Meet Kara
Founding Director, Counsellor, Play Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapy Allied Professional & Neuro-affirming Educator & Advocate.
Kara brings over 20 years of diverse experience across the arts, education, and counselling sectors. She has worked with countless children, youth, and families along the way, working in schools, early learning centres, and in private practice.
Kara founded Play & Creative Therapy Bundaberg alongside her own journey as the parent of an AuDHD PDAer navigating the therapy space while also studying her own counselling degree. She recognised the vital need for a lived experience perspective in offering genuine neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-sensitive therapeutic care, in addition to neuro-affirming parent support from a lived-experience lens.
Her dedication to this work saw Kara additionally complete post-graduate training in Neurologic Music Therapy (after a long career working in music education and performance), a Clinical Certification in Play Therapy, AutPlay®️ Therapy, Filial Family Therapy, the CPS model for behaviours (Dr Ross Greene), alongside integrative counselling approaches. She weaves creative-expressive arts, holistic modalities, and neuro-affirming practices into her therapeutic care. Most notably, Kara is Queensland’s first licensed private provider of Cothú by AUsome Training, a groundbreaking neuro-affirming program for parents of Autistic children and teens.
As a late diagnosed Neurodivergent person, Kara brings a unique perspective that blends personal experience with professional expertise, particularly in supporting neurodivergent individuals and raising children with complex needs. She is a heartfelt ND advocate who aims to break down the barriers and misconceptions about neurodiversity that leads to exclusion, discrimination, bias, and negative social, emotional, and mental health factors for ND individuals. She is on a mission to educate her community in ways that helps reduce trauma on young neurodivergent people.
Kara specialises in supporting autistic and neurodivergent children, teens, and families. She has a deep passion for trauma healing, nervous system-focused approaches, sensory and energy-based regulation, attachment-informed relational neuroscience, and exploring the connection between human behavior and interpersonal neurobiology.
Outside her professional life, Kara finds solace in reading, singing, writing music, meditation, oceanside walks, and time with loved ones. Being a mum is her most treasured gift in the world! Known for her love of boho earrings, creativity, nurturing heart, and authentic kindness, Kara’s passion for helping others shines through in all she does.
Our Team
About
Diversity is not just a buzzword for Play & Creative Therapy Bundaberg; it's a fundamental aspect of everything we do. Not only do we provide an inclusive and affirming environment where everyone, regardless of neurotype, identity, ability, background, or circumstance, feels validated and included, but we live out affirming culture in expression and action.
Meet the team who value and prioritise person-centered, evidence-based, neuro-supportive practice in our work with all individuals.
We wholeheartedly believe that when people have their unique needs upheld and have permission to be unapologetically themselves, as they are, there is no stopping what they can accomplish.
Meet Leanne
Social Worker Counsellor & Play Therapist
Leanne is a compassionate and experienced professional dedicated to supporting the emotional well-being of children. With over 20 years of experience working with children and families, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.
Leanne holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Arts, Clinical Certification in Play Therapy and is a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist. Her extensive career includes roles such as Supporting Children After Separation Counsellor, Family Group Meeting Convenor, and Child Safety Officer. She has a proven track record of providing therapeutic support, advocating for children, and delivering education on child-focused parenting.
Leanne has received training in various child-centered modalities, including the Circle of Security Facilitator Training, Seasons for Growth, and the Safe and Together Model. She specialises in play therapy for children and is highly skilled in childhood trauma, interpersonal neurobiology, and attachment theories.
Beyond her professional life, Leanne enjoys staying active through CrossFit, engaging in creative pursuits like crochet, and playing pickleball. She is also an avid reader, continually expanding her knowledge and skills to better serve the children and families she supports.
Leanne’s dedication to creating positive change in the lives of children and their families is at the heart of her work. She believes in empowering children to become their best selves.
Modalities of Practice
Our Approach
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Rogerian approach (person-centered therapy)
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Humanistic theory
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Play therapy (child-centered and integrative models)
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Filial Family Therapy (Guerney approach)
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Polyvagal theory
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Attachment theory
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Relational neuroscience
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Family systems
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Solution-focused
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Mindfulness-based
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Creative & Experiential approaches
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The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)
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Dr Ross Greene's Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) for supporting behaviours
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Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)
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Neuro-affirming and trauma-informed
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Inspired by the work of Bruce Perry, Dan Seigel, Stephen Porges, Deb Dana, Mona Delahooke, Robyn Gobbel, Ross Greene, Greg Santucci, Kelly Mahler PhD, Guerney and Guerney, Garry Landreth, Dee Ray, Lisa Dion, and many more!