The Child’s Play Qld Team
please contact us to discuss how we can assist you
It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
- Albus Dumbledore (fictional character from the Harry Potter series)
Alicia Windon
Psychologist
** Alicia is taking on new clients for Psychology Assessments**
Hello, I’m Alicia. I have been working at Child’s Play since August 2019. I am a compassionate therapist who has a passion for working with children and their families in a welcoming and empathetic therapeutic space. As of April 2026, I have chosen to step back from offering therapeutic services indefinitely so I can focus exclusively on providing psychological assessments.
With over 13 years of experience, I specialise in comprehensive, investigative assessments to better understand each child’s unique profile. I conduct cognitive and learning assessments to explore areas such as learning delays and disorders, dyslexia, intellectual delays, giftedness, and ADHD. I enjoy working closely with families and supporting them through the diagnostic journey with clarity, care, and compassion.
I particularly love the “detective work” of assessment, bringing together different pieces of information to form a meaningful understanding of what may be happening for your child. My goal is to provide clear answers, practical insights, and reassurance, so families feel confident, informed, and supported in their next steps.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
- Dr Seuss
Barry Morris
Psychologist
By the time a family reaches out for therapy, it is usually not the first step in the journey. You may have already spent a long time noticing concerns, trying different strategies, talking with teachers, doctors or other supports, and wondering what your child needs next. Seeking help takes courage, and we were never meant to do this journey alone.
At different points it is helpful to have someone else walk alongside you, bring another perspective, and help make sense of what is happening.
Hi, my name is Barry. I am a Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people, parents and families. I have worked across child protection, child and youth mental health, out-of-home care, disability, family support and therapeutic services.
I aim to help parents, children and young people feel safe, understood and not judged. I know it can take time for a child to trust a new adult, so I use a warm, steady and playful approach to help children feel more comfortable, express themselves, and build confidence in their own strengths.
I also work closely with parents and caregivers. Children do not grow in isolation, and families often arrive feeling tired, worried or unsure what to do next. My role is to help you better understand what may be happening beneath your child’s emotions and behaviour, strengthen connection, and develop practical ways to support your child at home, school and in daily life.
My approach is collaborative, strengths-based and evidence-informed. I draw from family systems practice, attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dyadic developmental psychotherapy, child-centred and play-based approaches, and trauma-informed care. I am particularly interested in helping families understand the connection between relationships, emotional regulation, behaviour and development.
My areas of interest and passion include:
- Anxiety and emotional regulation
- Childhood trauma and adverse life experiences
- Children in care, adoption and attachment-related difficulties
- Parenting support and family relationships
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Grief, loss and adjustment
- Behavioural concerns
- Life transitions, including adolescence
- Supporting children and families involved with complex care systems
Outside work I am a father of 3 boys, uncle of 5 nieces, AFL coach and player. I love spending time with my kids playing or building or jumping or riding. My driving motivation is to help all children and young people, including my own, reach their potential.
Bharti Gitay
Mental Health Social Worker
Bharti is a Mental Health Clinician & Family Therapist with around 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life challenges. Being an Accredited Clinical Mental Health Social Worker, she works in a holistic manner with clients from young children to adolescents, young adults, and mature adults.
Bharti specializes in working with young children and families, using play therapy and family systems approaches to support emotional expression, strengthen relationships, and promote healing. As often the only Family Therapist within multidisciplinary teams, she takes pride in uniting families, navigating complex family trauma, and reshaping unhelpful dynamics into healthier patterns of communication and connection.
Her therapeutic approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored, drawing on evidence-based modalities such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Motivational Counselling
Bharti believes therapy should never be one-size-fits-all. She provides a safe, nurturing space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported to move toward healing and growth at their own pace.
Bharti completed her master’s degree at the University of Queensland and began her career in child and adolescent trauma support. Her professional experience spans end-of-life care, refugee work, youth homelessness, recovery-based acute mental health, and private practice.
As a Multicultural Ambassador, she is passionate about community mental health advocacy, Bharti volunteers her time to raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health within diverse and multicultural communities,
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, listening to music, and engaging in community initiatives.
Sometime the world seems against you; the journey may leave a scar; but the scars can heal and reveal just who you are.
- Gramma Tala, Moana
Bianca Pereira
Psychologist
Hi, I’m Bianca, and I am a psychologist who has been supporting children, adolescents, and adults since 2017.
I’m passionate about helping people better understand themselves, build on their strengths, and create meaningful, lasting change. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and non-judgemental space where you feel comfortable showing up as your authentic self and exploring what matters most to you at your own pace.
I believe that therapy should be tailored to the individual. Together, we will identify goals that are meaningful to you and develop strategies that align with your unique strengths, values, and experiences. I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and attachment-informed frameworks, adapting therapy to best support your needs.
