Our People

Tell us a bit about your experience

I have 36 years’ experience working in mental health in both Melbourne and Sydney, including the past 11 years as a play therapist.

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​Where are you from?

Melbourne originally, then I moved to Sydney over 20 years ago with my husband and two children.

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What inspired you to work in Play Therapy?

Prior to becoming a play therapist I worked with both adults and adolescents experiencing a wide range of mental health issues which had their origins in childhood trauma. Those clients often told me that when they were children, they hadn’t got the help they needed. Sometimes adults tried to get them to talk but they didn’t have the words to explain their feelings or were too scared to speak. When I discovered Play Therapy I knew this was the answer I had been looking for as a way to reach children using their natural language of play. There is clear evidence to show that early intervention through appropriate help in childhood can change the trajectory of a person’s life.

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What do you like most about your job?

I love being able to connect with children through play. Playing out worries, feelings and experiences helps children to make sense of them and allows them to move forward. Being a part of this process with a child is a great privilege. Children inspire me every day with their amazing capacity to express themselves in their own unique way. I also love seeing stronger, connected and more joyful relationships develop between parents/carers and their children as a result of the play therapy process.

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What kind of play do you enjoy the most?

I grew up on the coast and love being near the beach and ocean which helps to ground me. In the play room at Be Centre I enjoy following the child’s lead and seeing where their play journey takes us!