about working with individuals as individuals, getting to know and value the unique qualities each person has, and meeting clients on a person-to-person level as they are in the moment.

Michaela’s client base includes young people from age 11 up to adults, mostly those who have experienced trauma, in luding complex trauma and developmental trauma and those who belong to the neurodivergence community &/or LGBTQ+ community. The Heard Therapy provides a place of safety and security based upon Michaela’s passion for inclusion, which is the Heard Therapy’s central ethos.

Michaela’s own personal journey with horses supporting her in her life, helped to devolop her passion, from directly experiencing the supportive connection that can be offered by our equine partners. Michaela’s passion for inclusion and safety extends to the wellbeing of the horses to ensure authenticity and choice for human and equine in connection between horses and the clients to build relationships of trust and reciprocity. This helps to develop growing resilience and confidence in both the horse and the client, empowering equines, and empowering people.”

Georgia is a qualified counsellor with a deep commitment to supporting individuals on their path of self-discovery and healing. Her training is grounded in an integrative approach, with a leaning towards the person-centred philosophy. This allows her to work flexibly, taking into account each client’s unique needs and experiences.

Throughout her training and practice, Georgia has gained valuable experience working with clients facing a range of challenges, including addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. She understands how overwhelming these issues can feel and offers a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace.

Georgia believes that feeling truly heard is the foundation of a strong therapeutic relationship. She offers compassion, respect, and empathy as clients progress along their journey — whether that’s a short, focused look at a specific issue or a longer-term exploration of life and experiences.

Georgia offers room-based sessions near Ilminster and also now offers Equine Assisted Therapy after completing 6 months training with Michaela

Nico who is Michaela’s partner, shares her passion and commitment to The Heard Therapy. As a qualified project manager, Nico is responsible for the majority of the administration duties, including management of The Heard Therapy’s finances.

As well as administration duties, you can often find Nico on site carrying out general maintenance, yard duties and aiding Michaela in meeting the welfare needs of the horses.

Never having had any experience with horses back in his native Italy, Nico could hardly have imagined that he would one day be the doting owner of five of them!

Tracy spent many of her teenage years helping at local stables and volunteering with Riding for the Disabled. After reducing her working hours in recruitment, she was keen to give back to her local community which led her to volunteering at The Heard Therapy in October 2022, assisting with horse care on a weekly basis.

After leaving full-time employment in October 2023, Tracy became a Director at The Heard Therapy. Alongside continuing to care for the horses, she took on responsibility for volunteer onboarding and administration, helping new volunteers feel welcomed, supported, and valued.

Tracy also manages The Heard Therapy's social media and supports with grant research and funding applications, helping to secure resources that enable us to continue and expand our work.

As our Events Coordinator, Tracy brings the team together for adventures beyond The Heard, helping to create opportunities for connection, fun, and growth.

Anne's journey in the equine world began after leaving school at 16 when she pursued a national diploma in horse care and management at an equine college in Northern Ireland. Despite her passion for horses, life led her away from regular involvement in the equestrian world, and she eventually lost confidence in her abilities, resigning herself to the idea that horses would no longer be a part of her life. A chance encounter on Facebook led Anne to The Heard Therapy, where she discovered a profound sense of fulfilment and belonging. In the nurturing and supportive environment provided by The Heard, Anne rediscovered her love for horses and gained confidence in herself once more. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, she took on administrative responsibilities and played a pivotal role in developing The Heard's fundraising strategy.

“Under Michaela’s guidance, I have been granted the freedom and support to explore my ideas, which has been instrumental in my personal growth journey”

Leah is our Groom and Yard Assistant at The Heard Therapy.

Having been around horses all her life and riding from a young age, Leah has always had a strong passion for the equine world. Wanting to become more involved professionally, she was delighted to join The Heard Therapy team.

Leah has a particular love for Welsh ponies, rare heavy horse breeds, and, at the complete opposite end of the scale, miniature ponies! It’s no surprise that Mr Darcy stole her heart from the very beginning as a typically handsome Welsh pony and he is enjoying plenty of extra grooming and massages from Leah to help support his medical needs.

Although Leah doesn’t have a horse of her own, she sponsors a miniature Shetland pony through Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue—the same rescue where our beloved ponies, Tigger and Gizmo, found their forever home.

