Nikki Burgess
Nikki Burgess
FounderPersonal Biography:
For over 20 years Nikki has worked with children and families, including working in behaviour support for children with additional needs and trauma, and has coordinated programs for at-risk children and families at various NFP’s both in Australia and New Zealand. Nikki is a registered counsellor, early years educator & certified Play Therapist. She has specialist clinical training in Child Centred Play Therapy and Interplay (Family) Play Therapy. She works with children and adults individually as well as in family sessions. Nikki believes we all hold within us the capacity for positive change, and strongly advocates for the power of play in healing and growth.
Nikki has experience working with a range of challenges that can impact on children’s wellbeing, such as social and peer difficulties, attachment and emotional problems, grief and loss, anxiety, and neurological concerns.
Nikki works from a trauma informed perspective, where the principles of attachment and latest research into interpersonal neurobiology form the foundations of her work. From her early days working with children and families across multiple early education settings, Nikki has been a huge advocate for the incredible power of play and creativity. She also strongly believes in the power of collaborative, integrated and informed relationships with parents and carers. Such relationships provide the ultimate foundation for supporting children and their families to heal from trauma, discover and utilise their unique strengths and abilities and ultimately flourish.
Nikki has four wonderful children, who she is very proud of, and who have been her greatest teachers
Qualification:
- Registered Counsellor with ACA
- Diploma of Counselling
- Diploma of Children’s Services
- Clinical Training in Child-Centered Play Therapy and Interplay Therapy
- Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist and Interplay Therapist
Services:
- Individual play therapy
- Family play therapy
- Sibling play therapy
- Parent coaching
- Workshops
Client Reviews
See first hand from parents whose children found a safe place to grow and shine through our play therapy.
Dominique
Nikki and her services have been absolutely wonderful for our Family. Both my boys are comfortable and enjoy spending time with her in the play room, which is no surprise with her calm presence and genuine interpersonal skills. She is very experienced, knowledgeable and supportive and has helped our family navigate some serious parenthood challenges. I could not recommend her highly enough!
Laura
When you have a child dealing with trauma, it can be hard to know who to trust enough to help them heal and feel safe again. Nikki has been that person for my son and she has gone above and beyond to ensure that she is supporting him and our whole family in a way that is positively impacting all of us. My son has had many shifts in his time with Nikki and even if something new arises, Nikki continues to help him and us through it. I can't recommend Nikki enough.
Melbourne, AU
Brenna
In 2022 our family faced a number of challenges and huge life changes and my 8 year old son, who has always been prone to anxiety, was struggling with regular violent melt downs, disregulation at home and school and a great deal of anxiety. Nikki quickly built a strong rapport with our son, and within a matter of weeks his meltdowns stopped altogether. He was soon able to integrate the big changes he had experienced and remain well regulated in his daily life. He trudged into his play therapy sessions with Nikki carrying a heavy load and literally skipped out of them singing. We have sought support from many different practitioners and modalities for our son over the years with little success, so we are overjoyed by the profound and long lasting positive impact that play therapy with Nikki has gifted us. We have gone from walking on eggshells to avoid meltdowns to enjoying our time together as a family. Play Therapy with Nikki is the best money we have ever spent on our sons wellbeing.
Melbourne, AUAlison Otto
Alison Otto
Counsellor | Play TherapistPersonal Biography:
Alison has a passion for working and supporting children and their families and has been doing this for over 15 years. She has been privileged to work in education, hospital, and therapeutic settings which has provided her a wide
scope of experience and knowledge.
She has a Masters of Play Therapy and is a qualified Counsellor and Child Educator.
Previous and current study has supported Alison to adopt an Integrative Play Therapy approach including Child-Centred Play Therapy, Family (Filial) Therapy, and Synergetic Play Therapy. This supports individualised therapy based on the child’s unique therapeutic needs.
One of her greatest teachers has been her young daughter, and the journey of being a mother.
Alison’s practice is shaped by belief in the power of play, the child’s inner strength, and collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers based on safety, respect, and acceptance. She strives to provide a safe space where the
child can be who they truly are and are supported to connect with self,
strengthen who they are, and begin to heal.
Services:
- Child-Centred Play Therapy
- Family (Filial) Therapy
- Synergetic Play Therapy
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