I’m Dayana Lombardo, a play therapist with a background in Early Childhood Education. Having worked as an Early Childhood Teacher for many years, including in remote Western Australia, I saw how children’s emotional needs can be difficult to fully support when balancing curriculum demands within busy classroom environments.

These experiences shaped my desire to work more holistically with children — to slow the pace, listen deeply, and create space for children’s inner worlds to be explored and understood. Play therapy allows this work to take place in a way that is safe, child-led and developmentally appropriate.

My therapeutic work is grounded in child-centred and integrative play therapy approaches, with a strong focus on emotional safety, attunement and relationship. I value collaboration with families and recognise that each child’s therapeutic journey is unique.