Our People

Tell us a bit about your experience

I have had such wonderful opportunities to work in a range of mental health roles & settings over my year; learned much and grew more through the people I met in the therapy room, as well as those I worked alongside. I started my mental health career as a Kids Help Line Telephone counsellor, moved into Adult Community Mental Health as a Psychologist, and then in Sweden, had the incredible fortune to work within a strongly resourced Wellbeing Team at a bilingual school as a full-time school counsellor (we had a full-time nurse!) In the years in between before coming to Be Centre, I focused my time as a stay at home mum, volunteering & applying what I had learnt in work & life as a Primary Ethics Volunteer Teacher with Y1-6 aged students & as a casual Encore Program Facilitator supporting groups of women who had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, facilitating a prescriptive exercise program and support wellbeing. In 2021, I began working at Be Centre as the Intake Clinician, and whilst this is still my primary role, I have (inevitably, they say!!) engaged in Play Therapy training and have begun working as an Intern Play Therapist.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Brisbane and made my way to Sydney via the very scenic route of nearly 12 years in Stockholm, Sweden. My parents were born in Malaysia, of Chinese heritage, and whilst I was born in the UK, I feel quite connected to our culture, in the unique way that comes from a move at that time in history and from my experiences growing up in the world. As long as I can remember, I have shared this long story when asked this simple question. It feels important to share all the parts!

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

My pathway to Play Therapy is intimately connected with Be Centre and I can say that it is my colleagues & our Founder, Deb Killelea, their way of being, and the growth & change that I have vicariously witnessed in the children & families who seek support with us that has led me here. This way of being in relationship – what we refer to us a ‘Being With’ way of relating - is filled with heartfelt warmth, attentiveness and responsiveness & most importantly, total acceptance. This is deeply embedded in the Play Therapy modality. Play keeps me real and in the present moment; it facilitates expression & communication in a way far beyond words, and the felt sense feeling is visceral (if we ‘listen’ carefully). I believe play also supports us to safely work through the hard things. My practical learning from working in a non-English speaking environment within a diverse community in Sweden highlighted the power of relationships and that which we do not say in words. A chance encounter brought me to Be Centre and Play Therapy has felt like a coming home.

What do you like most about your job?

What I love most about this job is that I can be my authentic self, and this will be accepted and received. The other important part is the qualities of the work itself align so deeply with my being.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

Dancing when I feel moved to, cooking (& experimenting with recipes) for loved ones, spontaneous bantering and deep dives whilst card playing, travelling to new places (and its even better when it is to meet with long held dear friends!). Soccer is still a love but am now hanging up my boots & moved to cheer squad for my boys.

Tell us a bit about your experience

When I left school, I completed a BA Honours Degree in Psychology at University College Dublin. My real interest was psychotherapy so I went on to study counselling and psychotherapy and worked in drug and alcohol and other addictions. Much of my work was with young people and their families. After we had our children I trained as a Crisis Support Worker at Lifeline and more recently completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.

Where are you from?

I am from Ireland and travelled to Australia in my 20’s. Just before I was about to leave Sydney I met my Australian husband and the rest is history.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

Working in addiction I often wondered what life would have been like for some of my clients if they had been able to get help when they were young. After raising my own family, I felt drawn towards working with children, I wanted to find a way that would truly allow them to safely express themselves. When I learned about Play Therapy and how it reaches children in a way that talking therapy cannot, I knew I had found that way.

What do you like most about your job?

I am constantly amazed in the playroom as I watch children process their struggles and guide their own growth. I feel enormously privileged that they allow me into their lives to be part of that process. I love helping provide a safe space and developing a relationship where they can feel supported and secure enough to express their feelings, thoughts, fears and worries through the medium that comes most naturally to them – play.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I grew up in the countryside and loved to escape down the fields or into the woods, immersing myself in the freedom of nature and my imagination. In the playroom, I love working in the sand with children and being with them as their natural creativity and imagination takes them where they need to go.

Tell us a bit about your experience

My previous work experience has been in Casework and Counselling roles in the field of child welfare and family support. I have also worked in schools doing expressive therapy with individuals and groups. I love working with children and families to help them thrive as individuals and in relationships.

Where are you from?

