Our Clinicians
Meet the team
Christine Harkin
Director – Supervisor – Senior Clinician
MEd(IncSpec). MCouns (Hons). Post Graduate Clinical Play Therapy . CertSPT. RPT.
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Christine has a special interest in working with children who have experienced family violence. She also strives to weave the findings from Interpersonal Neurobiology and Polyvagal theory into her practice.
Christine is grateful for all the children and families she has had the opportunity to work with and thanks them for extending to her the privilege of being part of their journey. Christine likes to work with all children to support them to integrate their challenges and move towards reaching their full potentiality and healing.
B.A.E., Master of Counselling (Honours)
Master of Education (Special Ed)
Advanced Certification Clinical Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy
Certification (Completion May, 2020)
Associate member of the Australian Play Therapists Association
Registered member of the Australian Counselling Association
Registered Supervisor ACA
Member of the Association For Play Therapy U.S.
ASH golbasi
Senior Clinician
Provisional Psychologist. RPT.
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Ash is a Provisional Psychologist who has completed a Masters of Professional Psychology and is currently completing a Certificate of Child Centered Play Therapy. She is also in the process of fulfilling the hours required to become a registered psychologist.
Ash has experience working with children with anxiety, autism, challenging behaviours, and emotional dysregulation. She is passionate about helping children use their inner strength to find new ways to heal and connect, by promoting positive self-esteem and resilience, improved ways of communicating, and providing them with healthier coping strategies.
katrina bell
Senior Clinician – Supervisor
PostGradPlayTh. CertSPT. BaSW. AMHSW. RPT
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Katrina Bell (BaSW) has worked with children and families in a variety of roles for over 15 years. Katrina is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) and Registered Clinical Play Therapist (RPT).
Katrina has extensive experience working in case management and clinical roles with children and families. She has worked within both the Child Protection and Education systems within Victoria in social work and therapy roles in addition to working in private practice.
As a play therapist, Katrina supports children to explore their feelings and process their experiences using the medium of play. Katrina is also committed to supporting the caregivers and systems that interact with children and young people on a day-to-day basis through coaching and training.
Katrina also has particular interest in therapeutic modalities that allow client to express themselves or emotionally regulate without being reliant on ‘finding the right words’. This includes yoga (particularly trauma-sensitive yoga), iRest and meditation practices, creative expression through art and music (including therapeutic drumming).
Katrina also provides professional supervision and support for social workers, play therapists and other professionals needing support around their work with children, families, systems or their own broader professional development and support.
- Bachelor of Social Work and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) with the Australian Association of Social Work
- Post Graduate Training in Family Therapy and Systems Theory.
- Post Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.
- Certified Synergetic Play Therapist and Registered Play Therapist (RPT).
- Level One Certificate in Theraplay.
- Level Two iRest Meditation Teacher.
- Accredited DRUMBEAT Facilitator
- Currently completing Certification as Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor
- Currently completing Advanced Diploma in Children’s Yoga (YogaFun) and 200hour Yoga Teacher Training (Axis Yoga).
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) with the Australian Association of Social Work.
- Accredited Registered Play Therapist (RPT)/Clinical Play Therapist with Australian Association of Play Therapists (APTA).
Chermaine Yeng
Senior Clinician
MCouns. RPT.
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Chermaine has an interest in neurodevelopment, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders and trauma. She is passionate in helping children to go through their learning journey, reconstruct their world and regain inner resilience through Child Centred Play Therapy, Sand Tray Play and Filial Therapy with parents.
mandy easton
Clinician – Animal Assisted Therapist
BaSW. Registered AAT. MBusCoach. PPT.
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Mandy is a Social Worker and and Animal Assisted Therapist. She is currently completing a Certificate in Child Centered Play Therapy.
