Nicole Ricketts
Hello, my name is Nicole Ricketts. I have been working with children and families since 2013, working as an Early Childhood Educator within several services in the Northern Rivers area as well as running my own Family Day Care for 2 1/2 years. I have a private clinic in Goonellabah and also work at schools offering Group Play Therapy as well as individual play Therapy. I am a qualified Child Play Therapist, registered with Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA), Certified TORA / CORA facilitator and have 2 children of my own.
I am very passionate about children's health, well being and development, and also love working with families, educators, teachers and other therapists to truly connect with the children in their lives to bring out their natural essence.
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After working in the Early Childhood profession for a few years, I began to see a gap between what educators could do, what parents were trying to do and what children were so desperately trying to communicate. Getting into the child's world, building a trusting relationship and communicating through play is, I feel, super beneficial and healing for all involved. It allows the child to express, explore feelings and make sense of what is happening in their world. After all, play can be a natural language for the child and as I discovered over the 3 years studying this amazing therapeutic approach, more and more was unveiled and confirmed for me that children know how, when and what to heal when given the appropriate space and having a connected adult to express to.
I absolutely love sharing these tools and skills with parents through Filial therapy and also ​presenting to and working alongside teachers with TORA.
Qualifications
Masters Degree Child Play Therapy (MCPT) Deakin University -APPTA Member​
Diploma Early Childhood Education & Care (NSW TAFE) ​
Cert IV Training & Assessment (TAE)​
Studying Diploma Counselling (Evolve College)