I work from a neuroaffirming, strengths-based perspective, recognising and respecting neurodiversity. My aim is to support clients in understanding themselves, reducing distress where needed, and building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling on their own terms.
My areas of interest and passion include and are not limited to:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Anxiety and mood concerns
- Body image and body acceptance
- Adjustment and life changes
- Self-esteem and identity
- Learning differences and educational challenges
- Parenting support
- Peer and social relationships
- Self-harm
- Stress and burnout
- Suicidal thoughts and emotional distress
Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.
- Maya Angelou
Caroline Li
Psychologist
Caroline is a registered psychologist who works primarily with children and their families, with a focus on learning, development, and emotional wellbeing. She enjoys helping parents and schools better understand how a child learns, thinks, and experiences the world, particularly when learning or emotional challenges are present.
Caroline has experience working within the NDIS and supporting children with neurodiverse presentations, including autism and ADHD. Her work includes assessment as well as ongoing therapeutic and functional support, helping children build skills, confidence, and regulation across home, school, and community settings. She takes a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach and aims to provide support that feels practical, meaningful, and achievable for families.
Known for her bubbly and energetic style, Caroline connects easily with children while also offering a calm, steady presence when it is needed. She is highly client-focused and values building strong, trusting relationships with children, caregivers, and schools. Caroline works collaboratively with families and other professionals to ensure supports are well coordinated and responsive to each child’s individual needs.
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
- Christopher Robin
Elle Ee
Psychologist
Hello, I’m Elle. I am a registered Psychologist who has been working with children, young people, and their families with a variety of needs. I have a warm, creative, and collaborative approach with a focus on supporting children to feel safe, heard, empowered and to develop confidence in their abilities.
I like to work from an integrative, child-centred framework, drawing on a range of evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and therapies drawn from attachment theory, tailoring support to each child’s unique needs, strengths, and experiences.
My focus is on building safe and trusting relationships, with recognition that children need to feel safe in order to learn, grow, and engage in therapy. I work closely with parents and caregivers by checking in regularly to ensure skills learned in sessions are on track and aligned with their child’s goals. I believe that meaningful change happens when the adults in the child’s life feel supported and confident to help their child beyond the therapy room.
My areas of therapy include:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Anxiety: separation anxiety, selective mutism, OCD, phobias
- Behavioural concerns
- Depression
- Emotional regulation skills development
- Executive functioning difficulties
- Learning differences
- Parenting support
- School avoidance and support
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Social skills and peer relationships
I am looking forward to working alongside your child and family to support growth, confidence, and positive change moving forward!
The past shouldn’t be feared for it guides our future.
- Moana
Jacklyn Whybrow
Mental Health Social Worker
Jacklyn provides psychotherapy from an evidence-based framework, continues to engage in formal training, and offers specialist training in an evidence-based therapeutic approach to working with children, young people, and their families.
Specialties:
- Family Therapy (domestic family violence, separation, blended families)
- Child and Youth
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- School refusal
- Stabilisation
- Gender (people of diverse bodies, genders and sexualities),
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Grief and Loss
- Attachment Disorders
- ADHD/ADD
- Eating Disorders
- Emotional Regulation
- Trauma
Jacklyn is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has practised in mental health and alcohol and addiction services for the past 20 years. Jacklyn is a clinical specialist in working with children, young people and their families/carers who have experienced trauma, domestic and family violence, grief and loss or the impacts of adverse events on the family or individual.
Jacklyn holds a clinical master’s degree in Social Work practice and is completing a master’s in systems family therapy. Jacklyn works as a clinical specialist in providing psychotherapy to people who have experienced childhood neglect and abuse, children and young people who are a victim of crime or who have experienced the impact of crimes.
Jacklyn is a Credentialed Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Practitioner and Trainer who facilitates DBT programs and DBT-informed individual therapy.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is an evidence-based treatment shown to effectively reduce high-risk or life-threatening behaviours in individuals dealing with complex trauma, severe emotional regulation challenges, and related risks.
Jacklyn is trained in various therapeutic approaches, including Somatic Trauma Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-based interventions.
Jacklyn’s professional interests include providing effective therapeutic interventions for children, young people and their families/carers who present with a range of mental health issues, including non-suicidal self-injury, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, family separation/divorce, school refusal, anxiety disorders, depression, drugs and alcohol, grief and loss.
A day without laughter is a day wasted.
- Charlie Chaplin
Jodie Watney
Psychologist
I’m dedicated to supporting individuals in achieving their personal goals and improving their well-being. Over the years, I’ve gained valuable experience working in the disability sector with people on the autism spectrum and those navigating a range of psychosocial challenges. My approach is client-centred and evidence-based, focusing on tailored interventions and assessments that meet each person’s unique needs.
