Welcome to HumAnima CIC

Animal Assisted Therapy and private counselling services. Small Moments can Make Big Changes

HumAnima CIC is a West Midlands based social enterprise set up by me, Kathryn Kimbley, and ably assisted by therapy dog Flossie, a very friendly English Cocker Spaniel.

Between us, we provide individually-tailored professional humanistic counselling and Animal Assisted Therapy services to anyone looking for a different approach to counselling.

A Feel-Good Counselling Service

Whether you work just with me, or with Flossie too, if you choose HumAnima CIC for your counselling services you can be sure of a safe space where you can talk about anything that’s troubling you.

We can discuss any issues and challenges you’re facing and I’ll help you come up with solutions that you think are right for you. You might just want someone to listen to you, or to talk about things that you don’t feel you can talk to other people about.

There are lots of reasons why you might choose to see a counsellor, including;

Anger issues
Bereavement
Depression
Anxiety and Stress
Chronic pain and illness
Addiction
Domestic violence
Debt worries
Drug misuse
Work/life balance

At HumAnima CIC I will help you with all these issues and more, and I have the added bonus of being able to offer you Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) too.

What is Animal Assisted Therapy?

Animal Assisted Therapy is a recognised approach to counselling which is becoming more popular.

‘Comfort Dogs’ were sent to help people in Orlando after the shootings in 2016, and therapy dogs are increasingly common and welcome visitors to many hospices.

We all know how calming it can be to pet a cat or a dog after a hard day. Our pets always seem to know if we’re upset and will often snuggle up for a cuddle if they sense we’re sad. In my own experience, I’ve found it invaluable to have the physical and emotional support of an animal when I’ve been going through difficult times.

HumAnima CIC takes the feel-good factor that comes with being around animals, and tailors it to unique therapy sessions with Flossie, a trained and temperament assessed Therapy Dog.

My Personal Approach

I understand that you might not want to have a dog present at your session, and it’s not compulsory!

I’ve developed several different approaches and techniques, so we’ll work with the one that best suits you.

My counselling approach is predominantly Person-Centred which means that during sessions, I pay particular attention to how you feel as well as what you say – the feelings and thoughts you express. I also incorporate Solution Focused therapy techniques which can really help you to “get unstuck”.

I also know that some people can be put off the idea of seeking counselling because of affordability – so with that in mind I will always try to make my counselling sessions as affordable as possible and take into account your financial circumstances.

Contact me now and let’s see if I can help.

My Philosophy

Because of my interest in nature, I’m very interested in ‘Green Care’, which encompasses many forms of therapeutic and beneficial interactions with nature, including Animal Assisted Interventions, Eco therapy, Social and Therapeutic Horticulture and Care Farming.

In 2008 I presented my masters research at the COST 866 Conference on Green Care in Thessaloniki, Greece. The COST initiative has produced impressive results and furthered profound developments in the green care field and continues to do so.

More recently, in December 2017 I was Guest Speaker in Hong Kong at the “From Passion to Profession: A Pathway to Animal Assisted Intervention” Conference held by Caritas and Hong Kong Animal Assisted Therapy Association (HKAATA). HKAATA are leading the field in Hong Kong, supporting many and changing lives through their Animal Assisted Therapy work.

HumAnima CIC has received Support from UnLtd

About Kathryn & Flossie

Kathryn's Story

I’m Kathryn, HumAnima CIC’s Director and Counsellor.

I have always been interested in psychology and mental health, and through my own experiences I’ve also become a passionate advocate of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT).

I love animals and nature, and my close affinity with animals in particular really helped me through my own difficult times. As a teenager, I developed severe clinical depression, along with acute back and joint pain, which was later diagnosed as Fibromyalgia. Around the time I was diagnosed with depression, I was living with a friend who had a Staffordshire bull terrier called Treacle, who saw me through some of my hardest days, weeks and months.

Whenever I felt particularly low, I would usually be in bed and it was during this time that Treacle would come to me, put her head on my tummy and let me stroke her for hours. She helped me get through those very dark times.

