About us

meet JASMINE- fOUNDER

Hi, I am Jasmine Williams, founder of Connections Play Therapy and Consultancy (Est June 2021). My passion for Early Childhood developed after finishing grade 12 in High School, where the need to gain employment outweighed the expectation of continuing onto university. After searching for employment and not knowing which direction to take, I was offered a traineeship in the Childcare Industry. This is where my interest and journey in Early Childhood education and child development emerged. I genuinely believe life guides us to take specific paths for a reason. And my journey into Early Childhood was so that I could establish and create a positive impact in children’s lives.

Over the past 22 years, I have been employed in various organisations within the Early Childhood industry, from Educator, Director, Teacher, Manager and University Teacher. During this time, I gained vast experience. I obtained numerous qualifications, including an Early Childhood Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

 Jasmine Williams

Founder/Play Therapists/Early Childhood Consultant

Trainer and Assessor
BEd (Early Childhood)
Clinical Training in Play Therapy (CCPT)
PTPA – Registered Play Therapist, ECA Membership

 

Being part of an ever-changing industry for the last few decades has exposed me to different family dynamics, social structures, and people with additional needs. Here I discovered an appreciation for how children’s overall development can be obstructed through exposure to early trauma, fear, anxiety and unrest in their life, that is often not addressed. And if it is addressed with unsuccessful interventions in early childhood, the child can develop unhealthy coping mechanisms taking them through youth, adolescence and into adulthood. From those life experiences, what we experience in childhood can impact one’s overall development, relationships and mental health throughout life.

Due to these real-life experiences, including my personal experiences, I noticed that I had always had an empathetic understanding toward children and people who need extra support. This led me to explore Play Therapy, where I consequently undertook Postgraduate Clinical Training.

Because children learn, communicate and develop through play and should not be expected to work through their trauma, fears, anxieties and issues in a standard, adult-focused therapeutic environment, Play Therapy maintains a somewhat magical power in the way it can help with healing, including the development of the child’s overall sense of self. When considering their sense of self-worth, if a child had the opportunity to work through their trauma, fears, anxieties or issues in a safe, supportive, child-centred therapeutic play environment, wouldn’t that be a wonderful world to live in!?

With that in mind, I am excited to be offering Play Therapy, Child Counselling and Consultancy to the local Bundaberg area and surrounds, hoping to share my knowledge and experience. I aim to support the healing and growth of our children.

After all, as Plato said:

“You can discover more about a child in an hour of play than you can in a year of conversation”

 breanna simpson

Play Therapist

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)

 Clinical Training in Play Therapy (CCPT)
PTPA – Affiliate Registration, Professional membership- ECA

Meet Bree

Play Therapist

 Hi, I am Bree a play therapist at Connections Play Therapy and Consultancy since September 2022 .

I completed my Honours in Psychological Sciences in 2021, graduating with firsts class honours. Before joining Connections Play Therapy and Consultancy I worked as a Child Safety Officer with the Queensland Government. This provided me with valuable experience working with a variety of children and families, specifically those who have experienced or been impacted by trauma. Having witnessed first hand the impacts of trauma on children’s development, I believe Child Centred Play Therapy is an effective therapeutic early intervention that can provide children a safe place for self expression, communication, autonomy and connection. 

 

 

Jamie-lee Solano

Play Therapist

Bachelor of Psychological Science and Early Childhood Qualifications

Undertaking Clinical Training in Play Therapy
PTPA – Affiliate Registration, Professional membership- ECA

Meet Jamie

Play Therapist

Hi, I am Jamie a play therapist at Connections Play Therapy and Consultancy since January 2023 .

I completed my Bachelor in Psychological Sciences in 2023 and have various Early Childhood Education qualifications. Throughout my career I have undertaken numerous roles within the community sector, working alongside children and adults with varying physical and neuro abilities. I have a passion for working alongside diverse populations and base my practice and communication on individual needs with a focus on strength based and emergent approaches. 

 

 

Jodie Saint

Play Therapist

Bachelor of Education Early Childhood

Undertaking Clinical Training in Play Therapy
PTPA – Affiliate Registration, Professional membership- ECA

Meet Jodie

Play Therapist

Hi, I am Jodie a play therapist at Connections Play Therapy and Consultancy since September 2023 .

I completed my Bachelor in Education Early Childhood in 2002 and have worked as a teacher in Early Childhood for over 18 years. I then began my own business as a private tutor to children in 2022. I have a passion for working with children and families and have a strong belief in human centered approaches when supporting children. Transitioning into Play Therapy is a wonderful opportunity for me to utilise all my skills and knowledge gained throughout my extensive career.