ABOUT ME
Stephanie Heartfield
Play Therapist, Child Counsellor & Early Childhood Educator
Hello & welcome
I'm Steph, the Founder and Director of Stephanie Heartfield Play Therapy & Counselling. I am a Child-Centred Play Therapist, Child Counsellor & Early Childhood Educator. My passion lies in supporting children and families to navigate life’s challenges with connection, understanding, and play.
Psychology & Counselling
I have always been drawn to psychology and counselling, which is why I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology right after finishing school, followed by various other counselling qualifications. However, it wasn’t until I had my first son in 2013 that I discovered my true passion—helping parents and children thrive.
A long-held dream of mine has been to support children experiencing trauma as well as those with diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, and PDA. This led me to complete Postgraduate Clinical Training and become a Child-Centred Play Therapist. Child-Centred Play therapy is an evidence-based approach to supporting children, established in 1947, and it can be truly life-changing for children. Find out more about Play Therapy here.
Early Childhood Education & Care
I first started as a Family Day Care provider in Canberra at the beginning of 2014, working alongside my husband. We created Natural Learning Haven, a nurturing and play-based environment for children. In 2017, we moved to Toowoomba, QLD, and continued our Family Day Care journey. Over the next decade, we provided a nurturing environment for children to grow and thrive, fostering learning through play and emotional connection.
At the end of 2024, after 10 years in this role, we said a bittersweet goodbye to our time as Early Childhood Educators as we transitioned into new opportunities. My background in early childhood education continues to inform my current practice as a Play Therapist and providing Parent and Educator Support.
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
More about me…
As well as my work with children and parents/carers, I love spending time with God, my family and being out in nature - going on hikes/bushwalks, camping and loving the fullness of this life God has blessed me with.
I homeschool my 2 children via a Distance Education school.
If you’d like to learn more about how I can support your child and family, feel free to explore my offerings or get in touch.
Biography
Stephanie Heartfield is a Child-Centred Play Therapist and Child Counsellor.
As the founder of Stephanie Heartfield Play Therapy & Counselling, she is passionate about supporting children and families through play therapy and parenting, in addition to providing mentoring for educators and caregivers.
With a background in psychology and early childhood education, Stephanie helps children process emotions, heal from trauma, and build resilience with play therapy.
Stephanie has a decade of experience as an Early Childhood Educator and a play-based family day care, alongside her husband.
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