I was born and grew up in Sydney’s Western suburbs.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

Through my experience in schools and in social work roles I met many children who were really struggling with big emotions, grief and trauma. I found these kids were often misunderstood, and their families, teachers and I just didn’t know the best way to help them. When I discovered Play Therapy it just made sense! I love that Play Therapy uses the most natural and developmentally appropriate way for children to communicate and express themselves.

What do you like most about your job?

I feel so privileged to have children let me into their inner world through their play! It is amazing to witness kids express difficult emotions, discover strength and build resilience within the safety of the playroom and therapeutic relationship. I also love working alongside parents and carers to support attachment and family relationships through play.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

As a child I loved to go on adventures through all sorts of imaginative play. I still love dress ups, escaping through a good novel or musical and exploring outside in nature.

Tell us a bit about your experience

I have been working with children for almost 20 years through various volunteer programs and decided to make a career out of it in 2006. I studied a Bachelor’s in Counselling majoring in Working with Children & Marriage and Family Therapy, then took this one step further and became a qualified Play Therapist in 2011. I worked with Be Centre for 6 years before I moved to Orange County, California for 6 years where I worked in one of the nation’s leading paediatric hospitals in a child and adolescent psychiatric facility. In 2020 my husband, newborn son and I moved back to Australia, and I was able to re-join the wonderful team at Be Centre once again.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised Northern Beaches.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

For me, prevention and early intervention is key. If children are given a safe space to be totally accepted as they are and given permission to process their difficulties in a way that is natural to them (play!), the future generations will develop into healthy, happy adolescents and adults. Play Therapy advocates for children to have a voice and an environment to make sense of what is happening in their world.

What do you like most about your job?

The uniqueness of every child. I am still getting surprised even after 13 years of being a Play Therapist. I love having the privilege of being allowed into the child’s world to witness them make courageous steps towards their healing.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

Inside the room my favourite play is sand and role-play. Outside the room is anything with water!

Tell us a bit about your experience

After years of working in the business and corporate sectors focusing on supporting people within the business scope, I made the decision to leave that space and really focus on people personally. This led to me further training in psychotherapy, play therapy and interplay family therapy which started my journey of working therapeutically with adults, young people, families and more recently with precious kiddos. I have also enjoyed volunteer roles at the Benevolent Society supporting new Mums and Bubs, being a Raise mentor and have been lucky enough to experience some awesome volunteer roles supporting young people in South America and Africa.

Where are you from?

I was born and bred around Sydney and the Central Coast.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

I guess it’s largely because I feel passionate about kids and their wellbeing, and I wish every child (and adult) was loved and supported and trauma-proof. And from a big picture perspective, I think no one’s life is perfect and often things that happen in early years (outside of our control) impact us in many ways that can shift throughout time. The way we deal with these impacts can become patterns of behaviour or relationships or just ways of managing. And it’s when these approaches no longer serve us that we look to get help as adults. I love the idea of short-circuiting this and offering healing and support by way of early intervention so that the impact in those early years can help us build better ways of being throughout life. And to work effectively with children in those early years I think it’s important we communicate in a way that is natural for them, hence the draw of play therapy. It’s such a beautiful way of relating.

What do you like most about your job?

The people. Every individual – whether a child, a parent, a carer, a significant other or a colleague at work – they impact me. I feel so honoured to be let into people’s worlds and be part of the process of change they may be seeking. Don’t get me wrong – the playroom is super awesome too!

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

It depends on my mood – I love the sand especially when I am feeling like I want to chill and when I want to get my creative on, it’s the art supplies that take top spot.

Tell us a bit about your experience

After completing my honours in Psychology, I devoted time to voluntary work in informal settlements and hospitals in India, igniting my passion for working with children and families. Subsequently, I pursued a postgraduate degree in Psychometric Assessments while engaging with children ranging from 5 years old to university students at the University of Johannesburg. This experience led me to a role in corporate HR and learning and development for four years. However, my deep-seated desire to work directly with children persisted, prompting me to undergo training in life coaching for children and later in Play Therapy. During my journey into Play Therapy, I owned and managed a preschool.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in South Africa.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

My passion lies in supporting children facing challenges beyond their control. I'm captivated by the use of play to establish connections with children, facilitating exploration of solutions to cope with their worries, fears, sadness, and challenging circumstances. The versatility of tools and resources available for each child's exploration is particularly rewarding. Above all, it's a privilege to provide a safe haven where children can authentically express themselves, aiding them in thriving.

