About Us
Who We Are
Donna Lai started CoRe Kids Therapy in 2019 after 30 years of experience working predominantly in public institutions, government entities, education/schools and NGOs. This has been both in Australia and overseas.
The objective is to create CoRe locations within Melbourne where kids and their families with challenging needs can receive therapeutic services. This has especially been notable where children experience grief and/or loss, complex trauma and attachment issues.
Previously in Highett, and now located in Moorabbin and Yarraville, CoRe’s therapy rooms are designed to be welcoming and calming spaces. Larger than standard consulting rooms, our spaces have significant area devoted to Play Therapy and include a diverse range of play-language-tools (toys) required for kids to communicate all their feelings.
CoRe’s clinicians and these spaces provide for a safe and nurturing place for children, without fear of judgement, punishment or losing control.
Our Team
Donna has a passion for providing practical and creative strategies to families who are supporting a child or young person with social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties.
Principal Clinician
Aine brings an abundance of life experiences to her work with young children, and a particular empathy and understanding to her collaboration with parents and carers
Children’s Counsellor / Associate Play Therapist
Amy loves the ability to work with kids and see them emerge from their Play Therapy journey, resilient, thriving and with a renewed sense of their authentic self and their self-worth.
Synergetic Play Therapist / Children’s Counsellor / Parent Coach
Ashley has been working with children and families for over a decade in mental health
Child and Family Therapist / Social Worker
Daniela’s therapeutic delivery focuses on helping children who have suffered from trauma, anxiety and challenging behaviour as well as providing support for families in this journey.
Registered Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Throughout our time together, I aim to deeply listen, understand and respect the experience of your little person as well as yours as the parent or caregiver. I will draw on evidence-based knowledge to guide our process.
Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Jovana combines extensive practical experiences in evidence-based interventions with patience and persistence to enhance outcomes for children and their families, achieved through the building of safe, respectful and trusting therapeutic relationships.
Provisional Psychologist / Play Therapist
Theraplay has become integral to Kate’s work supporting families
Child and Family Therapist / Social Worker
Lea is a compassionate Provisional Psychologist & Play Therapist with a commitment to working with children and their families in a holistic manner.
Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Calm in nature, Tateum enjoys the openness and freedom of expression for children in the play space, with that space becoming a safe, nurturing and judgement-free place.
Social Worker / Play Therapist
Iris has a passion for exploring the world and the world of psychology. With a passion for helping others, Iris has taken her studies across the globe
Receptionist
Donna has a passion for providing practical and creative strategies to families who are supporting a child or young person with social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties.
Principal Clinician
Aine brings an abundance of life experiences to her work with young children, and a particular empathy and understanding to her collaboration with parents and carers
Children’s Counsellor / Associate Play Therapist
Amy loves the ability to work with kids and see them emerge from their Play Therapy journey, resilient, thriving and with a renewed sense of their authentic self and their self-worth.
Synergetic Play Therapist / Children’s Counsellor / Parent Coach
Ashley has been working with children and families for over a decade in mental health
Child and Family Therapist / Social Worker
Daniela’s therapeutic delivery focuses on helping children who have suffered from trauma, anxiety and challenging behaviour as well as providing support for families in this journey.
Registered Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Throughout our time together, I aim to deeply listen, understand and respect the experience of your little person as well as yours as the parent or caregiver. I will draw on evidence-based knowledge to guide our process.
Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Jovana combines extensive practical experiences in evidence-based interventions with patience and persistence to enhance outcomes for children and their families, achieved through the building of safe, respectful and trusting therapeutic relationships.
Provisional Psychologist / Play Therapist
Theraplay has become integral to Kate’s work supporting families
Child and Family Therapist / Social Worker
Lea is a compassionate Provisional Psychologist & Play Therapist with a commitment to working with children and their families in a holistic manner.
Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Calm in nature, Tateum enjoys the openness and freedom of expression for children in the play space, with that space becoming a safe, nurturing and judgement-free place.
Social Worker / Play Therapist
Iris has a passion for exploring the world and the world of psychology. With a passion for helping others, Iris has taken her studies across the globe
Receptionist
Our Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs
Coco is a loving therapy dog! She is an attentive Cocker Spaniel who always seems to know who needs a special cuddle, and delivers those without fear nor favour.
Coco will be working with Donna.
Cookie is Coco’s brother from the same litter, who has a more cheeky and playful behaviour. He is always affectionate and provides fun companionship.
Cookie will be working with Donna.
Pebbles, our Great Dane, is beautifully big in size, expression and heart. Naturally gentle, albeit goofy, she has the gift of disarming people with her presence and demeanour.
Pebbles will be working with Donna.
Chachka is a gentle and affectionate therapy dog.
She adores people, dog treats and extra long pats.
Chachka will be working with Jovana.
Registered With
Certified in
Donna Lai
Principal Clinician
Donna has a passion for providing practical and creative strategies to families who are supporting a child or young person with social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties.
Children’s Counsellor / Associate Play Therapist
Aine brings an abundance of life experiences to her work with young children, and a particular empathy and understanding to her collaboration with parents and carers
Amy Baillie
Synergetic Play Therapist / Children’s Counsellor / Parent Coach
Amy loves the ability to work with kids and see them emerge from their Play Therapy journey, resilient, thriving and with a renewed sense of their authentic self and their self-worth.
Ashley Stevenson
Child and Family Therapist / Social Worker
Ashley has been working with children and families for over a decade in mental health
Daniela Diaz
Registered Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Daniela’s therapeutic delivery focuses on helping children who have suffered from trauma, anxiety and challenging behaviour as well as providing support for families in this journey.
Jasmin Landes
Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Throughout our time together, I aim to deeply listen, understand and respect the experience of your little person as well as yours as the parent or caregiver. I will draw on evidence-based knowledge to guide our process.
Jovana Nikcevic
Provisional Psychologist / Play Therapist
Jovana combines extensive practical experiences in evidence-based interventions with patience and persistence to enhance outcomes for children and their families, achieved through the building of safe, respectful and trusting therapeutic relationships.
Kate Hall
Child and Family Therapist / Social Worker
Theraplay has become integral to Kate’s work supporting families
Lea Tanner
Provisional Psychologist / Associate Play Therapist
Lea is a compassionate Provisional Psychologist & Play Therapist with a commitment to working with children and their families in a holistic manner.
Tateum Mahoney
Social Worker / Play Therapist
Calm in nature, Tateum enjoys the openness and freedom of expression for children in the play space, with that space becoming a safe, nurturing and judgement-free place.
Receptionist
Iris has a passion for exploring the world and the world of psychology. With a passion for helping others, Iris has taken her studies across the globe