About us
Who we are
Kylie Ellison’s Centre for Play Therapy is located in Capalaba. Kylie and her team are the leading provider of child centred play therapy services in Queensland. All of our team are trained in counselling or social work and are passionate about children’s mental health.
We are passionate providers of child counselling services, who believe in
“helping children heal through play”.
Check out our staff profiles below.
Registered NDIS
provider
Trained
counsellors
Child-centred
therapy
Accepting &
non-directive
Kylie – Founder/ CEO
Kylie is a Registered Counsellor and Play Therapist – Supervisor who has been working with children, young people and families in the human services field for the past 19 years.
Kylie commenced her career working alongside mental health practitioners in adult mental health, before moving into the area of child protection and disabilities.
In 2016, Kylie discovered a passion for Child Centered Play Therapy as a way of working alongside children and their parents/ carers. Subsequently, Kylie established Centre for Play Therapy, an organisation committed to supporting children to work through difficult feelings and experiences through the provision of Child Centred Play Therapy services. Today the organisation is known as Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training and operates in South- East Queensland, with a commitment to accessibility of play therapy services in Australia.
In 2018 Kylie developed introductory and clinical workshops, to offer a professional training program and provide a pathway to registration as a play therapist for professionals in Australia. Head to our training pages for more details.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (2004)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (2009)
- Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (2019)
- Advanced Clinical Training (Play Therapy) (2015)
- Rise UP Individual and Group Clinical Supervision Certificate (2023)
- Registered Clinical Counsellor, PACFA
- Level 4 Registered Counsellor, Australian Counselling Association
- Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor, Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
- Registered Play Therapist - Australian Play Therapists Association (PTPA)
- Credentialled CCPT Practitioner - National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE, USA)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1 (2025)
Eva – Therapist
Eva is a dedicated Social Worker and Play Therapist, who works therapeutically with children and their families. Eva values evidence-based research and utilises a child-centred and trauma-informed approach to create a safe space for children and young people.
Eva brings with her a strong sense of social justice and works hard to ensure her clients’ voices are heard. Eva has experience in play therapy, filial therapy and in a therapeutic group space that focused on attachment between mothers and children. Eva has worked alongside Foster and Kinship Carers, and has also worked in a domestic violence service, offering counselling and crisis support. In all her roles, Eva has remained passionate about empowering children and their families.
Eva has a calm, compassionate and playful approach, and appreciates the uniqueness of each child and where they are in their journey.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
- Certificate in Play Therapy Studies
- Accredited Social Worker
- Registered Play Therapist
- Member of Golden Key International Honour Society
Mel – Clinical Trainer
Mel has been practicing as a Social Worker and Psychotherapist for 25 years, in Independent School settings, health services, and more recently has been employed as a Mental Health Clinician in a boutique psychology practice on the outskirts of the beautiful Barossa Valley in South Australia.
Mel was curious to learn more about Child Centred Play Therapy practice and how this humanistic, non-directive modality might be added to her clinical toolkit to support children in the Early Intervention space meaningfully. Since undertaking the Advanced Certificate Mel has established a playroom and CCPT services in the practice in which she works.
Outside of her professional roles, Mel finds joy in her family, especially being mum to three busy growing boys and actively participating in her local community as an advocate and friend.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Social Work (1999)
- Master of Social Science (Counselling Studies) (2009)
- Certificate in Mindfulness and Wellbeing for Children (2021)
- M.A. Counselling (2022)
- Theraplay (Level 1 & Level 2) Foundational Practitioner (2022)
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW)
- EMDR (Level 1) (2022)
- Advanced Certificate in Play Therapy Studies (2023)
- Level 4 Registered Counsellor - Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Registered Play Therapist, Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA
Sharyn – Practice Coordinator
Sharyn is a highly experienced finance professional with 18 years of bookkeeping and finance experience. Holding a Certificate IV Financial Services and Graduate Certificate Business, her experience is wide and varied.
Having worked mostly in the not-for-profit sector specifically in the area of youth advocacy, mental health and support, Sharyn is thrilled to be further involved in services that make a positive impact in young individuals.
She enjoys a good spreadsheet, coffee, reading, coffee, exploring the great outdoors and coffee.
Qualifications
- Graduate Certificate Business (2022)
- Certificate IV Financial Service (Bookkeeping) (2010)