About ME
Hi, my name is Bonnie and i am the founder and Lead Therapist of Early Steps Intervention. A qualified, Behavioural and play therapist currently working towards becoming a play therapy clinical supervisor. Im a dog mum and i come from a very large family. I love the beach but equally as happy in the snow. I absolutely love what i do and can’t wait to share it with you.
I deliver sessions across the Sunshine Coast using my mobile services for children and their families. I also conduct regular training/ personal development workshops for parents, caregivers, daycare educators and Teachers. As well as parent coaching programs.
I have been in the industry for over 15 years but after working in a number of environments that i didn't feel met the needs of the child and their families decided to develop Early Steps Intervention and The Early Steps Method. Early Steps was born 6 years ago with the hope to deliver convenient, affordable and individualised sessions that are child centered and family focused. I continue to work with children in a variety of government and private settings, working therapeutically with children in school and daycare as well as their families in home. Through Social media, membership, coaching and online resources i can help more families more often from the comfort of their homes WITHOUT the wait list.
I strongly believe in Early Intervention and believe that the child thrives when the whole team work together. I often encourage family members to sit in on the sessions to get an idea on some of the activities that can easily be performed at home or school to ensure the child continues to move forward.
Above experience and qualifications i have a passion to discover what works and what doesn't for your child. I encourage them to learn the way they love. I will work with them and develop the strategies they need to harness and develop their own "superpowers" and that is what i love about what i have developed here and i know you will too.
THE WHY AND HOW
Children Communicate Through Play: Unlike adults, children often lack the vocabulary and cognitive skills to express their emotions verbally. Play allows them to communicate their feelings and experiences without needing to articulate them in words. Through play, children can "show" their therapist what they might struggle to "tell."
Safe Exploration of Emotions: Play therapy provides a structured space where children feel safe to explore difficult emotions, such as fear, anger, sadness, and confusion. This safe environment, led by a trained therapist, allows them to express these feelings in a constructive way, helping them to understand and process their experiences.
Building Problem-Solving Skills: Play therapy often involves guided play where children face challenges and learn to work through them with the therapist's support. This helps children build coping and problem-solving skills, which they can apply outside of therapy when faced with stressful or challenging situations.
Enhancing Self-Expression and Self-Esteem: Through play, children learn to express their emotions, try new roles, and take ownership of their actions, which can lead to increased self-confidence and self-esteem. As they make decisions and solve problems during play, they feel more empowered in their day-to-day lives.
Strengthening Relationships and Social Skills: In play therapy, children practice sharing, taking turns, and communicating with others. For children who struggle with social skills, this can improve their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships.
Processing Traumatic Experiences: Play therapy can be especially effective for children who have experienced trauma, as they may feel overwhelmed or unable to articulate their experiences verbally. Through play, they can process and work through traumatic events in a way that feels less intimidating and more manageable.
In short, play therapy works because it meets children where they are, using play as a bridge to help them express, process, and overcome their challenges.
“" I strongly believe in Early Intervention and understand that your child thrives when the whole team work together.”
— Bonnie, Founder of Early Steps Intervention and Method