Shannen is a passionate and caring Registered Play Therapist with over a decade of experience working with children and families within a range of settings. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and a Master’s in Play Therapy with experience across the UK and Australia. These experiences have taught her how children communicate through play, relationships, and the world around them, sparking a passion to create a space where they feel safe enough to be themselves.

Shannen’s therapeutic approach is grounded in developmental, attachment, and relational theory that is underpinned by creative, play-based interventions. She offers a nurturing, child-centred space where children can explore their experiences through play, art, movement, music, games and storytelling, at their own pace. She views the child and their needs through a neurodevelopmental, culturally sensitive and trauma -informed lens, with insight into how early relationships and experiences shape a child’s holistic wellbeing and development.

Shannen believes in working collaboratively with all the people in a child’s world, helping create supportive environments where healing and growth can continue beyond the playroom.

In her time outside of the playroom Shannen enjoys playing team sports, indulging in delicious food, spending time with friends and family, patting dogs and playing games with whoever is willing. She can’t wait to meet you and welcome you into the playroom!

Anastasia is a kind and passionate Speech Pathologist with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Hons). At the heart of her practice is the belief that every child has the right to communicate and be understood, and that all forms of communication deserve to be valued and supported.

Anastasia has experience working with children and adults with a range of support needs through the NDIS, including autism, intellectual disability, global developmental delay and other neurodevelopmental conditions. She has a strong passion in supporting young children to develop their communication skills, including speech, language, social communication and the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC).

Anastasia takes a neuroaffirming, child-centred approach to therapy, creating supportive and engaging environments where children can explore, connect and communicate in ways that work for them. She enjoys incorporating play, the child's interests and everyday routines into sessions to make learning meaningful, enjoyable and relevant to each child's life. She also recognises that communication development extends beyond therapy sessions, which is why she values working collaboratively with families, caregivers and other members of a child's support network. Through parent coaching and practical strategies, Anastasia aims to empower those around each child to support their communication development in everyday life.

Outside of work, Anastasia enjoys winding down with a good book or binge-watching her current obsession, Clarkson's Farm. She also loves spending time with friends, sharing a laugh and enjoying some sun. She looks forward to meeting you in the playroom!

Kiara is a warm and compassionate Child and Adolescent Counsellor with a strong interest in supporting children and young people as they navigate life’s challenges, transitions and milestones. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive space where all children feel heard, understood and empowered.

With a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Master of Counselling, Rehabilitation and Mental Health, Kiara brings a unique perspective to her practice through her background in occupational rehabilitation. Kiara has experience supporting TAC and WorkSafe clients in their return-to-work journey, which has fostered her passion for helping young people navigate important life transitions, from starting school or university to taking their first steps into the workforce.

At the heart of Kiara’s practice is the belief that every child deserves to have their voice heard. She takes a collaborative, strengths-based approach, with a particular interest in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Kiara tailors her approach to each child’s developmental stage, individual needs, personality and goals, ensuring therapy is engaging and meaningful.

Kiara is passionate about building genuine connections with children and families and creating a welcoming, non-judgemental environment where young people can feel safe to be themselves, explore their emotions and build confidence. She believes therapy should be collaborative, engaging and guided by the child, recognising that everyone communicates and experiences the world in their own way.

Outside of work, Kiara enjoys staying active at the gym and working towards her daily 10,000 steps. On weekends, she loves exploring new cafés in search of the perfect iced matcha, enjoying a little shopping, and spending quality time with family and friends. Kiara looks forward to meeting you and supporting you along your journey.

Daisy is a passionate, skilled and creative Occupational Therapist who studied at Northumbria University in England, holding a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy. She brings diverse clinical and community experience, including specialised work in children's therapy teams across a variety of settings. Her targeted expertise encompasses Early Intervention and Paediatric Occupational Therapy, supporting children and young adults to thrive.

Her passion for Occupational Therapy comes from her aspiration to help every child live their fullest, happiest life. Empowering children to develop key skills—from daily routines and class-room activities to sensory processing and fine/gross motor skills—using therapeutic, evidence-based, and individualised approaches. Through Functional Capacity Assessments and child-led sessions, she designs tailored intervention plans to work towards goals at home, school, and in the community—building confidence and independence while collaborating with Bloom's multidisciplinary team to holistically support clients.

Daisy supports children from a wide range of backgrounds to build on their unique strengths and participate in daily living activities. Valuing child-centred, neuro-affirming, and intentional approaches to care. She focuses on building strong, trust-based relationships with children and their families so therapy feels like an empowering, fun experience where they can build confidence, gain independence, and achieve meaningful goals.

She warmly welcomes children, young adults, and families into an inclusive and safe environment to grow and reach their full potential. Outside of the studio, Daisy loves staying active through yoga and gym sessions, as well as baking sweet treats in the kitchen on weekends! Daisy is excited to meet you and begin your journey together.

Keely is a Provisional Psychologist with a Master of Professional Psychology. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan and their families and is passionate about creating a warm, inclusive, and safe environment where everyone feels welcome and supported.

Keely provides therapeutic support and intervention across a range of areas, including emotional regulation, behavioural challenges, adjustment difficulties, anxiety, and depression. She also has experience working with a range of diagnoses and presentations, from assessment, formulation and diagnosis through to intervention. Keely focuses on tailoring evidence-based interventions to meet the individual needs, goals, and developmental stage of each client. Her sessions aim to provide clients with psychoeducation and strategies to better understand and manage their emotions, behaviours, and experiences, while supporting them to build confidence and develop skills that can be applied in their everyday lives.