Mandy has a passion for early intervention, empowerment, strengths based practices, narrative therapy, play therapy and the use of Animal Assisted Therapy using her own dog, Rubi.
orla gilheany
Senior Clinician
Robynne
Senior Clinician/Animal Assisted Therapist/Training-Community Liaison
Bachelor of Behavioural Science. PostGrad Educational Psychology
Robynne Tongue has post graduate qualifications in psychology and has worked for 10 years specialising in mental health and wellbeing for the education, workplace and not for profit sectors.
Her experience includes counselling students at primary and secondary levels, implementing wellbeing programs, consulting to schools and health professionals on mental health and delivering mental health training and programs at headspace.
She is a parent of two teenage daughters and is an active member of their school wellbeing group.
Her earlier career for over 15 years was in organisational development and HR at a large corporate. During this period, Robynne was involved in counselling staff with vocational support, and coaching managers in leadership competencies. She led teams of staff on projects and developed and delivered training and facilitated programs.
Robynne career transitioned into mental health as a result of a family tragedy with mental health, and she is now dedicated to supporting young people and parents with information, skills and resources to improve wellbeing and mental health. She often works with her therapy dog, Bella*, who is highly popular with her young clients. Robynne is very personable and able to quickly develop rapport and trust with the young people she works with. Robynne also has experience with families from a variety of CALD communities and works to ensure that families are linked in with appropriate community supports that may also assist them, and that ensures a holistic approach that considers underpinning and contributing factors to any mental health concerns.
Robynne has supervised social work students and enjoys mentoring others. Robynne uses a strength based and client centred approach in her work.
Robynne is currently enrolled in Synergetic Play Therapy and will complete this training in March. She resides in Eltham and is passionate about supporting the local community.
Qualifications and professional Development includes:
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science – La Trobe University
- Postgraduate in Educational Psychology – Monash University
- Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society
- Cultural Competency – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Focus – headspace
- Culturally competent training with vulnerable families – Vicseg
- Managing trauma and challenging behaviour – The Austin School
- Respond to Client Needs – Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare
- Work with people with mental health needs – Excellence in Child & Family Welfare
- Curriculum and classroom strategies (4-day intensive workshop) – Berry Street Education Model
- Culturally competent training with vulnerable families – Vicseg
- *Lead the Way – Visiting Therapy Dog and Handler Certificate Course (certification finalised upon current Melbourne COVID restrictions changed)
- Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy – enrolled and completion date in March 2021
dan howell
Senior Clinician
Dan is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Certified Synergetic Play Therapist and is in the process of completing training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Dan has specialised in providing counselling to children and adolescents impacted by relational trauma, particularly neglect, family violence and sexual abuse. Dan works with Reactive Attachment Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADHD, Depression and Anxiety.
tess drummond
Associate Clinician
Tess is a Specialist Counsellor who is has completed Mental Health Certification and is in the process of completing a Clinical Level Program in Child Centred Play Therapy.
Tess enjoys working with children on the Autism Spectrum. She delights in connecting with them and discovering their unique personalities. She likes to explore beneath this label and learn what is distressing the child.
yenee khoo
Associate Clinician
golnaz behgoo
Senior Clinician
Golnaz is a clinical social worker and play therapist who has completed a Master of Social Work and a Master of Play Therapy. Golnaz has extensive experience working with children, young people and their families involved with the child protection system and living in out of home care. she is passionate about uncovering the effects of adverse childhood experiences and attachment security, in young children.
Golnaz is interested in child assessment, therapy, parenting education and skills training. she uses information about attachment, trauma, child development theory and neuroscience to work with children’s emotional, psychological and behavioural difficulties. Much of her work is also with the families, providing the necessary support to strengthen their relationships and build parenting skill.
nicole bester
Occupational Therapist
Nicole is an Occupational Therapist who is extremely passionate about working with children of all ages and abilities and their families and supporting them to reach their full potential. Nicole has several years of experience volunteering in the early intervention setting, assisting with group therapy and combines her love of working with children along with her knowledge on the development of fine and gross motor skills and social skills to create fun, play-based activities. Nicole has an interest in neurodiversity and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Nicole is also very creative and has a strong interest in the arts and how they can be used to express emotions and enhance wellbeing whilst incorporating goals of Occupational Therapy.
