IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Play Therapy & Filial Therapy
I help children explore, process, and heal from past and present experiences of stress, adversity, and trauma through the therapeutic power of play.
I also empower and support parents/carers to strengthen secure, connected relationships with their child, providing practical strategies and guidance that extend well beyond the therapy room.
I provide a safe, nurturing, and welcoming space in Highfields (Toowoomba), where children aged 3–12 can explore, express, and heal through Child-Centred Play Therapy. Every session is tailored to your child's unique needs, supporting their emotional wellbeing, resilience, and healthy development in an environment where they feel understood, accepted, and safe.
What is Child-Centred Play Therapy?
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is a therapeutic counselling approach of ‘being with’ the child, where they have the freedom to express, through play, whatever is going on for them. CCPT is 100% child-led, where children communicate through play. It can be difficult for children to put into words their experiences, thoughts and feelings. Play offers children a natural form of communication, which they use in their everyday life to learn.
It is through play where children can explore, express and process various different events in their lives. For example, moving house, introducing a new sibling or processing the death of a loved one. Check out this short video from Dr. Dee Ray, briefly explaining what Play Therapy is and how it can benefit your child.
As a Play Therapist, I can assist and support your child with:
Reduce feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.
Develop confidence, resilience, and emotional strength.
Build empathy and strengthen connections with others.
Feel more confident and in control when facing challenging situations.
Improve their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
Develop greater responsibility and accountability for their choices and behaviours.
Reframe negative self-talk into more positive and helpful ways of thinking.
Build confidence in making healthy, age-appropriate decisions and choices.
Increase awareness of their thoughts and feelings and learn to express them in safe, healthy, and constructive ways.
Bringing HEALING and HOPE, through PLAY
Working alongside children and their families is my passion. As a trauma-informed Play Therapist and Child Counsellor, I am committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where every child and family feels welcomed, valued, and understood.
For more than 20 years, I have dedicated my career to supporting children and families through a combination of experience, ongoing professional development, and specialised qualifications in Counselling, Early Childhood Education, and Play Therapy. My approach is grounded in compassion, evidence-based practice, and a deep understanding of child development and the impact of trauma.
I believe that every child has the capacity to heal and thrive when they feel safe, connected, and supported. My role is to walk alongside children and their parents, providing the guidance, understanding, and therapeutic support they need throughout their journey.
Private clients; child safety clients; NDIS participants.
All welcome
A safe and nurturing play therapy space for your child’s healing journey
Starting therapy with a new therapist in an unfamiliar space can feel daunting. Feeling safe and comfortable is an important part of the therapeutic process, which is why the Therapy Cubby has been thoughtfully created as a calm, welcoming retreat.
Nestled among beautiful gardens on my property in Darling Downs, the Therapy Cubby has been carefully designed with every detail in mind to promote a sense of comfort, privacy, and wellbeing. From the peaceful surroundings to the intentionally curated space, every element supports the therapeutic journey.
More than just a place to meet, the Therapy Cubby reflects the compassionate, supportive, and safe environment I strive to provide for every client. It is a space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported as you begin or continue your journey towards healing and growth.
FILIAL THERAPY / CHILD-PARENT RELATIONSHIP THERAPY (CPRT)
Filial therapy or Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is a type of family-based therapy that helps parents or caregivers become the primary therapeutic agents for their child—especially young children who struggle with emotional, behavioral, or relational difficulties.
Instead of the child seeing a therapist alone, the therapist supports the parent to conduct special, structured play sessions with their child at home.
Core idea
Children often express feelings through play rather than words. Filial therapy teaches parents how to:
Respond with empathy
Set gentle but clear limits
Create emotional safety through play
Over time, this strengthens the parent–child relationship and helps the child regulate emotions and behavior.
What it looks like in practice
Parents attend sessions with a therapist to learn skills
They hold regular, scheduled child-led play sessions at home
The therapist provides coaching and feedback
The focus is on connection, not correction
Who it’s commonly used for
Filial therapy can help children with:
Anxiety or depression
Behavioral challenges
Trauma or attachment difficulties
Emotional regulation problems
Family stress, separation, or change
It’s most often used with children aged 3–10, but adaptations exist for other ages.
Why it’s powerful
Builds secure attachment
Empowers parents (rather than replacing them)
Skills last beyond therapy
Improves both child behavior and parent confidence
FAQs
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There is no definitive answer to this question. We need to take into account your child’s history, any diagnoses, what therapy they are currently or have previously undertaken, etc. As a rough estimate it can take 24-26 sessions (attended weekly or fortnightly) for your child to reach the Mastery Stage of play therapy. However, every child, situaton and circumstance is different. So, for some children this can take longer, for others not as many sessions. It is not recommended for children to aRend Play Therapy any less than fortnightly sessions. Monthly sessions can reduce the effective of your child taking full advantage of this space.
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Many children experience separation anxiety, so it is important that your child knows you are close. It is strongly recommended that parents wait in their car for the duration of the 45-minute play therapy session. You can use this time to read, listen to a podcast and just relax. In warmer months, a small table and chairs will be set up near the Therapy Cubby for you to wait (please note, siblings are not permitted in this area, please see below for more information). Please note I will not able to supervise your child once their session has finished, as she needs to prepare for the next client. This means you must be here to physically collect your child as soon as their session ends.
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It is highly recommended NOT to bring any other children. The reason for this is because these play therapy sessions need to be centred around the child that attends them. Siblings can cause unnecessary distractions and anxiety for your child attending play therapy, and can negatively impact the experience. Siblings will not be permitted to enter the Therapy Cubby under any circumstances, as this is a safe space reserved only for current children participating in play therapy.
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NDIS clients:
Plan-managed – invoices will be emailed to your Plan Manager for payment.
Self-managed – payment is expected at the beginning of each session, which
can be done via Square (card payment)
Private clients:
Payment is due at the beginning of the session either by card or can be invoiced via email (payment strictly due within 7 days)
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Child Session: Price: $160 per 60-minute consultation session (includes 45-minute therapy session and 15 mins supported transition, admin and pack down time)
Parent consultations in person or via telephone. Price: $160 per 1 hour consultation Parent/carer consultations are conducted every 6-8 sessions either in person or via telephone (at the request of the parent or carer)
Written reports provided to client on request. Price: $160 per hour.
Therapist to attend and participate in inductions, stakeholder meetings or similar on request Price: $160 per hour, minimum 1 hour engagement
NDIS Clients - please consult the current NDIS Price Guide NDIS Clients will receive a Service Agreement, which they can share with their Plan Manager to ensure they have the funds to cover Play Therapy.
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I am more than happy to provide email or phone support, granted what you need to share/ask, as well as my response takes less than 15 minutes. If it requires more time, it might be best to schedule a session, because I greatly value providing you with the appropriate time and space to share what is going on for you, and I cannot always meet your needs over the phone or via email.
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Our toileting and bathroom facilities are strictly for play therapy clients only. I will escort children to the indoor toilet/bathroom if they need to go.
Questions? Reach out via the button below and we’ll go from there.
