Our Team
Eliza Kerwin
Director/Play Therapist
BPsychSc, MCPT
I’m the Director and a registered Play Therapist at Peninsula Therapy Hub, accredited through the Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). I hold a Master’s Degree in Child Play Therapy and a Bachelor of Psychological Science, both from Deakin University.
I’m also a mum to two young children, one of whom has a disability. My experiences as both a parent and therapist have given me a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families can face when navigating therapies, healthcare, education and disability supports. They have strengthened my commitment to ensuring families feel genuinely heard, respected and supported, not only as clients, but as people managing the realities of everyday family life.
My journey into play therapy has been shaped by experiences both in Australia and overseas. I spent two years living in Singapore, working across children’s therapeutic services and at a school for children with disabilities. This gave me a deeper appreciation of cultural differences and the unique circumstances, strengths and challenges of every family.
Before opening Peninsula Therapy Hub, I worked with the Department of Health and Human Services, supporting children who had experienced significant trauma and separation from their families. This work highlighted how differently children can communicate and express their emotions, and how important it is to approach every child with empathy, curiosity and an individual focus.
Over the years, I have worked with children experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pathological Demand Avoidance, anxiety, ADHD, social and emotional difficulties, trauma and physical disabilities. I have also completed advanced training in TraumaPlay™ through the Trauma Play Institute in Tennessee, USA, equipping me to support children and families experiencing complex trauma. I am also a Certified Facilitator of LEGO® Based Therapy, which provides children with a fun and creative way to strengthen their social and communication skills.
My goal is to create a welcoming space where children feel safe to explore, play and grow, and where families feel supported and understood. I believe therapy should be professional and evidence-based, while also being warm, approachable and practical for everyday family life.
At Peninsula Therapy Hub, we strive to create a safe, positive and nurturing environment where children can build confidence, develop new skills and reach their potential through play and connection. We are committed to making a genuine difference in the lives of children and families by providing high-quality, evidence-based and individualised support.
Ellesha Wilson
Play Therapist
BPsychSc(Hons), MCPT
I completed my Masters of Child Play Therapy (Deakin University) and I am a Registered Play Therapist through the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA). Previously, I have completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), majoring in cognitive neuroscience.
In addition to this, I have extensive experience working as a support worker for many years with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Over the past year, I have been implementing the Learn to Play program with many children with a range of developmental needs and diagnoses, including global developmental delay (GDD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ASD. Throughout my Masters training, I developed skills in facilitating Humanistic Play Therapy sessions, where I focused on fostering a child’s ability to grow and heal from adverse experiences.
I became a Play Therapist to assist children in meeting their fullest potential in their emotional, social and cognitive development. I am passionate about helping children express themselves, grow and engage socially with others through play. I am grateful that through my work I am able to witness children utilise the therapeutic powers of play to enhance their self-esteem, understand their past experiences and learn to regulate themselves emotionally and physically.
I achieve this through permitting the child to be themselves and accepting them with unconditional positive regard, while maintaining a safe environment and developing a strong therapeutic relationship with both the child and their family.
I am currently in the process of completing my TraumaPlay™ Certification (Trauma Play Institute, Tennessee, USA). This further training equips me to work with children and families who have severe and complex trauma.I am also a Certified Facilitator of LEGO® Based Therapy.
Rachel Mills
Play Therapist
BECE, MCPT
As a graduate of Deakin University’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program, I’ve had the privilege of working in the vibrant world of early childhood learning as both a Kindergarten and Primary teacher over the past 7 years.
Now as I have completed my Masters of Child Play Therapy at Deakin University, my dedication to understanding and supporting children with diverse backgrounds, abilities and neurodiversity’s continues unabated, grounded in a strengths-based approach.
An unwavering conviction in the extraordinary power of play drives my therapeutic methodology. Viewing play as a conduit for healing, growth, and self-expression, I find fulfilment in witnessing its remarkable transformative effects as children are afforded the freedom to explore, create, and connect on their own terms.
