About
At Play Therapy Melbourne, we believe every person deserves to feel understood. Our work is guided by compassion, curiosity and evidence, creating a place where children, young people, adults and families feel supported, respected and empowered to move forward.
What We Believe
We believe people thrive when they feel understood.
When I founded Play Therapy Melbourne, I wasn’t trying to create another therapy practice.
I wanted to create the kind of place I would hope every family could find when they needed support. A place where people felt genuinely heard, where strengths were recognised alongside challenges, and where therapy was guided by curiosity, compassion and evidence rather than assumptions.
That vision continues to guide us today.
At Play Therapy Melbourne, we believe every child, young person, individual and family has their own story, their own strengths and their own way of experiencing the world. Our role is not to define people by a diagnosis, behaviour or difficulty, but to understand who they are, what matters to them, and how we can help them move towards the life they want to live.
We believe meaningful change begins with relationships. Before we can support growth, we need to understand the person in front of us. We listen before we lead. We seek to understand before we intervene.
We recognise that no one exists in isolation. Children, young people and adults are shaped by their relationships, families, communities, schools, workplaces and life experiences. We believe the most meaningful outcomes are achieved when we work collaboratively with the people who know them best, respecting their values, experiences and goals.
Our work is grounded in contemporary research across neuroscience, human development, attachment theory, trauma-informed practice and evidence-informed therapeutic approaches. Research provides the foundation for what we do, but every person who walks through our doors reminds us that no two journeys are ever the same.
One of the greatest privileges of my role is watching our multidisciplinary team come together around the people we support. Whether through Play Therapy, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support, Counselling or family work, each clinician brings their own expertise while sharing a common purpose: helping people build confidence, strengthen relationships and move towards the life they want to lead.
As our practice continues to grow, our commitment remains unchanged. We are committed to creating a place where people feel welcomed, respected and supported from their very first conversation with us. A place where families are partners in the therapeutic process, where clinicians are encouraged to reflect, learn and grow, and where every interaction is guided by kindness, curiosity and integrity.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about who we are.
Whether you are seeking support for your child, yourself or someone you care about, it is a privilege to be considered as part of your journey.
Warm regards,
Christine Harkin
MANAGING DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
GETTING STARTED
Ready to take the next step?
Submit an enquiry
Complete the general enquiry form and tell us a little about your child, young person or family member.
Speak with our team
We'll review your enquiry and be in touch to talk through the best next steps.
Book an initial
parent consult
If appropriate we'll arrange an initial consult to better understand your needs and recommend the right support.