ABOUT ME
Stephanie Heartfield
Play Therapist, Child Counsellor & Early Childhood Educator
Hello & welcome
Hi, I'm Steph, the Founder and Director of Stephanie Heartfield Play Therapy & Counselling.
As a Child-Centred Play Therapist, Child Counsellor, and Early Childhood Educator, I am passionate about supporting children and their families to navigate life's challenges with compassion, connection, and understanding. I believe that play is a child's natural language and, through the therapeutic power of play, children can safely express their experiences, build resilience, and move towards healing.
My goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment where children feel accepted, parents feel supported, and families can grow stronger together.
Psychology & Counselling
I've always been fascinated by psychology and counselling, which led me to complete a Bachelor's degree in Psychology straight after finishing school, followed by further qualifications in counselling. While I was passionate about understanding people and supporting emotional wellbeing, it wasn't until I became a mother to my first son in 2013 that I discovered where my heart truly belonged.
Motherhood sparked a deep passion for supporting children and the people who care for them. It inspired me to combine my knowledge of psychology, counselling, and child development to help children and families navigate life's challenges with confidence, connection, and compassion.
For many years, I have dreamed of supporting children who have experienced trauma and adversity, as well as neurodivergent children, including those with Autism (ASD), ADHD, and a PDA profile. This passion led me to undertake postgraduate clinical training to become a Child-Centred Play Therapist.
Child-Centred Play Therapy is a well-established, evidence-based therapeutic approach that has been supporting children's emotional wellbeing since the 1940s. Through the natural language of play, children are given the opportunity to safely express their experiences, process difficult emotions, build resilience, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. It is a gentle yet powerful approach that can have a profound and lasting impact on a child's life.
Find out more about Play Therapy here.
Early Childhood Education & Care
My journey supporting children began in early 2014 when I started as a Family Day Care Educator in Canberra, working alongside my husband. Together, we created Natural Learning Haven — a nurturing, play-based environment where children were encouraged to explore, learn, and grow through connection and meaningful experiences.
In 2017, we relocated to Toowoomba, Queensland, and continued our Family Day Care journey. Over the following decade, we provided a safe and supportive environment where children could thrive, with a strong focus on learning through play, emotional connection, and respectful relationships.
At the end of 2024, after 10 rewarding years as Early Childhood Educators, we made the bittersweet decision to close this chapter and embrace new opportunities. While my role has evolved, the knowledge and experience gained through early childhood education continue to shape my work as a Child-Centred Play Therapist, as well as the support I provide to parents and educators.
My understanding of child development, attachment, and the importance of responsive relationships remains at the heart of my therapeutic practice.
Read testimonials from our Family Day Care journey here.
Qualifications & Certifications
Formal Education
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) - University of Wollongong
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - TAFE QLD
Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Roll of Excellence) - University of Tasmania
Certificate in Play Therapy Studies - Play Therapy Training Australia
Filial (Child-Parent Relationship Therapy) Facilitator Training Program
Certifications & Registrations
Registered Counsellor - Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Play Therapist - Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
Professional Development Courses
Play Therapy for Pre-Teens & Teens - Synergetic Play Therapy
Play Therapy for Traumatized Children - Integrative Counseling Services
Trauma Responsive Practice in Education - Australian Childhood Foundation
Understanding & Responding to Domestic Violence - Clinical Supervision Services
More about me…
Outside of my work with children and families, I cherish time spent with God, my family, and in nature. I love exploring the outdoors through hiking, bushwalking, and camping, and I feel incredibly grateful for the fullness and beauty of the life God has blessed me with.
I also homeschool my two children through a Distance Education school, which continues to deepen my understanding of the unique needs, experiences, and journeys of families.
If you would like to learn more about how I can support your child and family, I invite you to explore my services or get in touch. I would love the opportunity to walk alongside you on your journey.
Biography
Stephanie Heartfield is a Child-Centred Play Therapist and Child Counsellor, and the Founder of Stephanie Heartfield Play Therapy & Counselling.
Stephanie is passionate about supporting children and families through the therapeutic power of play, parent support, and guidance, while also providing mentoring for educators and caregivers.
With a background in psychology and early childhood education, Stephanie brings a deep understanding of child development, relationships, and emotional wellbeing to her practice. She supports children to process emotions, navigate life's challenges, heal from difficult experiences, and build resilience through Child-Centred Play Therapy.
Stephanie also brings over a decade of experience as an Early Childhood Educator, having operated a play-based Family Day Care alongside her husband. This experience continues to shape her compassionate, child-focused approach and her commitment to supporting the adults who nurture and care for children.
Education
Certificate in Filial Facilitator Training
Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Roll of Excellence) – University of Tasmania
Certificate in Play Therapy Studies – Play Therapy Training Australia
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – University of Wollongong
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care – TAFE QLD
Registrations
Registered Counsellor - Australian Counselling Association
Play Therapist - Play Therapy Practitioners Association