Central to my ethos is the recognition of the profound impact of tailored, individualized support for children through the therapeutic relationship. Committed to fostering safe, inclusive spaces where children and families alike feel seen, heard, and valued.
In acknowledgement of the pivotal role families play in a child’s life, I place a particular emphasis in harnessing the strength, wisdom and relational dynamics within families to promote optimal support and wellbeing for each child. I advocate for collaboration with all stakeholders, fostering a systemic approach that prioritizes the collective effort in meeting the child’s needs.
Kaysie Gabsch
Play Therapist
BPsychSc, MCPT
I have always been fascinated by the brain and the ways in which children grow, learn, and express themselves. My journey began with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Deakin University, and I have completed my Masters of Child Play Therapy at Deakin, deepening my understanding of how play can be a powerful tool for emotional expression, healing, and development.
Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of working in early intervention, supporting children with ADHD, Autism, Selective Mutism, and Global Developmental Delay. Through this experience, I have seen how play provides children with an outlet to make sense of their world, build resilience, and develop social and emotional skills. I believe that every child deserves a safe and supportive space where they can explore, express, and process their thoughts and feelings without fear or judgment.
I pride myself on building strong, trusting relationships with children and their families. Creating an environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe in meeting each child where they are and supporting them in their unique journey.
My passion for creativity and play extends beyond my work; it's something I truly believe in as a beautiful medium for healing, self-expression, and connection. I aim to empower children to develop confidence, emotional regulation, and a sense of agency in their own lives.
I am excited to support children in discovering the power of play in their own healing and development.
Tiahn Holloway
Speech Pathologist
I have been helping children and their families on the Mornington Peninsula for over 10 years. I work with children from birth to nine years using a capacity building approach where caregivers and educators are taught how to develop a child's communication skills during everyday routines and activities.
I provide services in the clinic and the community through visits to homes, childcare centres, kindergartens and schools. I believe children benefit from a consistent approach to developing communication across all people and environments they spend time in.
I am available to provide formal speech and language assessments, written reports, and ongoing blocks of therapy where indicated.
I am able to provide services to self and plan managed NDIS participants in addition to private paying clients. Some clients may be eligible for Medicare or private health insurance rebates.
Amy O’Sullivan
Practice Manager
I’m Amy, the Practice Manager at Peninsula Therapy Hub. I help ensure families feel welcomed, supported and informed from their very first contact with us.
I coordinate appointments, respond to enquiries and support the day-to-day operations of the practice. I work closely with our therapists to help create a smooth and positive experience for every family.
I’m always happy to assist with questions about bookings, our services or accessing support.
Deborah Howarth
Registered Psychologist & Clinical Psychology Registrar
I provide individualised, evidence-based therapy for older children, adolescents and adults, recognising that no two people experience life's challenges in the same way. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I work collaboratively with clients to develop a shared understanding of the factors contributing to their difficulties and tailor therapy to their unique needs, strengths, and goals.
I work from an integrative, formulation-driven approach informed by psychodynamic, attachment, and trauma theory, alongside evidence-based therapies including CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and DBT skills.
I work with a broad range of presentations, including anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, complex trauma, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, and self-esteem. I also have a particular interest in supporting individuals navigating religious trauma, high-control groups and cult recovery, family estrangement, identity development, and sexuality.
I work from a neuro-affirming perspective and welcome autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent clients. Therapy is adapted to support each individual's unique strengths, communication preferences, sensory profile, and goals, rather than seeking to change who they are.
When working with children and adolescents, therapy is developmentally appropriate, engaging, and collaborative. I work closely with parents, carers, schools, and other professionals where appropriate, using play, creativity, and strengths-based approaches to help young people build emotional awareness, regulation skills, confidence, and resilience.
Above all, I aim to provide a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where clients feel understood, develop greater insight into themselves, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Bookings with Deborah are to be made directly through PACE Health Management