I used my experiences with mental and physical illness to influence my counselling techniques, and I’ve developed a caring, individual approach which incorporates my background in mental health, nature and eco-psychology. I really enjoy my work and the difference I can make to people through it.

I graduated with a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology from Keele University in 2009, a course which is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Flossie

I couldn’t do my work without my companion, Flossie. Flossie is a thirteen year old registered Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog. A gorgeous (well, I think so) and even tempered English Cocker Spaniel, Flossie has passed an assessment which has recognised her as being suitable for therapeutic visits to different public locations such as schools, hospitals or residential homes.

Flossie is also a mum! At the age of three, she successfully gave birth to a litter of puppies – four boys and two girls. One of the boys, who we named Dinky as he was the smallest of the litter, is now Flossie’s fellow furry friend who she can romp with to her heart’s content.

About HumAnima CIC

My business is my way of sharing my passion and helping others the best way possible and in a unique and profound way. HumAnima CIC is a type of social enterprise, known as a “Community Interest Company” and so any profits I make go back into the organisation so that I can develop it more, and continue to support my local community. This is primarily achieved by being able to offer subsidised counselling sessions to clients who are struggling financially and who otherwise may not be able to access the mental health support they so urgently need.

Awesome career to date

I always wanted to work in a caring profession, but didn’t know what do to until I had a chance meeting with Dr John Hegarty, Keele University’s Senior Lecturer in Psychology.

Dr Hegarty had founded a care farming social enterprise and suggested that I set up a consultation business in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). He also encouraged me to study for a Masters in Counselling Psychology at Keele University.

In 2010, I set up HumAnima Community Interest Company with the support of the local Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVSC), a loan from The Prince’s Trust and a grant from UnLtd.

Advanced knowledge in Animal Assisted Therapy

I’m always learning, and since starting my business I’ve continued to learn as much as I can about this area of counselling. Courses and training I’ve taken include:

Practical Therapy Dog Training (with Flossie) – Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)
Introduction to Natural Horsemanship – Kingdom Horse CIC
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

I also run an Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling Course, and workshops for people who want to learn more about this field of counselling.

Amazing customer service and testimonials

"Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling course Testimonial: "The AAT course with Kathryn, Flossie & Scott was a very informative and enjoyable three days. I had the opportunity to handle a variety of animals, and the role play was invaluable. I feel confident and equipped to select and introduce a therapy animal into future practice, and have had my eyes opened to the immense possibilities. I highly recommend attending this course. AAT is a powerful tool to add to any therapists skills set.", Linda Harris, Trainee Counsellor"

"HumAnima CIC joined our group for an evening to share with us some information on the work of the organisation. This was really interesting and got us all involved in different activities, thinking about the way animals were important to us! Everyone loved meeting Flossie and Theo and it was particularly special for some people who were very apprehensive about stroking the animals, and by the end of the evening felt comfortable enough to be close to the animals and even try stroking them! Thanks for a very informative and enjoyable evening."

"I found this course immensely useful, and thoroughly enjoyable. Kathryn engaged us from the start and I felt I learnt so much from the 3 days. If you have a genuine interest in Animal Assisted Therapy this is the course for you. Thank you so much for widening my skills and knowledge base."

"Wonderful location and food out of this world ! Kathryn’s knowledge and passion second to none, honest and realistic and so encouraging too. A real advocate for this field and its benefits and how to progress with support. Lots of resources, relevant and up to date with lots of reading recommendations too. A real gem of an experience ! magical .. thanks."

"Wonderful venue and an amazing group of people (and animals!). Loved every minute - thank you!"

"I found the course so interesting and it was set in the most wonderful environment. I enjoyed and gained greater insight as a therapist with regard to the potential of working with clients in this way."

"An outstanding course giving lots of food for thought and practical solutions to ethical and organisational challenges I have already come across when using animals in therapy. Was really useful to practice techniques as part of the training delivery and the venue was beautiful with some of the best catering I’ve ever had on conference! Even though I’m not a counsellor I sincerely recommend that all therapists consider attending as the impact for all clients could be phenomenal if other therapies consider out of the box approaches! Thank you for your time Kathryn."

