Our Team

Our trained therapists facilitate the relationship between the horse (co-therapist) and the client by designing individualised therapy sessions. We are the only organisation in Singapore to do so.

Jessamine
("Jessie") Ihrcke

Managing Director and Founder

Jessamine ("Jessie") Ihrcke

Jessie is the Managing Director and Founder of THERIS. She has a long and extensive background in Equine Assisted Therapy having previously worked as the Operations Manager at the Riding for the Disabled Association Hong Kong and as an Instructor at the Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore.

She was also the Head Equine Assisted Therapist and a Riding Instructor for the Equestrian Federation of Singapore (EFS) based at the National Equestrian Centre (NEC). Her role with the EFS included the development and delivery of the EQUAL ARK Program - Equine Assisted Therapy For At-Risk Kids, a landmark program funded by Temasek Holdings.

Jessie has a degree in Psychology and Counselling from the University of Surrey Roehamption (UK) and a diploma in Equine Assisted Therapy (IGOGO, Germany). She is fluent in English and German, and has a good knowledge of Cantonese.

Dr. Ameerah Mattar

Ameerah is an Equine-Assisted Therapist with THERIS and also a clinical psychologist by training. She has experience with a range of psychological difficulties including depression, anxiety, stress management, self-esteem issues, and emotional and behavioural difficulties. She has also previously worked in Singapore and overseas in both public and private practice settings.

Prior to joining the THERIS team, Ameerah was the Clinical Director at EQUAL-ARK Singapore Ltd., where she was in charge of facilitating as well as overseeing the curriculum planning and delivery of the equine-assisted learning programs there. She has also completed trainings and certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) and the British Horse Society (BHS).

Ameerah believes in the powerful impact horses can have in helping us to learn more about ourselves, as well as in healing and transforming lives. She is thankful to be able to combine her professional training with her love for horses in her work at THERIS.

Dr. Ameerah Mattar

Equine-Assisted Therapist

Lavannya ("Lava") Sivanandan

Equine-Assisted Therapist

Lavannya ("Lava") Sivanandan

As an Equine-Assisted Therapist at THERIS, Lava combines her Psychological Science background with equine expertise to support individuals.

Her experience includes:

Supporting clients from the Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders in Vancouver, BC;
Aiding residents with schizophrenia, speech impairment and intellectual disabilities at the Institute of Mental Health Singapore
Creating and implementing programmes for students from schools, including MINDS and APSN
Designing and delivering adaptive riding programmes for individuals with special needs
Providing equine-assisted therapy and education for at-risk youths and individuals with physical disabilities

Lava holds certifications from:

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.)
Strides to Success
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) and;
British Horse Society (BHS)

Currently pursuing a diploma in Equine Studies from the University of Guelph, Lava is driven to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. With her passion and expertise, she aims to make a positive impact through equine-assisted therapy, fostering relationships between horses and humans to enhance clients' overall mental and physical well-being

Ong Shi Qing ("Shiq")

Shiq is a junior equine-assisted therapist who has just finished serving part of her postgraduate practicum at THERIS. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from NTU and a Masters in Counselling from Monash University.

Shiq has experience within the social service and working with couples, families, children, and adolescents regarding marital, family, parenting, and divorce issues. She can also support with premarital issues, anxiety, stress, transitions and change, communication issues, interpersonal conflict, etc.

Apart from interning and volunteering with THERIS, Shiq has also undergone training and certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). She also has training in the following areas:

Gottman Method Level 1, Narrative Therapy Level 1, systemic therapy
ASIST model and safety planning
Groupwork facilitation
Working with betrayal, infidelity and hurt
Coordinated management of meaning

Shiq believes in the power of horses in facilitating better communication and emotional regulation that is the foundation of every relationship in a person's life, hence she is passionate about integrating her love for horses with her work in counselling. Junior rates are available for sessions with Shiq.

Ong Shi Qing ("Shiq")

Junior Equine-Assisted Therapist