Let’s get to know each other…
Meet the Team
Royanna Johns
Kids Counselling & Play Therapy Founder, Play Therapist, Counsellor and Early Childhood Professional
Haritha Jonnalagadda
Counsellor, Somatic Psychotherapist, Circle of Security Facilitator
Dannielle Steed
Play Therapist, LEGO Based Therapist and Teacher
Hi, I’m Royanna
…but I go by Yanna because the kiddos usually find it easier to say. Here you can find out a bit more about me and what I do to help you decide if I am the right fit for you, your child and your family.
In my time working in education, I worked with children with various needs. Looking back I can see that I was fine tuning how to meet a child where their nervous system was at. Once I had my own children, all that I had come to learn about attuning to a child’s nervous system deepened in my bonds formed with my daughters. I became very passionate about all that I was learning through my own children and knew I needed to follow my heart and make the career change. After returning to study while juggling my own kids’ nap times (and sometimes my own), I am now a Certified Clinical Play Therapist registered with Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA) and a Certified Counsellor registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). I receive regular supervision as ethically and professionally required to meet industry standards and to ensure I deliver high quality counselling to your child. I have a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, a post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science, a Diploma in Counselling, a Diploma in Youth Work and a Clinical Certificate in Play Therapy teamed with years of experience working with children from infancy to adolescence and their families. I am passionate about supporting children through their challenges and providing a safe space for them to share their story, their thoughts, their feelings and their processes.
Being a huge advocate of counselling, I have sought therapy for both of my girls and myself so please know that I understand what it is like to be in your position seeking support for both yourself and your child.
In my practice, I have developed a philosophy that the child should always lead, not I nor any other adult. I do not diagnose psychological disorders nor tell them how to ‘fix’ any issues, I offer humanistic therapeutic services that support your child at their developmental stage. The therapeutic framework that I base my counselling services on is Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) which means in my eyes, your child is the greatest expert in their life. They know what they are truly experiencing within themselves so they lead and speak to me through their play and dialogue and I listen attentively to their needs and by doing so, great healing and transformation takes place.
Being a child therapist is not just a job for me, it is my passion and purpose. I love being someone that gets to help children navigate the challenging stuff in their lives. If you feel as though my services could be the right fit for you and your child, contact me today for a free and confidential chat.
FUN FACT ABOUT YANNA: Yanna loves rollerblading along the beach with her kids and reading poetry.
Hi, I’m Haritha
… and I offer child centred therapy sessions after school hours. Here's a little about me to help you get a sense of who I am, how I work and how I might be able to best support your child and family.
I am a qualified counsellor, and a trauma trained therapist who specializes in working with children and families with experiences of big and little traumas. I have over 8 years' experience in supporting little ones with big emotions, feelings and worries using play and expressive arts and movement. My work with children is heavily focused on helping them build emotionally rich and stable relationships with themselves and the adults that look after them.
My qualifications include a Master of Counselling (UQ-2016), extensive training and professional development in somatic therapy modalities, attachment-based therapies and trauma therapy. I also run workshops in Circle of Security parenting programs so if you are interested to learn more, please let me know.
Ongoing supervision and training, personal therapy and reflective practice are important aspects of best practice for me, as this helps me be the most regulated and grounded version of myself both as a person as well as a therapist. Children grow and flourish when they can borrow our frontal lobes and regulated nervous systems as their bodies learn to develop their own. I am passionate about celebrating the uniqueness of each child, and find myself honoured to bear witness to their deep ability to heal in safe and supportive relationships.
FUN FACT ABOUT HARITHA: Haritha has an Australian Shepherd that keeps her on her toes!
Hi I’m Dannielle
… and I offer play therapy afterschool and on Saturday mornings.
I am a registered play therapist (PTPA) and teacher (QCT) with 20 years experience in the education sector within the primary and early years. My qualifications are a Bachelor of Education and a Clinical Certificate in Play Therapy. I also hold certification as a LEGO Based Therapy Facilitator.
I undertake regular, rigorous professional development in order to continually educate myself in best practice.
Throughout my career working with children, my focus has been on personal empowerment, growth and providing a therapeutic experience in which the child is held in unconditional positive regard. The therapeutic framework I work within is Child Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), a non-directive modality of therapy in which the child leads the process, play, exploration and healing.
My role is in navigating the child’s personal journey alongside them - ‘being with’ them as they explore and experience transitions through recognised stages within the play therapy process.
FUN FACT ABOUT DANNIELLE:
Wombats are Dannielle’s favourite animal.
Why trust us?
Some therapists working with children have university qualifications in Psychology or Counselling making them very credible mental health practitioners, however, not all child therapists have university qualifications specialised in working with young children which is uniquely different to working with adults. Our therapists have accredited qualifications in child development and therapeutic approaches making us unique specialists in the area of mental health concerns in childhood. When you engage our services to assist your child, you will know that your child is in the care of someone highly trained to support their needs at their developmental level.