I have a strong interest in helping children, teens, emerging adults, and their families work through developmental and mental health challenges. I believe kids learn and grow best through focusing on their strengths, providing appropriate support, and engaging in play. My approach is all about making sure people feel understood and supported in a compassionate environment using trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practices.
My career spans both research and clinical practice, with experience in diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism (using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, ADOS-2) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Additionally, I can complete functional capacity, cognitive, and academic assessments to identify strengths and areas of support.
I am also passionate about advocacy and have a solid understanding of the NDIS, both as a provider and from the participant’s perspective. I’m committed to helping my clients feel empowered and get the support they need through the NDIS review process.
As a therapist, I use evidence-based therapies, including play therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Areas of therapy include:
- Autism
- Anger and aggression
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Behavioural concerns
- Demand Avoidance
- Depression
- Executive function difficulties
- Gender identity
- Life transitions
- NDIS reviews and change of circumstances
- Parenting
- Phobias
- School avoidance
- Self-esteem
- Trauma
Beyond therapy, I enjoy collaborating with professionals, creating resources, and engaging in continuous learning to ensure I’m offering the most up-to-date and effective care. My work is not just a career; it’s a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
- Oscar Wilde
Page Schneider
Senior Occupational Therapist
Page joined Child’s Play as a Senior Occupational Therapist in late 2025 with an interest in providing assessment and therapy services that are meaningful.
Page has over ten years of experience supporting children and adults across Brisbane and Melbourne to work towards client-centred goals. She understands that the therapy journey is different for everyone and leans in closely to learn what is important to the individual and their family.
Page has experience supporting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, chronic pain, degenerative conditions, developmental delay, feeding goals and genetic conditions. Page is familiar with supporting individuals who use a variety of communication methods. She is enthusiastic about providing therapy intervention which is tailored to an individual’s interests and is flexible to their needs and values through the following services:
Functional Capacity Assessment
- Feeding assessment and therapy
- Support to participate in daily activities when dealing with chronic pain
- Sensory processing assessment and education
- Help to participate in daily activities (i.e. toileting, dressing, play)
- Specific skill development
- Goal setting (if help is needed to understand what will be beneficial)
With additional training in the following assessment and treatment modalities (amongst others), Page is able to identify an assessment or therapy approach which best suits the individual:
- Occupational Performance Coaching
- Interoception Curriculum
- The Alert Program
- Motivational Interviewing
- Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding
- Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP)
She appreciates the opportunity to work closely with the important people in an individual’s life whether that be another allied health professional, family member or educator. Working in multidisciplinary teams and leading Occupational Therapy peers has afforded Page valuable communication, problem solving and team collaboration skills. Page ensures that therapy intervention and recommendations are a good fit for an individual’s life.
Page looks forward to finding out what is important to you and walking alongside you towards your goal.
Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.
- Pema Chodron
Vicki Steel
Psychologist
I am a down to earth, empathetic therapist who likes to ensure clients and families feel at ease in session. I take a collaborative approach to working with you toward your desired goals using evidence-based therapies, including: play therapy for younger clients, cognitive behavioural therapy, compassion focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy. I will also regularly check if you are finding sessions helpful as it is important to me that we have a joint understanding of your concerns and experiences, the strategies we will use, your goals, and whether our time together feels supportive and on-track.
When working with children I enjoy incorporating games and creative activities into therapy to help them feel comfortable, safe and empowered. This in turn can help grow their confidence, develop a sense of pride and self-belief.
I work with children, teens and adults and my areas of interest include:
- Neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD
- Parenting
- Behaviour management
- Anxiety, panic attacks and phobias
- Depression
- Grief, loss and adjustment to life changes
- Interpersonal issues and social skills
- Bullying, including cyber-bullying
- Self-esteem issues
- Perfectionism
- Domestic and family violence
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
- Viktor Frankl
Yingying Tang
Clinical Psychologist
Hello, I’m Yingying. I am a clinical psychologist with a deep passion for supporting children and their families. I completed my Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours at the University of Queensland (UQ) before earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Central Queensland University (CQU). My approach is client-centered, warm, and collaborative, ensuring that each child feels safe, valued, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.
I strongly believe in the power of a nurturing and supportive environment to foster growth and healing. Establishing a trusting therapist-client relationship is at the heart of my practice, as it plays a crucial role in achieving meaningful progress. My priority is to help children feel comfortable and engaged in therapy, particularly those who may be anxious, uncertain, or reluctant to seek support. I strive to create a space where children and their families feel heard, respected, and encouraged to explore their strengths and challenges.
