Kylie Ellison – CEO/Clinical Supervisor/Trainer

Kylie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with ACA and PACFA 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.

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 operates across South- East Queensland, with a commitment to accessibility of play therapy services in Australia.

In 2021 along with Centre for Play Therapy, Kylie founded Play Therapy Training Australia, to offer a professional training program and provide a pathway to registration as a play therapist for professionals in Australia.

Along with overseeing both companies, Kylie was a previous Board member and previous President of the Play Therapy Practitioners Association, a professional association established for those interested in or trained as play therapists in Australia.

Kylie is passionate about creating a community of play therapy practitioners that fosters access to training and therapy services along with advocacy for play therapy in both the community and professional arenas.

Kylie is currently undertaking further study to obtain Psychologist Registration, and is a proud Mum to Chelsea and Jake, and to her favourite fur- baby Molly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), UQ (2004)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, Bond University (2009)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Play Therapy, Play Therapy Australia (2015)
• Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, ACAP (2018)
• Registered Counsellor- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)- Level 3
• Registered Clinical Counsellor- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
• Registered Clinical Supervisor- ACA College of Supervisors
• Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor, Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
• Associate Member- Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
• Credentialled CCPT Practitioner- National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE, USA)

Mel Robinson – 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.
After training in directive Play Therapy interventions in August of 2022, 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. Mel participated in the Advanced Certificate in Play Therapy Studies with the Centre for Play Therapy early in 2023 and was immediately energised by the transformative nature of child-led therapeutic play; and how this modality demonstrates an endlessly hopeful belief in the child’s innate capacities for healing and growth. 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) – Uni SA
• Master of Social Science (Counselling Studies) (2009) – Uni SA
• Certificate in Mindfulness and Wellbeing for Children (2021) – Peaceful Kids
• Theraplay (Level 1 & Level 2) (2022) – Foundational Practitioner – Theraplay Institute
• EMDR (Level 1) (2022)
• Advanced Certificate in Play Therapy Studies – Centre for Play Therapy
• Registered Play Therapist – Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
• Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW)
• Social Work Mentor ASSW (2023, 2024)
• ACA Registered Counsellor (Level 4)