Nicole uses a strength based approach as she believes that everyone should be given opportunities to share their skills and participate in society. Nicole has a strong interest in the arts, especially visual arts, dance and music and incorporates them into Occupational Therapy goals.
Genevieve Connolly
Senior Clinician
PostGradDip Ed. RPT.
Genevieve is a credentialed Child Centred Play Therapist, with a Graduate Diploma in Education and specialised experience working with children impacted by family violence and homelessness.
She has a background in working with children who have experienced complex trauma; supporting them through life transitions, encouraging them to overcome challenges and helping them to reconnect with their caregivers.
Genevieve is passionate about empowering children to reach their potential. She recognises children as individuals and encourages them to understand their unique life experiences, develop their self expression and self esteem through child centred play therapy.
Zoe Tee
Clinician
BAppSc(Psych). MCouns&PsychTh. PPT.
Loretta ho
Senior Clinician
Certified Play Therapist (PTI)
Audiologist and Full member of Audiology Australia (AudA)
PG Dip Play Therapy
GradDipPsychAdv
MSc in Audiology BSc in Psychology, Speech and Hearing Sciences
Loretta (PGD, GradDipPsychAdv, MSc, BSc) is an audiologist with specific interests in children with hearing disorders and communication difficulties. She has experience working in both public hospital and private clinical settings, providing her a diverse exposure to people with multiple disabilities and special needs.
As a play therapist, Loretta values her therapeutic relationships with children. She is passionate about holistic childhood development. She believes that children can be empowered through play to utilise their inner strengths to cope with challenges in life.
Loretta is interested in attachment theories and how early childhood experiences impact a person later in life. She is aspired to integrate audiological knowledge and psychological principles to help children with auditory, emotional and psychosocial needs.
vicki soar
Senior Clinician
BA(Hons)MA ArtTh.
Registrations:
HCPC. ANZACATA – AThR (registered Art Therapist). BAAT – Art Psychotherapist.
sarah gordon
Senior Clinician
GradDipArts/Play Therapy. Certified Synergetic Play Therapist.
Sian Toney
Senior Clinician
Registered Psychologist
Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)
Sian is a registered psychologist currently seeking endorsement as an Educational and Developmental psychologist. She has experience working with children with autism, ADHD, challenging behaviours, anxiety and depression. Sian is passionate about working with children and their families to help young people reach their full potential. She has had many years of experience working with children with ASD as an Applied Behavioural Analyst (ABA) therapist and she now works as a psychologist both in schools and privately.
Sian is experienced in providing counselling and assessment services and is trained in the application of:
- The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI – IV)
- The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC – V)
- The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS – IV)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT – III)
- Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2)
- Conners 3
- Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC – 3)
- Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)
- Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (Vineland – 3)
coral tymms
Office Administrator
Coral is Play Therapy Melbourne’s wonderfully talented Office Administrator. She comes to us with over 30 years experience as an Office and Practice Manager. She is the backbone of Play Therapy Melbourne, ensuring that every day runs smoothly.
Annette maruli
Administrator Director
Annette is a welcome addition to the Play Therapy Melbourne Team and joins us with strong NDIS experience and nearly a decade in Banking where she worked as a Business Analyst and Business Improvement Consultant.
ruby
Therapy Dog
Rubi and her handler Mandy Easton were trained in Animal Assisted Therapy in 2012. Rubi has a natural ability to help children and young people through daily struggles, stress, anxiety, depression and anger. Through creative ways Rubi loves to bring about self awareness, reflection, play, mindfulness, empathy and love in children and young peoples lives.
GradDipArts/Play Therapy. Certified Synergetic Play Therapist.
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