
BALLARAT BASED PLAY THERAPY
About Attach Therapy
Attach Therapy was established in 2022 by Kelly who is passionate about supporting children with developmentally appropriate therapy to meet their individual needs whilst working alongside the unique needs of their parents and carers.
Attach Therapy work with children and families with curiosity and courage to build connection, holding kindness as a core value in all we do.
Attach Therapy aim to work with children and families with curiosity and courage to build connection and hold kindness as a core belief when working with children and families.


At Attach Therapy, we understand the difficulties many parents and carers experience in supporting their children. We believe by providing a safe and nurturing environment, all children, parents, and families can overcome adversities to thrive.
Through integrative play therapy interventions and modalities, our highly qualified staff enter a child’s world to understand their current needs rather than expecting a child to enter our world to meet our expectations. We aim to provide services that integrate our understanding of child development, attachment theory, neuropsychological science, trauma-informed practice, neurodiversity, and neurodivergence, and importantly, play, to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.
We understand the impact trauma, attachment, and neurodivergence may have on the developing child and listen to the needs of parents and carers to support them with evidence-based practice in their caring role.
At Attach Therapy, we understand that inclusivity is not only a place but also an internal feeling and thought, including people, place, and self. We pride ourselves on supporting and listening to all needs of the child and family.
Our values

Curiosity

Kindness

Courage

Connection
MEET THE TEAM
Our Therapists
At Attach Therapy, all play therapists have an undergraduate degree in a mental health or allied health discipline and are master qualified in play therapy. All hold registration with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA).
Play therapists can see children experiencing a variety of difficulties, including trauma, emotional regulation, anxiety, school difficulties or refusal, children in separation or divorce, low self-esteem, children adjusting to a new out-of-home-care placement, neurodivergence, loss or bereavement, chronic illness or disability, and social approach and functioning difficulties.
Enter your details on the contact page and we will be in contact with a referral form to get things stated.

Kelly Pickford RPT™
Kelly is a master qualified play therapist registered with the Australasia and Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA), is a Charter Individual Member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA), a casual sessional teacher at Deakin University and holds a general board position on the Deakin Child Play Therapy Advisory Board.
Kelly’s main areas of passion are trauma, especially working with children with difficult and complex histories, neurodivergence, and importantly supporting parents and families through targeted and appropriate evidence-based parenting approaches. With over 30 years of experience working with children and families in a variety of settings she prides herself on tailoring support to meet your unique needs and believes every child, parent and family is precious. Working as registered play therapist Kelly aligns her practice and strives to uphold integrity, compassion, cultural sensitivity, respect, and ethical practice.
Kelly is one of a handful of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) practitioners in Australia and holds accreditation in the Attachment Style Interview (ASI) and Parenting Role Interview (PRI). She is a facilitator of a variety of evidence-based parenting programs and continues to grow her knowledge through evidence-based professional development, conferences, and trainings.
If not working, Kelly can be found spending time with her grandchildren, walking her dogs Winnie and Louis, finishing of another jigsaw puzzle, reading, or enjoying a long lunch.

Maria Hannah
Maria is passionate about supporting children and their families, developing therapeutic relationship skills, connecting with the family and child to support mental health and well-being, providing opportunities to play, and supporting children's emotional well-being and development.
Maria has a Master of Child Play Therapy from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education. Maria is registered with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA) Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Early Childhood Teacher. Maria has 25 years of experience in early childhood education and is equipped with knowledge and experience in supporting successful transitions from kinder to school.
When not at work, Maria loves spending time with her family and her two crazy Labs. She enjoys relaxing with a good movie or book.
Maria works at Attach Tuesday to Friday.

Bridget Sarah
Bridget Sarah is a master qualified Registered Play Therapist and paediatric Occupational Therapist. She has over 10 years' experience working therapeutically with children and families in a range of school, home, clinic and community settings. Bridget is an integrative Play Therapist, trained and experienced in the delivery of multiple play therapy models and approaches.
She works from a Humanistic stance and has a warm, gentle and playful nature with children. In addition to her work with children and families, Bridget is a lecturer, researcher and author in play therapy at Deakin University where she provides education and clinical supervision to students.
Bridget works as a contractor at Attach as required.