About Shivonne
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker · Clinical Supervisor
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor
Therapy and supervision for children, adults, and the practitioners who support them
I'm Shivonne - an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW), Clinical Supervisor, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor based in Wheelers Hill, Melbourne. I've spent the past 15 years working alongside children, adolescents, families, and adults across some of the most complex settings in the child and family sector - foster care, child protection, trauma and sexual abuse counselling, and intensive family support.
That breadth of experience shapes everything I bring to private practice. I understand that what brings people through the door is rarely simple, and that reaching out for support is a big step. Whether you're a parent watching your child struggle and feeling helpless, an adult trying to understand why things feel difficult or why old patterns keep showing up, or a practitioner who needs a genuinely supportive space to do their best work - I'm here to think with you, at a pace that feels right.
My practice is warm, curious, and deeply relational. I believe our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour always make sense in context, and that when we understand that context, we can begin to move forward.
Who I Work With
I offer therapy for children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, big emotions, trauma, grief, school difficulties, and the effects of family change, including young people with ADHD and Autism.
I provide parent consultation and support for caregivers wanting to better understand their child, what's underneath behaviour, big emotions or anxiety, and feel more confident and connected in how they respond.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, parenting stress & burnout, relationship challenges, or the long reach of early experiences - through talking, or for those drawn to it, through expressive and creative approaches including sand tray work.
And I offer clinical supervision for social workers, counsellors, and play therapists working in child and family practice - reflective, grounded, and genuinely useful, including supervision towards AMHSW accreditation and play therapy credentials.
In person in Wheelers Hill. Online across Australia.
My Approach
Evidence Based
My work draws on evidence-based approaches including play therapy, CBT, ACT, psychoeducation and EMDR, alongside ongoing professional development and supervision.
Trauma Informed
I consider how experiences and adversity can shape the nervous system, relationships and our sense of self.
Attachment Focused
Relationships matter, with caregivers, ourselves and others, and are often central to healing and change.
Relational & Humanistic
I take time to understand each person and their story. Feeling understood, safe and connected is an important part of the work.
Developmentally Informed
With children, I adapt therapy to their developmental needs, using play, creativity and expressive approaches when words aren't enough.
Qualifications & Registrations
University of Melbourne - Master of Social Work
Monash University - Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience (Psychology)
Play Therapy Australia - Clinical Certificate of Play Therapy
Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) -
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (300799)
Australian Play Therapists Association -
Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (Member No: 20190281)
Ready to take the next step?
Reaching out can feel like a big step. You're welcome to get in touch for a no-pressure conversation about whether my approach might be the right fit.
I offer sessions in person in Wheelers Hill, VIC, and online across Australia.