About me

Hello!

I'm Leisa. I'm a qualified and registered Child Play Therapist. This means I have completed postgraduate studies in child and adolescent development, attachment, trauma, developmental brain science and play therapy. I hold a Master of Child Play Therapy.

I'm dedicated to helping children to manage and process difficult experiences, and supporting them to increase their self-esteem, self-awareness, emotional wellbeing and overall development.

I'm a passionate advocate for children's safety and emotional wellbeing, for respecting children's autonomy and rights, and for empowering children to navigate the world safely in their own authentic way. As such, I am deeply committed to providing neurodiversity affirming support.

I seek to understand each family's unique experience and provide non-judgemental and individualised support. I meet each child and family where they're at, knowing that each family's needs, routines and experiences are vastly different. As a parent myself, I have a personal understanding and lived experience of many of the challenges and joys experienced by parents and carers in today's world.

I strive to support each child to be themselves and to enhance their sense of self.

Come as you are, because every child is valued.

Contact me

Qualifications and Training

Master of Child Play Therapy (Deakin University)
Graduate Certificate of Therapeutic Child Play (Deakin University)
Graduate Diploma of Speech and Language (Charles Sturt University)
Accredited Registered Play Therapist with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
Trained Learn to Play Therapist (supporting self initiated pretend play and enhancing play skills)
Certified Facilitator of LEGO® Based Therapy
Foundational TraumaPlay training
Training in neurodiversity affirming practice
Training in affirming approaches to understanding and supporting emotions and behaviour

I am an Integrative Play Therapist. This means I draw on a range of therapeutic modalities and techniques, to best suit the individual needs of the child.

I am trained in both non-directive and directive approaches, including Humanistic Play Therapy, Filial (family) Play Therapy, Learn to Play Therapy and TraumaPlay.

Whichever modality is used, my approach is always child-centred and neurodiversity affirming.

Values

The principles that drive Shine Play Therapy

Ethical practice

Providing high quality, evidence based therapy with care and professionalism.

Safety

Developing genuine connections and a trusting therapeutic relationship. I believe safety and trust are an imperative foundation for enhancing emotional wellbeing.

Individualised
support

Choosing a therapy approach and developing a plan to suit each child's individual needs.

Neuroaffirming
practice

Prioritising the client’s regulation and sense of safety at all times, welcoming all ways of being and valuing the differences between brains.

Respect

Respecting and seeking to understand each family's unique situation and experience.

Expertise

I am highly qualified and committed to continuing education and professional development. Utilising latest research to provide best practice therapeutic support.