Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing through play, connection and advocacy
Under our canopy, every child can thrive.
At Canopy Children’s Therapy, children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing are supported through the evidence-based practice of play therapy, in a space where they feel safe, seen and valued. Play is a child’s natural language and is recognised in research as a powerful way for children to process emotions, experiences, relationships and challenges in developmentally appropriate ways.
Canopy Children’s Therapy is led by Kierra, a Masters-trained Registered Play Therapist with the Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). Kierra’s practice is neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, developmentally responsive and ethically grounded, with a deeply relational focus at its heart. She works alongside children and their families in a way that honours each child’s unique strengths, experiences and context, and supports caregivers to build confidence, connection and understanding in supporting their child’s emotional world.
How Play Therapy Supports Mental Health and Wellbeing
Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling or what they have experienced. Play therapy provides a developmentally appropriate way for children to express, process and regulate emotions.
Play therapy can support children who may be experiencing:
Anxiety, worries or big emotions
Behavioural challenges or emotional shutdown
Trauma responses
Medical fear or medical trauma
Neurodivergence including ADHD, autism, OCD and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy)
Family changes, such as separation, divorce or shifts in caregiving arrangements
Experiences of identity, belonging or self-expression
Kinship care, foster care or other transitions
Death or loss of a loved one
Social and emotional difficulties
Low self-esteem, confidence or mood concerns
Through a trusting therapeutic relationship, children are supported to build emotional regulation, resilience, self-understanding and positive mental health over time.
A Child-Centred, Trauma-Informed and Neuro-Affirming Approach
My work is grounded in:
Child-centred play therapy
Trauma-informed practice
Neuro-affirming support
Attachment-informed practice
Strengths-based and developmental approaches
My practice is grounded in contemporary research in child development, attachment theory, trauma-informed care and the therapeutic powers of play. Play therapy is widely recognised as an effective mental health intervention for supporting children’s emotional regulation, behaviour, resilience and relational wellbeing.
Each child is met exactly where they are. Therapy is guided by the child’s lead, interests and inner world. I also integrate modelling and therapeutic play strategies when children appear stuck, helping them gently expand their capacity for emotional expression, flexibility and connection.
Who I Work With
Children aged approximately 3 to 12 years
Neurodivergent children and their families
Children exploring identity, belonging or self-expression
Children experiencing mental health, emotional, behavioural and relational challenges
Parents, carers, guardians and caregivers seeking connection-focused and mental health-informed support
Working With Parents, Carers and Families
Parents, carers, guardians and other important adults are a vital part of a child’s mental health and healing journey and are supported as active partners in the therapy process. I work collaboratively with families and caregiving networks to:
Strengthen child-caregiver relationships
Build confidence in emotional and mental health support
Understand behaviour through a relational and developmental lens
Support regulation, resilience and connection at home
Contact Us
Interested in working together to support your child? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!