Puslinch
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW

Merle Fast

Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
6920 Concession 1, Puslinch, ON N0B
(226) 212-7949
Let's Connect (226) 212-7949
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
I am an Equine Facilitated Therapist with a trauma informed approach. I am non-judgemental and utilize mindfulness in my practice. Equine Facilitated Wellness is designed for youth (age 12+) and adults who struggle with mental health disorders and who may have participated in talk therapy but found they needed a different way to sort through their issues. I help clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, and life transitions, as well as those who just want to feel better and happier. Sometimes, horses reveal what you’re feeling even before you are aware of it.
I offer 80-minute therapy sessions at a stable where all the horses are specialists in providing therapeutic responses to a variety of mental health issues. Horses have highly sensitive observational skills and intuitive responses to their environment. All sessions occur in a large, well-lit, fully enclosed arena, and are on the ground, not on a horse,
I understand many potential clients want to feel better but don’t know what’s wrong or how to find help. Contact me to set up an initial 15-minute free intake session where together we can discuss what’s happening in your life and generate ideas for how to help you feel better.
Call or Merle Fast now for a free 15 minute consultation - (226) 212-7949

My Practice at a Glance

Available in-person

Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre

6920 Concession 1

Puslinch, ON N0B map

 (226) 212-7949
Only 30 minutes from Hamilton, Guelph, KW, Cambridge. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly appointments available.
I specialize in Anxiety, Depression and Life Transitions 
$225 Per Session  
Individual one-on-one therapy 
Let's Connect (226) 212-7949
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW

My Practice at a Glance

Available in-person

Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre

6920 Concession 1

Puslinch, ON N0B map

 (226) 212-7949
Only 30 minutes from Hamilton, Guelph, KW, Cambridge. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly appointments available.
I specialize in Anxiety, Depression and Life Transitions 
$225 Per Session  
Individual one-on-one therapy 

Finances

Fees

  • Individual Sessions $225

Payment Methods

e-Transfer, Mastercard, Visa
"
You can pay for sessions with major credit cards or via e-transfer. I provide receipts for health benefits/insurance coverage but do not offer direct billing. I charge the full fee for cancelled or missed sessions unless I receive 24 hours' written notice prior to the appointment time.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949
"
You can pay for sessions with major credit cards or via e-transfer. I provide receipts for health benefits/insurance coverage but do not offer direct billing. I charge the full fee for cancelled or missed sessions unless I receive 24 hours' written notice prior to the appointment time.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949

Qualifications

  • Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by Province of Ontario / 801783 Merle Elaine Fast

    • Education and Years In Practice

  • In Practice for 23 years
  • Attended Wilfrid Laurier University, MSW, Graduated 2002
"
I have over 20 years experience helping youth and adults who have experienced trauma and developed effective treatment plans for them. I hold a BA, MSW, am registered with the College of Social Work and have been a member in good standing since 2003.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949
"
I have over 20 years experience helping youth and adults who have experienced trauma and developed effective treatment plans for them. I hold a BA, MSW, am registered with the College of Social Work and have been a member in good standing since 2003.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Life Transitions

Expertise

  • ADHD
  • Alcohol Use
  • Anger Management
  • Antisocial Personality
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Body Image
  • Codependency
  • Domestic Violence
  • Eating Disorders
  • Emotional Disturbance
  • Family Conflict
  • Gambling
  • Grief
  • Mood Disorders
  • Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
  • Peer Relationships
  • Self-Harming
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Substance Use
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Women's Issues
"
I have expertise in working with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety and life transitions. During the first session, we explore what's going on for you and, together with the horse, create a plan to help you. Most clients say they feel completely accepted by the horse and report that experiential therapy in the presence of a horse promotes emotional growth and healing.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949
"
I have expertise in working with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety and life transitions. During the first session, we explore what's going on for you and, together with the horse, create a plan to help you. Most clients say they feel completely accepted by the horse and report that experiential therapy in the presence of a horse promotes emotional growth and healing.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949

Client Focus

Age

Teen , 
Adults , 
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals

Age

Teen , 
Adults , 
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Attachment-based
  • Equine Facilitated Therapy
  • Experiential Therapy
  • Family Systems
  • Feminist
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
"
I specialize in Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) and during your first session, we will decide the most appropriate way to help you make progress. EFT is ideally paired with Experiential Therapy and I often include Mindfulness-Based Therapy since horses respond well when both our bodies and minds are fully present.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949
"
I specialize in Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) and during your first session, we will decide the most appropriate way to help you make progress. EFT is ideally paired with Experiential Therapy and I often include Mindfulness-Based Therapy since horses respond well when both our bodies and minds are fully present.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (226) 212-7949

Location

Primary Location

Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre

6920 Concession 1

Puslinch, ON N0B

(226) 212-7949

Email me

My website

Nearby Areas

Towns/Cities

Postal Codes

"
Only 30 minutes from Hamilton, Guelph, KW, Cambridge. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly appointments available.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call for a free consultation now - (226) 212-7949
"
Only 30 minutes from Hamilton, Guelph, KW, Cambridge. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly appointments available.
Photo of Merle Fast, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Merle Fast
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call for a free consultation now - (226) 212-7949