Seriously fun therapy for children, teens and parents.
Playful Healing Therapy is a private practice in Shepparton, Victoria. Barbara Beirao is an accredited Allied Health Social Worker, Play Therapist, Autism Assessor and Mental Health Clinician, with extensive experience providing mental health support to parents, adolescents, and children.
Our services
Playful Healing Therapy is a Private Practice.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
Play therapy meets and responds to the children’s emotional needs.
Learn moreAutism and Neurodevelopmental Assessment
If something about your child’s development, behaviour or emotions is worrying you, our assessment can help you understand how they think and what support they need.
Learn moreLEGO-Based Therapy (integrated in Play Therapy)
LEGO-Based Therapy is an evidence-based approach designed to help children with Autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, social skills, relationship's difficulties, and concentration.
Learn moreMental Health Counselling
Counselling with Barbara, an accredited Allied Health Social Worker and Mental Health Clinician.
Get in touchParent Coaching
Parent Coaching is based on Filial Therapy which was designed to treat emotional and behavioral difficulties in children by teaching parents how to adequately respond to their children's emotional needs.
Learn moreConsultancy
Barbara is a skilled family violence counsellor and consultant. Get in touch to talk about consultancy.
Get in touchPlay Therapy Process
From your first form to your child’s mastery, step by step.
Intake
The intake form gathers comprehensive information about the child and the child's history. It assists us in understanding the child and the reasons for referral. The form is available on our website and completed online (click on “Intake form” in the menu).
Interview with parents/carers
This is an opportunity for the parents/caregivers and the therapist to have a more detailed conversation about the child and the family environment. The therapist will go over expectations and explain what play therapy is and, in conjunction with the parents/caregivers, set some timeframes and goals for the child. This session will take approximately 1 to 2 hours max.
Initial session with the child
The therapist will ask one of the parents/caregivers to stay in the playroom with the child. This is so the therapist can start building trust and engagement with the child and it will allow the child to feel safe by having a familiar face around. This is an opportunity for the therapist to observe the child and how they interact in the playroom environment. This session will take approximately 45 min.
Review meetings
In the review meetings, the therapist will ask about the progress and/or regression of the child. Some regression is normal and expected. It's an opportunity to exchange information with parents/caregivers about the child's journey since starting play therapy and see if the initial goals set have been achieved. This meeting will take approximately an hour.
Mastery
Play therapy happens within the child's timeframe so rather than set an end to the play therapy sessions, we focus on the goals aimed for the child. Child-centred play therapy has four stages: Warm Up, Aggression, Regression and Mastery. It's not possible to establish the necessary number of sessions for the child to achieve Mastery.
About Barbara Beirao
Barbara has worked in both the government and the not-for-profit sector, in New Zealand and Australia.
Barbara is a highly trained professional with extensive experience in providing mental health support to parents, adolescents, and children. Her expertise includes assessments, child-centered play therapy, and parent skills training. With her compassionate and caring approach, Barbara is dedicated to helping families navigate their mental health challenges and achieve positive outcomes.
- Accredited Allied Health Social Worker (AASW)
- Accredited AASW Mentor
- Autism Assessor Qualified
- Certified Facilitator of LEGO-Based Therapy
- Safe & Together Trainer Facilitator (Family Violence Specialist)
Parents Recommend
Barb has been an amazing support for our child and our family. She has quickly built a strong connection with our child and was able to recognize their strengths and challenges.
Barb provided invaluable advice and practical strategies that have helped with emotional regulation, communication, and navigating school transitions.
Her sessions are always safe and nurturing, and our child feels understood. Barb is highly experienced and compassionate, and has had a positive impact on our child’s development and well-being. Thank you, Barb.
Barbara has been instrumental in helping our son navigate his way into primary school and a recent ASD diagnosis.
She is supportive, understanding and was able to build a beautiful friendship in which our son was able to fully express himself in a safe and supportive environment.
I would highly recommend Barb at Playful Healing Therapy.
Barb has been absolutely incredible, in not only helping my daughter as well as helping me learn her triggers and how to cope with her on rough days, and is continuing to do awesome work.
We’ve had such a wonderful experience with Barbara as our play therapist.
She is incredibly warm, caring, and attentive, and instantly made both my child and I feel comfortable. Barbara takes the time to truly connect, and her gentle, supportive nature has made a big difference for our family.
We’re so grateful to have found her and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a thoughtful and compassionate therapist.
Barb has been a game-changer for our family. She has built a connection and trust with our child and we have seen so much positive change in the time they have worked together.
She has also been a guide to us as parents with strategies to support our child. She's brought calmness to our household and we can not thank her enough for her help and support.
Many years ago I had the pleasure of working along side Barb as a professional, and now I have the pleasure of referring my clients and families to Barb at Playful Healing.
I cannot recommend Barb highly enough. If you want results, that come with empathy and a very high skill set and training, then look no further.
Thanks Barb, its always a pleasure working professionally with you, and your results speak for themselves!
Barbara was incredible! She got to know my child and really accommodated to his needs and my families needs.
She really did help us a lot through a tough time.
Cannot thank her enough!
I’m so glad I came across Barb and the work she does. Having my son assessed by her, not only through the play-based approach itself, but through who she is as a person, made the whole experience incredibly positive. The way she interacted with my son showed just how much she genuinely cares about her therapy, her assessments, and the families she works with.
The report she provided for my son’s diagnosis was excellent, and every conversation I’ve had with her has been an absolute pleasure. I only wish we could continue with her long-term, but with my family relocating, that won’t be possible. Even so, I’m truly grateful that we had the opportunity to work with her.
We were really happy with the assessment and the outcomes, and I’m especially thankful that she listened, understood, and even checked in afterwards to make sure everything was okay. It meant a lot.
Thank you Barb!
Supervision for people doing heavy work
Online clinical supervision with Barbara, for social workers, family violence practitioners, youth workers, counsellors and students.
Referral partners
We accept referrals from our partners:
- Anglicare Victoria
- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- GPs and Medical Practices
- Junction Support Services - VAP
- Mariam Community - St. Vincent Care
- NDIS Self and Plan Managed
- Primary Care Connect
- Rumbalara Aboriginal Family Services
- The Bridge
- The Orange Door
- Victims of Crime
- WorkSafe Providers
Join our waiting list
Send us an email and we will add you to the list.