Master to Mentor: Leadership, Connection & Growth in Play Therapy

This conference aims to foster professional progression through connection, collaboration, and shared learning.

Monday, February 16, 2026

09:00 Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country

09:20 Australian Journal of Play Therapy

09:30 Keynote Address - Dr Lorri Yasenik

Mentors without boarders: Using the play therapy dimensions model as a map for navigating play therapy decision making.

11:00 Morning tea

11:30 Jess Bishop & Danae Armstrong

Integrative Play Therapy in the Family Violence Context

12:30 Nicky Nilsson & Leanne Elliston

Food for Thought Play

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Michelle Smith & Adriana Sorbo

A Reflective Exploration of the Therapist’s Cultural Use of Self in the Playroom

15:00 Afternoon tea

15:30

Lucy Griffin

“Play is a child’s language”: Enhancing play therapy to support communication development

Raelene Dundon

Supporting children with Pathological Demand Avoidance using Humanistic Play Therapy

16:30 -17.00

Alisa Tanaka-King

Drawing the Unspoken: Using Illustration as Reflective Practice in the Playroom

Nicky Nilsson

Play Therapist’s Can Support Children and Families Post Natural Disaster Research

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Tuesday, 17 February,2026

09:00 Keynote address - Dr Natalie Hadiprodjo

Navigating the Professional Landscape of Play Therapy in Australia and beyond.

10:30 Morning tea

11:00 Lesley Harvey

Working in Silos: The Experience of a Play Therapist in Geographical and Team Isolation.

11:30 Amy Cox

Reimaging the Power of Play for 21st Century Children

12:30 Lunch

13:30

Alyce Goss, Lucy Griffin, & A/Prof Judi Parson

Tele play therapy

Belinda Dean & Michelle Perrin

Reflections of medical play therapy in practice: case conceptualisation and therapeutic processes.

14:00 Dr Siobhan Casey & Bridget Sarah

Revisiting Winnicott and the transitional space: Informing clinical decision making.

15:00 Afternoon tea

15:30 – 17.00

Spotlight 1 – Connection

Facilitated by

Dr Siobhan Casey & Rhiannon Breguet

Spotlight 2 – Leadership

Facilitated by

Dr Natalie Hadiprdjo & Sarah Hickson

CONTACT INFORMATION

Judi Parson - Email: judi.parson@deakin.edu.au