What do you like most about your job?

Witnessing the impact of the playroom on each child is immensely gratifying. Being part of a process that empowers children to freely explore, discover their own solutions, and unlock their full potential is truly remarkable.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I love the multisensory experience of beach play, the engagement of board games, the joy of silliness with my son, and the freedom of expression through dance.

Tell us a bit about your experience? I was a teacher for many years, with much of that time spent in special education. My counselling qualifications led me to work with young, vulnerable mothers through an NGO. My studies in Child Play Therapy have now brought me to Be Centre. I’m excited to introduce the Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) to teachers in schools. TORA is an evidence-based well-being program designed for both students and teachers.

Where are you from?

I was born and bred in Sydney.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

My work with vulnerable mothers and their children inspired me to learn more about helping children who may have experienced early trauma. This deepened my understanding of Attachment Theory.

Play Therapy provides me with the tools to understand what is happening for a child beneath their behaviours and to help navigate a path to healing through playful interactions. Play is about discovery, and Play Therapy is about self-discovery.

What do you like most about your job?

To be in the moment with a child as they reveal and heal in therapy is a privilege and a gift.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I love a good board game marathon with my family. My idea of bliss is losing myself in a good book while lying in a hammock, surrounded by a beautiful garden.

Tell us a bit about your experience

As a psychologist, I have worked with people from all walks of life, from various backgrounds and presenting with many different needs. Over the years, I have gained knowledge and experience not only in the field of counselling, but also as a Youth and Family Caseworker, as well as facilitating parenting and trauma-based workshops. I believe that interventions based on a strong therapeutic relationship, drawing on the strengths of those seeking assistance, are most effective.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in South Africa. Since my 20’s I’ve travelled extensively, lived and worked in South Africa, Amsterdam and Dublin, and finally settled in Sydney in 2011.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

My first role as a qualified Psychologist, was at a Play Therapy Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Being part of a team that was devoted to play therapy as early intervention, really set the stage and sparked my own passion for healing children through play and creativity. Seeing the difference that play therapy made to these children, irrespective of their background, status or culture, has ingrained in me the importance of allowing children to heal and thrive through their own natural language of play.

What do you like most about your job?

Children certainly do communicate their feelings in different ways, and I love creating a safe, friendly, empathic environment for them to explore, express and heal what is going on for them. I value the idea of children feeling heard, valued and important. Working with children can be really challenging – their behaviour, their stories, their distress – but it’s by far the most rewarding work I have ever done.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I absolutely love playing in the ocean waves with my kids! I didn’t grow up near the ocean, so this is a real treat for me! In the playroom, I love being completely immersed in the natural, unscripted play unfolding before me.

Tell us a bit about your experience?

Working with children has always been something I wanted to do! I began volunteering with children while in high school and have continued to work with children and families in various capacities since. My interest in supporting children through their own language of play directed me to complete a Master of Child Play Therapy and became a therapist.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Sydney.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

I was inspired by the combination of play therapy process and principles as a therapy to support children in overcoming, accepting and flourishing in their world. I wanted to work as a play therapist to provide truly effective therapy to support children and their families living through hurdles and challenges. Working with children and their families is something I regard as extremely valuable and critical in creating a better world.

What do you like most about your job?

I feel honored to work alongside each child, creating and holding space for them to explore their world, express themselves and develop existing and new strengths.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I love crafts like pottery and colouring-in as well as card games, Jenga, Articulate and dancing!

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Sydney but have recently spent five years living in London.

What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

During my work with children in schools who experienced trauma, I found play to be a way for us to connect with each other and for them to feel safe. The more we played, the more I realised how powerful the process was for them. As I watched the play transform they way they saw themselves in the world, I knew it was the right path for me.

What do you like most about your job?

I am always in awe of how my clients explore their ‘whole self’ through creative ways in the playroom. The safety and acceptance that play therapy provides allows me to celebrate each child and connect with them without words.

What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I love any kind of play that involves a messy, sensory element- sand, water or getting my hands into paint!