Our Team

Suzanne Underwood

Face of Suzanne Underwood, founder, manager, psychologist at Nature's Therapy Room. Brown hair, blue eyes, great smile, nice teeth.

Founder, Manager, and Principle Psychologist

Suzanne has been a registered Psychologist with APHRA since 2005. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Disaster Response Network (DRN), and the Equine Psychotherapy Institute (EPI). She has completed the coursework and supervision hours of a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DPsych) and is currently training for her certification in Complex Trauma (CCTP/CCTP-II).

During her career, Suzanne has worked under CARD (Centre for Autism & Related Disorders), Miraki, the Gold Coast Domestic Violence Service, Currumbin Private Hospital, and Adult Community Health (HEAL program). She has skills working both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary health team. She was also the founder and manager of P & R Solutions Pty Ltd, a psychology and research company, where she was appointed as the Queensland Site Manager for the Australian Institute of Criminology's flagship research project DUMA (Drug Use Monitoring in Australia).

Having grown up in a small country town, horses have always played a large role in Suzanne’s life, from Pony Club, to competing in horse events/shows. She holds excellent knowledge of horses and horsemanship skills, which can be used to provide you with a physically safe therapeutic environment.

Paddy

Paddy, equine assisted therapy horse head shot. Brown with white star in middle of forehead, ears directly aimed at you, eyes looking at you. Has hay in mouth. Head slightly bend at neck to look your way. Can see horse's shoulder area

Paddy is our more senior bay Quarter Horse. He is Mr. Serious & Reliable. He knows himself well and has trust in his inner wisdom to guide safety and security. His attunement to self and the environment makes him an awesome leader, which he uses effectively to keep his herd safe, to communicate his needs, and to set boundaries with others. He is happiest with people who have an authentic presence.

Toby

Toby, equine assisted therapy horse. Brown horse with hay in mouth. Ears and eyes directed looking at you with a bush background.

Toby is our more cheeky, younger, Stockhorse. Toby loves attention, loves to have fun, and is very inquisitive. He likes people to be respectful towards him. Once he trusts you, he loves nothing more than a long, loving, attuned scratch. He has the ability to have you in fits of laughter with some of his antics.

Gizmo

Gizmo is our aged, friendly, quiet, Tibetan Spaniel. He sometimes pops up during the session. His beautiful calming presence has been welcomed by many, and at times has been a vital part of the therapy session.

Meet some of the native birdlife

Sulphur-crested cockatoo at Nature's Therapy Room. Close up of head and upper body, looking at you. natural bushland in background
Yellow tailed black cockatoo at Nature's Therapy Room in a tall banksia tree. Large black bird with yellow in tail and around neck area and strong black beak
King parrot at Nature's Therapy Room. Red chest and head, green wings and tail. red beak. Looking towards you.
Scaly breasted Lorikeet at Nature's Therapy Room. Small green bird with yellow on chest and a red beak
Peacock at Nature's Therapy Room. facing away from you but with head turned to side showing face markings and crown. lovely blue and green tail feathers
Rainbow lorikeets at Nature's Therapy Room. Tall spotted gums and ironbark trees in background
Australian magpie at Nature's Therapy Room with natural bush background. Black and white bird with silver coloured beak.

“Be drawn to the present moment by the calls of nature”