Meet Your Play Therapist
At Playroom Therapy, we are committed to providing effective and evidence-based therapy.
All of our therapists hold a Masters in Child Play Therapy and are trained in Humanistic Play Therapy, Filial Therapy and ‘Learn to Play’ Therapy.
We are all trained and experienced in working with a range of presenting social, emotional and behavioural challenges, including anxiety, emotional regulation and trauma. We’re also all committed to neurodiverse-affirming practices and are proudly experienced in working with the ADHD and Autistic Communities.
Together, we empower families and promote emotional well-being through play therapy in Melbourne, with two clinic locations, Malvern East and Balwyn North.
Laura Rosenberg
Director | Senior Play Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Laura is the Director and Clinical Supervisor at Playroom Therapy, and a Registered Play Therapist. Laura has worked with children and families for over a decade, and is dedicated to helping children reach their full potential and heal from difficult experiences through the transformative power of play therapy.
Laura is experienced in supporting children, families and educators to address a broad range of childhood difficulties, including social-emotional challenges, behavioural issues and making sense of change and traumatic experiences. Her background as a Registered Mental Health Social Worker, strengthens her commitment to working with the whole ‘system’ around the child, including parents, carers and other professionals.
As well as being Master’s trained, Laura is also trained in Theraplay and is a Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) Facilitator.
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Registered Clinical Counsellor / Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Registered Mental Health Social Worker / Australian Association of Social Workers
Laura provides Clinical Supervision to Masters Trained Child Play Therapy graduates and Social Workers.
Amy Silverwood
Enquiries Coordinator
Amy ensures a warm and welcoming experience for everyone who connects with Playroom Therapy. As the Enquiries Coordinator, she is often the first point of contact for families, helping them navigate the process of finding the right support. With a background in both business and community sectors, Amy brings a wealth of experience to her role, combining her organisational skills with a deep commitment to helping others.
Currently pursuing an honours degree in psychology, Amy is passionate about supporting families throughout their therapeutic journey. Whether arranging appointments, connecting children with the right play therapist, or answering any questions, she is dedicated to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Amy believes in creating a nurturing and supportive environment where every family feels heard and valued.
Natalie
Scira
Clinical Lead | Senior Play Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Natalie’s dedication to supporting children’s emotional well-being has shaped her career as a Senior Play Therapist and Clinical Supervisor. She believes that play is the most natural way for children to express themselves and move towards healing. Through the Therapeutic Powers of Play, Natalie helps children find their voice, fostering the best developmental, emotional, and social outcomes. She is passionate about nurturing children’s socio-emotional health early on, providing a strong foundation for a happy and well-adjusted adulthood.
Natalie recognises the vital role of families and communities in a child’s healing process and encourages parent and caregiver involvement in therapy. She has witnessed the transformative impact of their presence, particularly when addressing challenging behaviours through a neuroscience and attachment-based lens.
After 15 years as a primary school teacher, Natalie went on to complete her Master’s training in Child Play Therapy. After this, Natalie trained in TraumaPlay and Theraplay and is a Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) Facilitator. Natalie is also a casual academic at Deakin University and served on the Board of Directors at the Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Association.
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Registered Clinical Counsellor / Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Registered Teacher (Primary) / VIT
Natalie provides Clinical Supervision to Masters Trained Child Play Therapy graduates.
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Meg
Ellard
Clinical Lead | Senior Play Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Meg’s passion for creating inclusive, nurturing spaces for children has been the heart of her career. With over a decade of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher, consultant and Child Play Therapist, Meg is committed to ensuring all children feel valued and understood.
Meg’s love for nature-based therapy has led her to publish research in the British Journal of Play Therapy and co-author a chapter on the therapeutic power of outdoor play in 2022. She brings her strong developmental knowledge to her therapeutic work, collaborating closely with families to support each child’s unique journey. Meg is also passionate about working integratively and systemically with teachers and educators, helping them deepen their understanding of inclusion and therapeutic practices in schools and early childhood settings.
Meg is a also a Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) Facilitator.
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Meg provides Clinical Supervision to Masters Trained Child Play Therapy graduates.
Jean
Borg
Play Therapist
Jean is passionate about helping children thrive and believes that play is essential to a child’s health, development, and emotional well-being. Prior to her registration as a Child Play Therapist, Jean also has experience as a teacher, early intervention professional, and Child Life Therapist. Jean is dedicated to supporting families, particularly those caring for children with additional needs or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Through the therapeutic power of play, Jean creates a safe and trusting space where children can heal, learn, and discover more about themselves. Her approach is centred around the family, collaborating closely with caregivers to understand each child’s strengths and needs.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Lisa
Bradhust
Play Therapist
Lisa has always been passionate about creating spaces where children feel safe, understood, and empowered. As a registered Play Therapist and Social Worker, she brings over a decade of experience from the Disability, Family Violence Support, and general Family Services sectors.
