Meet Rochelle
Founder and owner of Play and Beyond
Hi, I’m Rochelle, founder and owner of Play and Beyond, with nearly 20 years of experience in early childhood education and intervention.
My passion for helping children began with my daughter’s expressive play, inspiring me to pursue a career focused on supporting young minds. Over the years, I’ve worked in childcare centres and kindergartens, advocating for personalised, child-centred approaches to learning and development.
As a mother to neurodivergent children, including my young son who has autism, ADHD, and 1Q21.1 Duplicate Syndrome, I have firsthand experience with the challenges that come with developmental and emotional needs.
Being neurodivergent myself has deepened my understanding and strengthened my resolve to support neurodivergent children and their families. This diagnosis has allowed me to embrace my own unique perspective and use it to connect with children in a more authentic way.
With a Bachelor of Education specialising in Early Childhood and clinical training in Play Therapy, I’m dedicated to helping children navigate behavioural, emotional, and cognitive challenges.
At Play and Beyond, I believe "there is no wrong or right way to learn; there is only their way!" My mission is to empower children through play, helping them heal, grow, and thrive on their own terms.
Qualifications and training
- Certificate lll in Children's Services
- Diploma in Children's Services
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
- Post Graduate Clinical Training in Child Centred Play Therapy
- Training in Sandtray Therapy
- The Creative Use of Puppets in Play Therapy
- Master of Counselling - currently studying
- Trauma Informed Certificate for Coaches
- Certified Facilitator LEGO® Based Therapy
- Therapeutic Parenting (Child-Parent Relationship Therapy) Facilitator Course
Meet Sigrid
Specialisation: Creative Arts
Hi, I am Sigrid!
* I have three children, 2 in primary and one in secondary school.
* I love exploring nature and finding interesting creatures and plants.
* I love bike-riding, craft, playing music and making up stories and songs.
* I love performing on stage - singing, dancing and acting!
I have been teaching drama and the Arts to children of all ages for over 20 years. Throughout this time, I have come to see the value of play and creative expression in enhancing wellbeing, developing and expressing a sense of identity, as well as in the processing of experiences and events within people’s lives and the world around them.
I have facilitated ‘Wellbeing through the Arts’ sessions with kindy children, utilising play, creativity and imaginative expression to develop emotional vocabulary and processing.
I have completed a Masters in Guidance and Counselling, and clinical training in play therapy.
Meet Elysia
Hi, I'm Elysia!
I started my journey in Melbourne with a Certificate II in Children's Services, leading to a Certificate III and Diploma before completing my Early Childhood Teaching degree.
I have been working with young children and their families for over 20 years. After many years of teaching I discovered the Masters in Child Play Therapy at Deakin and fell in love, I completed my Masters in 2021 while travelling around WA with my family. I moved to Maryborough at the beginning of 2022 with my husband and 2 teenage daughters.
Over the years I have worked with many children with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, developmental delays, and from trauma backgrounds. Working as a play therapist allows me to give indi-vidualized attention to those that need it most, something that can be challenging in the classroom environment.
I am trained in Learn to Play Therapy, Child-Centred Play Therapy and Filial Therapy and love to work with children and their families in whatever method suits their individual needs.
Qualifications and training
- Cert II, Cert III, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Early Childhood
- Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Grad Certificate of Disability and Inclusion
- Master of Child Play Therapy
- Qualified in Learn to Play Therapy, Child-Centred Play Therapy and Filial Therapy
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
