About us
Our purpose is to foster excellence in child-centred play therapy practice for the benefit of children and their families. We will ensure the play therapy workforce in Aotearoa is ethical, competent and culturally-responsive so that vulnerable children affected by trauma, and their whānau, can heal and flourish.
Meet the Board Members
Karen Elliott
President
Kai Ora
I live in Lower Hutt and work part time as a child centred play therapist. I work for Barnardos the rest of the time as a Social Worker. I discovered CCPT when I was researching play therapists for a young person. I saw the CPW website and read the information and decided that I wanted to train. It has taken me a few years but have finally completed all my requirements to graduate and I will very soon become a provisional member working towards becoming registered.
I live in Lower Hutt and work part time as a child centred play therapist. I work for Barnardos the rest of the time as a Social Worker. I discovered CCPT when I was researching play therapists for a young person. I saw the CPW website and read the information and decided that I wanted to train. It has taken me a few years but have finally completed all my requirements to graduate and I will very soon become a provisional member working towards becoming registered.
Christine Lister
Treasurer
More coming soon.....
Cathie Stenhouse
Secretary
Kia Ora.I have lived in Tauranga for the past 10 years, following my time teaching in Taupo, Wellington, and the UK. While working in a leadership role in Taupo, I championed learning through play, which ignited my passion for play in all its forms. This interest has only deepened through my subsequent work as a Learning Support Coordinator and, currently, as a Specialist Teacher. I have found that my experience with play-based learning and my understanding of trauma-informed practice complement my training in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) perfectly. Over the last few years I have had the privilege to support children on their Play Therapy journeys. I relish time in the outdoors and am pleased that the ocean beaches are not too far away.
Odette Fourie
Communication Officer & Events
Kia ora, I live in the Manawatū with my husband and our two tamariki. I’ve always been guided by empathy and a deep desire to support others, which led me to a career in social work, and now I’ve found my passion in Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT).
I enjoy building meaningful connections and continuing to learn about tamariki and CCPT. In this role, I’m looking forward to supporting play therapists by creating opportunities for community, collaboration, and ongoing training.
I enjoy building meaningful connections and continuing to learn about tamariki and CCPT. In this role, I’m looking forward to supporting play therapists by creating opportunities for community, collaboration, and ongoing training.
Hayley Burwell
Bicultural Officer
Kia ora, My name is Hayley Burwell. I am an advanced intern in Child Centered Play Therapy. My mahi is in a primary school practicing CCPT and social work. I use my skills and networks to tautoko whanau, tamariki and staff who are part of our community. I absolutely love my mahi. I live in beautiful Taranaki, by the bush🌳, rivers 🏞️and on the surf coastal highway🌊, with my two dogs, sheep, and chickens. My whanau consists of my partner of 36yrs, four adult children and two mokopuna 💕. I love reading books, walking my dogs, cooking vegetarian kai, mini road trips, autumn weather 🍂 and great coffee 🙂, oh and my garden 🌳🌻.
I am grateful, nga mihi Hayley
I am grateful, nga mihi Hayley
Lucy Robins
Memberships Officer
Kia Ora, I'm Lucy, a Child-Centered Play Therapist (Intern), registered teacher and mother. From my curated, therapeutic play space in Albert Town, I help and support families by enabling positive growth through Child-Centered Play Therapy.
My teaching career of over 15 years in both Early Childhood and Primary settings has taught me that children learn and grow most effectively in an environment that promotes positive and caring relationships. I have found that this translates to all areas of life and believe that whatever our age and stage, well-being is a blend of mental, emotional and physical health - something that is often easier said than achieved!Through my teaching career I often saw the need for more emotional support for both children and their families - and so embarked on a new journey, training as a Child Centered Play Therapist with ChildPlayWorks. I wholeheartedly believe in the modality of CCPT as a gentle, positive, and effective way to support and grow our children through difficult and unsettling times.
My teaching career of over 15 years in both Early Childhood and Primary settings has taught me that children learn and grow most effectively in an environment that promotes positive and caring relationships. I have found that this translates to all areas of life and believe that whatever our age and stage, well-being is a blend of mental, emotional and physical health - something that is often easier said than achieved!Through my teaching career I often saw the need for more emotional support for both children and their families - and so embarked on a new journey, training as a Child Centered Play Therapist with ChildPlayWorks. I wholeheartedly believe in the modality of CCPT as a gentle, positive, and effective way to support and grow our children through difficult and unsettling times.
Ani De Koster
Officer
More coming soon.....
Our Founding Dcocument
As an incorporated society, we are guided by our founding document, our constitution.