Who is Mandala Play Therapy?
Daneel is our Clinical Pediatric Play Therapist @ Mandal Play Therapy. She also holds qualifications as a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Teacher. Daneel has a Master of Child Play Therapy, Bachelor of Arts (double major), Postgraduate Bachelor of Education (primary & secondary), Diploma of Counselling (individual & family), Certificate in Dance Movement Therapy, Certificate in Expressive Therapies with Children and Adolescents, Certificate in Sensorimotor Art Therapy for adults & children ( specialising in Clay Field Therapy) and is an accredited facilitator of Chakradance and Drumbeat.
Daneel O'Keefe brings her passion, dedication and playfulness to Mandala Play Therapy. Her approach is child centred and holistic, a wraparound model. Daneel is committed to strengthening the therapeutic relationship and working in partnership with the child and their family, to also include school and kindergarten, and any agencies that may be involved in supporting the child. Daneel has found her wraparound model to be the best practice and outcome for the child in creating long lasting positive change. Daneel holds a Masters in Child Play Therapy with twenty years experience working with and supporting children and families. Daneel is an integrative Play Therapist, meaning she is trained and experienced to work with children non-directive and directive, to also include Family Play Therapy . She is an advocate for the voice and rights of the child and the child’s own capacity for learning, socio-emotional growth and healing through play. Her qualifications and experience in Education, Community, Disability and Allied Health, strengthen her clinical practice. Daneel is registered with the Australasian Play Therapy Association (APPTA) The Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and an Individual member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (ICPT) . She is a Casual Academic at Deakin University (School of Health & Social Development Faculty of Health) providing clinical supervision to Masters students completing their clinical placement for Humanistic Child Play Therapy. Daneel is working from Mandala Play Therapy new indoor and outdoor therapeutic play rooms. She the capacity to visit schools and kindergartens in the local area and outreach to surrounding areas.
Daneel is currently taking referrals for children and families.
M: 0476213787
E: daneel@mandalaplaytherapyatmandalatherapies.com
check out the play room & creative space when you scroll at: https://www.facebook.com/mandalaplaytherapyatmandalatherapies
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My Story
My Journey to becoming a Child Play Therapist & Founder at Mandala Therapies
My previous qualifications and career paths have shaped the therapist and practitioner I am today, and guided me to my final destination here at Mandala Therapies. At 17 years of age, I enrolled and began a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Double Major in Journalism and Performing Arts, with a naive idea that a journalist could save the world, speak the truth and help create positive change. After completing my degree, I did work as a journalist but it certainly didn’t fulfil or meet my expectations. In between degrees, I worked in a primary school, with special needs students who were dual enrolled, from the School of the Deaf and the Special Development School. To my surprise I felt a strong pull to continue to work with and advocate for children who didn’t fit the ‘norms’. After I completed my Post Graduate Bachelor of Education I worked as both a primary and secondary teacher for a number of years. However, during my 15 years in the education system my role soon moved from that of a classroom and specialist teacher, to working with neurodiverse, vulnerable and disadvantaged students; providing alternative educational settings, programs and supports to better meet their needs. I continued studying and qualified as a Counsellor, Dance Movement Therapist and Expressive Therapist and applied these approaches and modalities in school settings, organisations and private practice; working holistically and with children in a creative way that was engaging and developmentally appropriate. My model of practice shifted, from curriculum based to a trauma informed and strength-based approach. Within the education system I continued to support and advocate for students and their families, in my various roles as: Team Leader for Student Services (disabilities, mental health & wellbeing), Koorie Education Leader, Kakay- Indigenous Girls Academy Co-ordinator, Student Counsellor and Co-ordinator of Intensive Student Support Program (re-engagement program for disengaged youth). Throughout my career I have also provided agency work as a family & relationship Counsellor, Community Arts Therapist, to also include, Private Practise, Nature Based Early Years Educator/Program Designer and Coordinator and Lecturer in the Diploma of Counselling & Diploma of Community Services. My industry knowledge and extensive experiences working therapeutically with complex, high needs children and families has given me a solid foundation for my career as a Play Therapist. I have always had a strong sense of social justice and advocacy for children, playfulness and creativity, both professionally and personally; these attributes and qualities you will find in my playroom and approach when working with children and their families. I am also a working Mum and appreciate the juggle and challenges of parenthood and believe in working alongside parents to support and strengthen their relationships and understanding of their children. Fostering conscious parenting and attachment security. I love being in nature, I can often be found swimming in the ocean, walking in the bush, or in my backyard in my vegie and herb patch. I enjoy cooking for my family and heading off on road trips. I love my job as a Child Play Therapist! I am inspired by neurobiology and how play rewires the brain. I am passionate about childhood trauma recovery and the Therapeutic Powers of Play.