About Us
About Lucy
Registered Play Therapist | Certified Practising Counsellor | Speech Pathologist
Lucy Griffin is a dedicated clinician with expertise in speech pathology, play therapy, and counselling. Her special interests include early childhood, communication development, and parent-child relationships.
She graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) in 2017, where her work with young children and families ignited a deep interest in attachment, family relationships and trauma. This led her to pursue further study, and in 2022, she completed a Master of Child Play Therapy at Deakin University.
Lucy accesses regular and ongoing clinical supervision and professional development to continue developing her therapeutic skills.
Her career has spanned across Queensland and Western Australia, in early intervention settings, tertiary mental health (inpatient and outpatient clinical settings) and education (private and public schools) where she worked as a Speech Pathologist, Mental Health Clinician and Play Therapist. Through these experiences, she developed a strong passion for early intervention, the first 1000 days of life, and the critical role of early parent-child relationships in laying the foundation for lifelong development. She is passionate about supporting children and families with communication challenges, using play to foster connection, self-expression, and emotional well-being.
As a Lecturer in Play Therapy at Deakin University, Lucy contributes to the field through education and research. Lucy's research has been published in the International Journal of Play Therapy. She also provides clinical supervision in teleplay and play therapy for children with communication disorders or delays, supporting professionals in their therapeutic work.
Lucy is a:
Registered Play Therapist (Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association)
Certified Practising Counsellor (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia)
Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (Speech Pathology Australia)
In addition to her clinical work, Lucy is a qualified yoga teacher, integrating movement and mindfulness into therapy to support children’s self-regulation and emotional resilience.
She is passionate about empowering children and their families, fostering strong relationships, and creating safe, supportive spaces for growth and healing.
About Our Space
Our Location
Sessions are held at the Church of Christ Hall, 165 Robinson St Carnarvon. We gratefully use this community space; however, our practice operates independently and is not affiliated with any religious organisation. Parking and entry is through the back.
Our Waiting Room
Caregivers are required to remain on the property for the whole duration of your child's session. Your child will need you to be available after their session. While you wait, you are welcome to make yourself comfortable in the waiting room outside, play in the playground or wait in the car.
Our Play Room
Children are invited into the playroom and offered a range of carefully selected play materials to support their expression, connection, and growth. Whether through storytelling, art, sand, or pretend play, the playroom provides a safe and consistent space for therapeutic exploration and healing.
About Starfish
We strongly believe in the importance of using specialised child therapy models, rather than adapting adult models for children. We believe in the inner wisdom of the child while at the same time, recognising the role of a therapeutic relationship in facilitating change and optimising growth.
Why ‘Starfish’ Child and Family Play Therapy?
The name ‘Starfish’ is inspired by the well-known Starfish Story, which symbolizes the power of small, meaningful actions to create change.
In the story, a child walks along the shore, gently returning stranded starfish to the ocean. When told they can’t possibly make a difference to them all, the child replies, “It made a difference to that one.”
At Starfish Child and Family Play Therapy, we believe in the transformative power of connection, play, and therapeutic support—that every small step in a child’s journey can have a profound impact. Just as each starfish is unique, so is every child and family we support.
Beyond this story, the starfish itself is a powerful metaphor for healing and recovery. Starfish have an incredible ability to regenerate, slowly healing and rebuilding even after experiencing loss or injury. Similarly, children and families who have faced adversity have the capacity for healing and growth when given the right support, safety, and time.
Through play therapy, we help children reconnect with their strengths, build emotional resilience, and regain a sense of safety and control in their world. Just like the starfish, with care and support, healing is always possible.
Want more information? We'd love to hear from you
Contact us or complete a referral.
Our Commitment
Starfish Child and Family Play Therapy acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work and live. We pay our respects to all Elders – past, present, and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all communities who work and live on this land.
Starfish Child and Family Therapy are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all clients. We celebrate diversity of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, intersex variation, and/or gender identity and welcome everyone, exactly as they are.