Keely takes a warm, collaborative, and strengths-based approach to therapy, working alongside clients and their families to build understanding, develop practical skills, and support positive change. Her approach is child-centred, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming, with a focus on recognising and building on each child’s individual strengths, interests, and capabilities. She is passionate about helping clients feel heard, understood, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.

Outside of work, Keely enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and making the most of her weekends. She enjoys travelling, trying new restaurants and cafés, and watching sport, particularly AFL. Keely also loves keeping active and finding time to unwind with a good book or TV series.

Steph is the founder of Bloom Play Studio and a career educator and play therapist with more than a decade of experience supporting children through emotional and behavioural challenges. She is registered as a Teacher, Play Therapist and Counsellor, and her background spans the classroom, school counselling and the playroom.

Steph completed her play therapy training at the Queensland Institute of Play Therapy, covering both directive and non-directive approaches. She draws on child-centred, filial and synergetic play therapy to create a safe, nurturing space where children can express their feelings, build emotional regulation and develop resilience at their own pace.

Families are at the heart of Steph's work. She partners closely with parents and carers, offering guidance and practical strategies so the progress made in sessions carries over at home. As a registered teacher, she also helps families navigate the school system, from advocating for the right supports to working collaboratively with schools.

Outside the studio, Steph loves painting and art-making, and that creativity finds its way into her sessions through clay, drawing and imaginative play. She founded Bloom to be a safe, creative and empathetic space where every child can bloom, heal and grow, and she looks forward to welcoming you to the studio.

Pek Lin is a Child-Centred Play Therapist and experienced counsellor with more than 16 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in schools and community settings. She is passionate about creating a safe, accepting space where children feel heard, understood, and free to be themselves.

Pek Lin believes that every child has the capacity to grow, heal, and thrive. She understands that play is a child's natural language and that children often express their needs, feelings, and experiences through play when language is difficult to find.

In the playroom, Pek Lin provides a warm and trusting environment where children can explore their world at their own pace. Using unconditional positive regard and feeling accepted, children often develop greater confidence, emotional awareness, and resilience. They learn to express their feelings, make positive choices, respect boundaries, and build healthy relationships with others. Most importantly, children discover their own resources and learn to trust themselves.

Pek Lin supports children experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, and developmental challenges. Her approach is child-centred, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and strengths-based, recognising and building on each child's special interests and capacity.

She also values the important role parents and caregivers play in a child's wellbeing. Pek Lin works alongside families to strengthen connection, communication and confidence in the parent-child relationship. When needed, she collaborates with schools, health professionals, and community services to provide coordinated support for children and their families.

Pek Lin holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) from RMIT University, a Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology from Federation University, and completed the Child-Centred Play Therapy Clinical Program with Kylie Ellison Therapy and Training.

Outside of work, Pek Lin enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new adventures, caring for her indoor plants, and baking delicious treats—most of which mysteriously disappear shortly afterwards.

Rida is a speech pathologist who enjoys working with individuals and families to understand their communication needs and work towards goals that matter to them. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy and Audiology and provides services through the NDIS and Medicare. She speaks English, Urdu and Gujarati and values the different languages, cultures and experiences each person brings.

Rida provides assessment and intervention for speech delays and disorders, language delays and disorders, stuttering, voice disorders, social communication difficulties and literacy difficulties. Her work includes early communication development, comprehensive speech and language assessments and individualised therapy planning. She takes time to understand each person’s strengths, priorities and everyday experiences so that therapy and recommendations are practical and meaningful.

Her approach is person-centred and neuroaffirming, respecting different ways of thinking, learning, interacting and communicating. She focuses on supporting autonomy, self-expression and participation rather than expecting everyone to communicate in the same way. Rida aims to create a welcoming space where individuals feel understood, their communication preferences are respected and their goals guide the therapy process.

When working with children, Rida incorporates play, books, games and their interests to make sessions engaging and purposeful. Rida has completed DIR 101: An Introduction to DIR® and DIRFloortime®. This training has informed her understanding of how a child’s developmental stage, sensory processing differences and relationships influence engagement and communication. She brings this understanding to her play-based work, respecting each child’s interests, sensory preferences and individual ways of interacting.

Rida values a holistic approach and enjoys collaborating with families, support networks, educators and other professionals, where appropriate. She considers how relationships, routines and environments influence communication and shares practical strategies to support participation beyond the therapy room.

Outside of work, Rida enjoys travelling, watching movies, reading and exploring Melbourne. She also runs a social club, bringing people together to connect and build friendships.

Rida looks forward to meeting you and supporting you towards your communication goals.

Zeeva is Bloom Play Studio's therapy dog: a gentle, highly trained black Labrador who brings a calm, steady presence to the playroom. She was trained and placed through Guide Dogs Victoria and has been temperament-assessed for therapeutic and educational work.

Working alongside our therapists, Zeeva helps children feel safe, settled and connected, especially those who find new spaces or adult-led sessions overwhelming. Depending on what each child needs, she might rest quietly nearby, offer gentle contact, or join in play when invited. Her involvement is always guided by the therapist and linked to each child's goals, both in the studio and on school visits.

Like everyone at Bloom, Zeeva works from a child-centred, neuro-affirming approach. Children are never required to interact with her. Some love having her close, others prefer to watch from a distance, and both are completely okay. Her involvement is always discussed with families beforehand.

Zeeva's wellbeing matters just as much as the wellbeing of the children she supports, so her days include regular rest breaks and plenty of downtime. Off duty, she can usually be found stretched out with a favourite woven chew toy, and she has been known to wear a wizard hat and cape for special occasions. Zeeva looks forward to meeting you in the playroom!