About Sarah Munn

I am an Occupational Therapist and Animal and Equine Assisted Therapist and Educator. I have over 30 years' experience in healthcare and education working with children and their families.

I have worked and connected with people with intellectual disability, neurodiversity and multiple diagnoses impacting mental health. I now run a Child & Family Centre as well as Gadara 'Therapeutic' Farm with 26 staff including 16 therapists/Allied Health Practitioners, a teacher and 2 therapy assistants.

These days, as well as overseeing Barefoot Therapists and Gadara Farm, I teach and coach across 4 areas;

- Parent & Carer Education/Mental Health Support

- Clinical Supervision and Animal Assisted Therapy/Learning

- Business & Private Practice Development

- Media & Speaking

Times are changing. More and more, I see people who want to work with therapists and coaches with 'lived experience'. I have certainly walked barefoot in many people's shoes who find me. Here's why.

I have neurodevelopment and trauma diagnoses (autism, ADHD, C-PTSD with a history of anxiety and depression). I live in a neurodiverse, autistic and ADHD household with two sons - one also has Down Syndrome. And I love the life I have.

A psychologist once described me as 'twice exceptional' because people like me have a learning disability AND are high achievers. I struggled at school and it's only in adulthood that I learned more about my own executive functioning and masking, and my IQ being at the high end (who knew!).

I don't know if I fit into the category of 'twice exceptional', and it doesn't matter to me personally - I don't overly identify with my diagnoses - although I happily support many people who do.

Personally, I identify with myself. I have an authentic identity, which I learned to truly inhabit in my more mature years, after profound experiences of trauma and healing.

These skills I can share along the way, and I love the transformations we do.

"Parenting can feel like a hard, uphill track without a map or signposts. I will walk with you for a while to help you find the right track, and enjoy the view" - Sarah Munn

It makes sense to me how hard it can be to live your life with the constant challenge of an uncertain future for your children and the high demands of daily life.

I know about burn out and hyper vigilance. I also know how to combat it and relax into loving the life you have, rather than dreaming about how you can escape a life you are trapped by.

Not all families look like we expected they would. Neither does mine. And not all parents are behaving as the beautiful parent they wanted to be. I learned how to change myself and stop the endless brain chatter about the difficulties of this life. And I learned to be softer and love the life I have.

Prior to having children I coached business women in Melbourne including psychologists at the REACH Foundation, senior management in the finance sector, and business owners in telecommunications, photography and HR. I have coached dozens of therapists in setting up their own animal assisted therapy or farm based practice.

I specialise in working with people to include their emotional wellbeing as part of their learning and business development experience. Because I truly believe having balance is the biggest marker of success.

I am a born story teller and have been gifted with a multitude of tales through my life. I studied Theatre Arts when I first went to university and love weaving art and science, story and connection, to resonate with other people who may need inspiration, education or hope. I am a very passionate and expressive person who is comfortable behind the mic or in writing. I have published stories in books, and write articles for magazines. My list of podcast interviews is racking up too, as well as talking at summits and conferences.

I support therapists and educators to assess and train horses and other farm animals for therapy practice. I am competent in the use of Permaculture, Equiculture and Horticulture Therapy.

Acknowledgement to Country

We Respect and Acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to the land, sea and community, and recognise the land on which we work is home to the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung members of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present & future.

We meet the required standards for Insurance and Education.