Highlands Centre for Healing
Holistic wellbeing for mind, body & soul
through the Healing Power of Nature
The home of simply sensational Immersive Retreats,
Holistic Wellness Workshops, Private Therapy & Accommodation escapes in nature
We invite you to escape to peace & calm
In the breathtaking expanses of the NSW Southern Highlands, Soo Woods has created a SANCTUARY and refuge – not just for the domesticated and wild beings who’ve found their way here, but also for souls like yours seeking safety, healing and an authentic reconnection to your true self.
Set on 106 picturesque acres and backing onto State Forest, our primary intention is to help people and animals heal through NATURE MEDICINE. Our modern world with its fast pace and high use of technology has caused us to disconnect, resulting in anxiety, depression, mental health concerns and declining physical health. Our animals often absorb this energy from us, in an attempt to heal. We need to support them as well as ourselves. Our HOLISTIC WELLNESS approach offers well-being for mind, body and soul, and brings together a range of alternative, complementary well-being practices united by one single goal – to help you (and your loved ones – including the furry kind!) heal and find wellness.
JOIN US for private equine therapy sessions, in-person retreats and workshops, or stay with us a while and wake up to the beautiful, tranquil sounds of nature. For those unable to travel to us, we offer online healing for both people and animals.
How can we best support you?
I'd love to let go of the stress
The weight of the world can be overbearing. Join us for a wellness retreat and hit pause for a moment. Embrace the power of easy-to-learn natural healing techniques like mindfulness, nature walks, and breathwork.
Escape to Tranquillity
Leave the world’s hysteria behind and escape to “The Stables” or “Gang Gang Hideaway” Airbnb in Moss Vale, NSW. No Wi-Fi. No pressures from the outside world. Remember who you are when the noise of life fades away.
Experience healing with horses
You are ready to break free of the stress, anxiety, grief and overwhelm and are seeking life-changing healing… Through Equine Therapy, you will find your truth, your authentic self, and feel calm, clear and confident.
"I highly recommend the outdoor group workshops."
Soo was so engaging and knowledgeable.
Her sessions were all-encompassing and gave a real sense of self through simple actions that can be done practically in everyday life.
Amazing sessions.
KAREN – Yourside Adult Carers Retreat May 2023
NO MORE SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL
We’re here to switch “overwhelmed” to “overjoyed”
Life pulls us in countless directions, but it’s time to journey inward.
You wear many hats — caregiver, professional, partner, friend — all while balancing the tightrope of expectations. The weight of these roles, the noise of obligations, have left little room for you. It’s easy to forget the person who once dreamt freely, laughed heartily, and felt deeply.
But you’re still in there, waiting to be seen and to shine.
WELLNESS RETREAT NSW
What people say about our wellness retreats
I arrived tired, exhausted and stressed. I have become lifted and renewed, more than I can imagine.
A magical experience; one in which deeply buried feelings and emotion come up and the horses energies hold you. In the walking meditation I was drawn to an up-rooted tree. All I wanted to do was crawl into the dark tangled roots and stay there. The horses in the horse reiki coaxed me out of the pain and into the light.
Your therapist who actually understands you
Hello, I’m Soo!
I used to feel lost, stuck in a life that I didn’t love. But that’s all behind me. I now live a life filled with peace, calm, contentment and joy. Horses and nature have been a very large part of that journey.
Through changing my relationship with myself and discovering who I was at a deeper level, my whole life changed. Self-sabotage, destructive behaviours, stress, sadness, and disconnect disappeared.
I know what it’s like to lose yourself and not know who you are. And I know what it takes to feel complete wholeness within.
My life’s mission is to help more people like you live a life without stress, anxiety, fears, and doubts. I invite you to come and spend time with me, in my piece of paradise, and start to feel like yourself again.
EQUINE THERAPY AND WELLNESS RETREATS NSW
Frequently Asked Questions
Why horses? What do they offer in therapy that’s unique?
Their large guts and hearts are able to co-regulate our nervous systems and, as natural-born Reiki Masters, they are also able to offer energy healing.
Clinical research has shown that being in close proximity to horses changes human brain wave patterns and heart rate! It is also known that triggering the release of oxytocin, the trust hormone, can help induce feelings of optimism, increase self-esteem, and potentially also help people with mood disorders and PTSD. Plus, horses teach mutual respect, trust, and emotional intelligence, creating an environment for rapid self-learning.
Why would I want to join an outdoor group workshop?
Recent studies have consistently highlighted the therapeutic benefits of spending time in natural settings. Engaging with others in outdoor group activities doesn’t just offer a break from your busy lives; it actually promotes the release of beneficial endorphins and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These natural compounds play a crucial role in deepening our self-awareness, strengthening group bonds, and nurturing personal development.
We also know of the importance of coherence ~ a state where our nervous system is regulated, stable, and flexible. Numerous independent studies have shown that achieving a calmer, more coherent state fosters emotional stability and enhances cognitive functions. Experiences in nature support the development of coherence.
I've heard about wellness retreats, but I'm sceptical. Why should I give it a go?
It’s totally okay to feel that way. Our wellness retreats in Moss Vale, New South Wales aren’t just about “feeling good” for a few days (although that’s a bonus). They’re designed to create lasting positive change by providing you with tools that will last a lifetime.
We blend the raw beauty of nature, the transformative power of equine therapy, alternative therapies, and a community of like-minded individuals seeking growth and clarity.
It’s not just a retreat. It’s a reset.
Is this retreat supposed to replace my regular visits to the doctor or therapist?
Nope, not at all. Think of our retreats and equine therapy sessions as a complement to any medical or therapeutic advice you’re currently following. Our retreats and equine therapy sessions offer a fresh, holistic perspective on well-being, but always keep your medical specialist in the loop.
While Soo is a registered, qualified counsellor and trauma-trained somatic practitioner, she is not a medical specialist and does not diagnose, categorise, judge, advise, assess, or fix.