My approach to therapy is compassionate, strengths-based, and evidence-driven, integrating techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), play-based therapy, and client-centered strategies. I tailor interventions to each child’s unique needs, recognising that every child has their own internal energy and potential for positive change. By combining structured psychological interventions with creative, play-based methods, I aim to make therapy both engaging and effective.
I have a particular interest in working with children and families to support them in the following areas:
- Anxiety (generalised anxiety, panic attacks, separation anxiety)
- Depression and mood difficulties
- Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) management
- Social skills and peer relationships
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Parenting strategies and family dynamics
In my work, I prioritise a holistic and family-inclusive approach, collaborating with parents and caregivers to provide children with the most effective and consistent support. My goal is to help children develop resilience, emotional well-being, and the confidence to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of autonomy and self-belief.
I look forward to meeting you and your child, and working together to create a positive and supportive path forward
To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.
- Dr. Seuss
Katherine De Maria
Clinical Psychologist
** Katherine is currently on maternity leave **
As a Clinical Psychologist, I aim to provide a safe and supportive environment where I seek to help my clients articulate their experiences and emotions, understand the nature of their challenges, and to collaboratively develop meaningful treatment strategies.
My approach to therapy is to be compassionate, gentle and curious. I like to be present in the moment for my clients, whilst gently challenging them to in turn, be curious about themselves and mindfully consider their experiences. I believe that the individual knows themselves best and value the insights my clients have, and I provide a safe space to encourage and explore self-reflection. In this setting I can help with anxiety, panic attacks and phobias; depression; stress and coping; autism spectrum disorder and NDIS; eating disorders; trauma, grief, loss and adjustment to life changes.
My clients can be confident in receiving high quality, evidence-based service. This includes the use of treatment principles such as cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, attachment theory, trauma-informed therapy, compassion focussed therapy, creative therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy.
I have broad experience working with clients of all ages, and am particularly drawn to working creatively with children, adolescents, young adults and their families. I also work collaboratively with parents to help support the development of secure attachments with their children using the Circle of Security framework.
I am passionate about Animal Assisted Therapy and work creatively with my therapy dog Charlie. If you would like to him to be part of our session, please let us know.
Qualifications:
- Full registration as an endorsed Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons), University of Queensland
- Master of Clinical Psychology, Queensland University of Technology.
- STAP accredited psychology supervisor
- Facilitator of the Circle of Security parenting program.
- Animal Assisted Therapy Human Canine Team (Level I)
Complaining is easy. Doing something positive is where gold lies.
- Anonymous
Marcus Coleman
Managing Director
Marcus joined Child’s Play Qld as Managing Director in 2024.
With a career spanning 25 years, Marcus has been supporting large teams of health service providers since 2015.
Marcus loves supporting the amazing team at Child’s Play Qld to work with more clients, thus maximising the incredible clinical experience available in the clinic. He is particularly grateful to have landed in a practice with long-standing therapists and support staff who value their support for and from each other, and who are also keen for Child’s Play Qld to support as many community members as possible.
Beyond Child’s Play Qld, Marcus provides a business support service and coaching to Allied Health business owners. Marcus actively contributes to the community through his Board roles in two Brisbane-based disability service organisations, BestLife Foundation (Board Member) and Swara (Chairperson).
Marcus loves spending time with Kate and their 3 kids, preferably outdoors and a long way from a screen! He fills any gaps with mountain biking, running, and playing or watching Aussie Rules football, in particular his beloved Mighty Magpies.
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
- Walt Disney
Limah Bahir
Practice Manager
Limah joined the Child’s Play Qld team in January 2025. Limah has over 15 years of experience in management and operations, with background in insurance, allied health and NDIS. Limah excels in optimising processes, leading high-performing teams, and enhancing service delivery. She has successfully managed teams while streamlining workflows, improving policies, and driving operational success. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, she fosters collaboration to achieve strategic objectives.
Limah’s career highlights include extensive experience in staff training, workflow optimisation, and leadership development, supported by an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management and various professional certifications. Known for her adaptability and results-driven approach, she consistently delivers a passion for serving the community as the Practice Manager for Childs Play Qld.
You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.
- Sophia Bush
Nicola Catalano
Client Support Administrator
Nicola joined the Child’s Play Qld team in late 2025 as a Client Services Officer. She has two years’ experience in allied health administration from her previous role as a Dental Receptionist/Assistant. Nicola is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and is excited to broaden her understanding of the intricacies that come with working in a busy psychology practice.
Nicola is passionate about supporting young people in their mental health journey and providing a calm and inviting environment for clients as they enter the space. She appreciates the opportunity to be a part of a kind, caring and knowledgeable team.
Outside of work, Nicola enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, staying active and listening to live music.