We’re so lucky to have Leah as part of The Heard Therapy family, and we know both the horses and our team appreciate the care and dedication she brings every day.

Growing up in Oxfordshire, Clare has always retained her passion for the countryside, so for Clare becoming part of The Heard it allowed her to find independence from motherhood, a supportive community with shared values, and to rekindle her love for horses.

With a background in marketing, Clare is our marketing guru, she needs little encouragement to unleash her creativity on Canva, crafting captivating brochures and flyers to promote The Heard. Overflowing with ideas, her enthusiasm for The Heard knows no bounds. When does she have time for sleep?!

Among Darcy's admirers, Clare delights in quiet moments, offering him massages and plenty of cuddles.

Cath, a cherished member of our Sunday crew, serves as a carers group coordinator at Somerset Carers, bringing invaluable expertise in local fundraising to The Heard. We deeply appreciate her knowledge on sourcing and applying for funding, enriching our community with her experience.

Finding solace in the tranquillity of The Heard, Cath considers poo picking among her favourite tasks. For her, The Heard offers a haven to slow down, pause from the bustling life of a working mother, and simply relish the present moment.

Cath's heart melts for Tigger and Gizmo, often seen fussing over these little fellows with affection. What she treasures most about The Heard is the freedom to contribute her time whenever life permits, devoid of pressure or obligations. Knowing she's always welcomed with open arms, Cath finds comfort in the warm reception she receives every time she visits.

Meet Lou, Poster Woman for The Heard, embodying the transformative power of Michaela and the herd's work.

Lou's journey with The Heard began after enduring a series of seizures that ultimately led to brain surgery. Despite having parts of her brain removed, Lou embarked on the challenging path of rebuilding her life. The Heard became her steadfast ally in this journey, playing a monumental role in helping her navigate through emotional regulation and rebuilding.

Lou's presence is synonymous with inspiration at The Heard, her vibrant personality reflected not only in her ever-changing hair colours—whether it's a bold pink, blue, or purple—but also in the warmth of her embraces that greet everyone she meets.

One of the most beautiful connections at The Heard is between Lou and Star. Their bond has been instrumental in Lou's recovery, showcasing the profound healing power of connection. Witnessing the bond between Lou and Star is a testament to the healing potential that exists within genuine connections.

Hannah has been helping us on an adhoc basis for some time (along with family members when we need extra hands!). We love Hannah’s calm and confident approach even though she doesn’t have a background with horses. Here’s why Hannah loves volunteering for us in her own words:

“I incidentally found myself becoming a volunteer- they found their way into my life, everything for a reason!
They have taught me so many new skills and I’m still learning through them and the support of our lovely volunteers.

We are a diverse supportive group of individuals who bring so many different attributes to the yard.
With that it seems the horse chooses you rather than you choosing them.

We can’t have favourites;
Gizmo, is a true confidence builder lulling you into a false sense in security.
Tigger, shows you the cheeky side to being a pony, a bit like a toddler!
Star, is just that and she is forever patient and kind to me.
Darcy, his size, his stature, presence and beauty
Reggie, Im growing in confidence with him and love the trust that he chooses to impart on me in his own time”

Thomas joined our volunteering team in March 2026 and has quickly become a highly valued member of our team. Always willing to lend a hand, he volunteers several days each week and is often the first to step in and help cover absences.

While Thomas cares deeply for all of our herd, Mr Darcy holds a special place in his heart. Once the morning jobs are complete, you'll often find Thomas spending time quietly alongside the horses, observing their behaviour and enjoying their company.

With a passion for horses and aspirations to work with them in the future, Thomas is committed to developing his knowledge and skills. Alongside his volunteering, he is currently completing an online British Horse Society (BHS) course, taking another step towards achieving his goals.

Nikki joined our volunteering team in January 2026 and has been a wonderful addition to our team. Despite her busy role as a life mentor, she generously gives her time to support us every Friday morning.

Having owned a horse during her teenage years, Nikki was keen to reconnect with horses while also giving something back to her local community. Her experience, patience, and compassionate nature make her a valued presence around the herd.

Nikki has a particular soft spot for Reggie, and we suspect the feeling is mutual. Thanks to her calm and understanding approach, she has built a special bond with him that is a joy to see.

We are incredibly grateful for Nikki's dedication, enthusiasm, and the positive impact she has on both the horses and the team.