"Thank you very much! It was a very special experience. Not only have I learnt some new skills but I also relished the beautiful outdoor environment and wonderful tree house where the teaching was held. The reptile day was very exciting! I loved the therapy dog- Flossie and really appreciated meeting some great, like minded people. Mostly I really appreciated the expertise of the tutor Kathryn. I Enjoyed each and every day and found the whole experience very valuable!"

Animal Assisted Therapy Programmes

Are you looking for ways to engage your clients, and give them something a little bit different to their everyday activities?

Do you love the idea of a fun, stimulating session that will put a huge smile on faces, encourage people to open up within a safe and supportive space and enjoy some stress-free companionship?

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) could be just what you’re looking for.

If you work with clients who love animals, and you’re looking for something special, we’d love to work with you.

Older people who miss company and might be feeling lonely can develop a bond with Therapy Animals, and regain a sense of being needed from taking care of them even for a short while.

Many people with learning disabilities love to spend time with animals. Our therapy sessions give them a way to express themselves safely using animal-centred techniques and approaches.

Working with Therapy Animals can have many benefits, including but not limited to;

At HumAnima CIC, we tailor our sessions to your clients’ needs.

We bring our animals to you and offer a range of services that include:

Supervised interaction with our friendly therapy animals – who love to be around people!
entertaining trick demonstrations
fun educational sessions
Mental health and wellbeing – animals are often brought into health and educational establishments to comfort people, and they can offer real support for people working through difficult life challenges and emotions.

We’ll talk to you and find out exactly what you and your clients need, taking their personal care plans into account. We then work closely with you on designing therapy sessions or a fun entertainment programme that everyone will benefit from.

Spending time with our animals can:

help to reduce anxiety and stress
help to reduce feelings of depression
act as social catalyst (people find it easier to talk to you if you have a pet with you)
give people comfort
help to increase trust
improve social cohesion, by bringing people together

Oh, and did we mention it’s also FUN?

If you think your clients would love to meet Flossie, our English Cocker Spaniel please contact us and let’s work out how we can help you.

Some things people say about HumAnima CIC

“Bringing animals to the group is a good way to get [the children] talking and settle them into the group”

“The children at Let Us Play enjoyed and expressed themselves very well that night. They also engaged with the additional activities you delivered which is noteworthy as they often lack concentration.”

“You tailored the session very well to suit their level and I was very happy.”

WARNING: THESE SESSIONS MAY CAUSE AN INCREASE IN PLEASURE, FUN AND LAUGHTER!

If you think that your organisation and clients would benefit from our unique Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) sessions, we’re waiting to hear from you.

Email: info@humanima.uk

View and Book your Course Plans

Spring 2020 Course Dates: Location: Exotic Zoo CIC, Telford: 28th March, 25th April, 16th May 2020

Download Spring Course Brochure

Fill In Spring Course Booking Form

Summer 2020 Course Dates: Residential – Old Tree Nursery, Pendeford, Nr Wolverhampton: 13th – 15th July 2020

Download Summer Course Brochure

Fill In Summer Course Booking Form

Autumn 2020 Course Dates: Location: Exotic Zoo CIC, Telford: 19th September, 17th October and 14th November 2020

Instalment plans

Private Counselling

Sometimes you just need a helping hand and someone to listen.

I’m Kathryn and I know how it feels. I’ve been there too – and now I’m here to help support and guide you through your problems, with the benefit of my own experience as well as a Masters in Counselling Psychology.

If you’re in Wolverhampton or the surrounding area, contact me at HumAnima for non-judgemental, professional help with overcoming the issues that are worrying you.

We’ll get you out of that constant loop of overthinking, and give you the right tools to help you manage challenging situations and emotions.

If you feel stuck – as if your life is on hold – and want to know how to help yourself to reach your full potential, let me show you how to free yourself from your self-imposed limits and help you on your way to success in all areas of your life.