In her role as a Play Therapist, Lisa believes in the transformative power of play, where children can develop resilience, self-esteem, and the inner confidence needed to face life’s challenges. Lisa works closely with the systems surrounding each child—family, community, and schools—to create meaningful change.
Her warm, empathetic approach creates a nurturing environment where children can freely explore their inner world. Lisa is passionate about helping children build the coping skills they need for growth and well-being, while also supporting families in their journey.
Lisa is a also a Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) Facilitator.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Registered Social Worker / Australian Association of Social Workers
Shoshi
Lazarus
Play Therapist
Shoshi sees the playroom as a unique and welcoming space where children can express themselves through the natural language of play. As a dedicated Play Therapist, she helps children explore their emotions and experiences in a safe, supportive environment, using play as a powerful tool to navigate challenges and build healthy coping strategies.
With a background as a Social Worker in hospital-based child and Family Services, Shoshi has a deep understanding of issues such as family violence, grief, and loss. She also has valuable experience working with children with additional needs and facilitating social skills programs. A true creative spirit, Shoshi has always been passionate about fashion, sewing, and imaginative crafting.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Beth
Sackville
Play Therapist
Beth is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children can grow, express themselves, and explore through play and creativity. Beth has worked clinically with a range of children and adults as a Physiotherapist and Child Play Therapist for over a decade.
With this combined background, Beth blends her expertise in movement, music, and creative expression to support children’s development and well-being, believing that positive experiences in the playroom can spark joy and healing.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Registered Physiotherapist / Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Rayyan
Berjaoui
Play Therapist
As well as a Masters in Child Play Therapy, Rayyan holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Graduate Certificate in Disability and Inclusion. Rayyan is dedicated to positively impacting children’s lives, particularly in early development. Rayyan’s experience as a disability support worker has equipped her to support children with a diverse range of needs and to prioritise the unique goals and milestones of each child she works with.
Rayyan is committed to creating a safe, trusting space where children can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through the natural language of play. With a client-centred approach, she collaborates with children, their families, and multidisciplinary teams to achieve therapeutic goals and positive outcomes. Building strong therapeutic relationships is central to her work, supporting each child’s journey toward healing and growth.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Emily
Pavis
Play Therapist
As a skilled Child Play Therapist with an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Psychology, Emily is drawn to helping children feel understood and valued. Emily’s approach centres on the belief that a child’s healing journey is most effective when their support network is involved. Her experience with families has taught her the importance of including caregivers in the process, allowing for a holistic and nurturing approach to therapy. Emily’s past experience as a swimming teacher also strengthened her ability to build trust and connection with children.
Passionate about helping children be their authentic selves, Emily provides a warm, empathetic presence that encourages self-expression through play. She is committed to the belief that play therapy offers a unique space where children can navigate their own healing and be accepted as they are.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Trish
McGhie
Play Therapist
Trish is a dedicated Registered Play Therapist who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Before transitioning into Play Therapy, she spent over a decade as a paediatric audiologist, working closely with children, teens, and young adults with hearing challenges. In this role, Trish focused on supporting families by deeply understanding their unique needs, values, and goals.
While early intervention was a key part of her work, Trish discovered her true passion lay in fostering the emotional and psychological well-being of children. This led her to pursue Play Therapy, where she now helps children make sense of their world through play. She believes that play offers a powerful way for children to express emotions, solve problems, and develop resilience.
Trish takes a collaborative approach, working closely with families, communities, and professionals involved in the child’s life. With her warm, empathetic nature, she creates a safe and playful space for children to grow and thrive.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Felicity
Odgers
Play Therapist
Felicity has always been driven by her passion for helping children heal and grow through play. Her background in primary education took her to remote communities in Central Australia and the Kimberley, where she learned from First Nations people and developed a deep appreciation for the role of family, culture, and community in a child’s healing. Felicity believes in a collaborative approach, working with families, schools, and allied professionals to support children's growth.
Felicity is committed to building genuine connections with children through play, always approaching her work with deep listening and sensitivity. Felicity also takes an active role in the safeguarding of play therapy services, serving as Chair of Policy and Ethics on the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA) board from 2019 to 2022.
Felicity is a also a Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) Facilitator.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
Katie
Long
Play Therapist
Katie is a dedicated Play Therapist passionate about supporting children’s growth and wellbeing through play. She creates a warm, nurturing space where children can explore their experiences, build resilience, and develop a sense of agency. Katie also works closely with parents and carers to strengthen attachment relationships.
With over a decade of teaching experience in kindergartens in Australia and abroad, Katie has a strong foundation in early childhood development.
She is also a trained children’s yoga teacher, Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, and former trauma consultant, bringing a holistic and trauma-informed lens to her work with children and families.
Registered Play Therapist / Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association
