Xueyan (Sharon) Zhao

APPTA registered child play therapist 

Master of Child Play Therapy (Deakin University) 

 

Sharon's career journey spans over two decades, transitioning from a decade-long career as an engineer to child education after immigrating to Australia. Throughout this transition, she has amassed rich professional experience and personally navigated the challenges of being a new immigrant while raising two exceptional children. This journey has been akin to an adventure, allowing her and her children to grow together, facing various difficulties and continuously learning.

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Before becoming a child play therapist, Sharon deeply understood the psychological needs and challenges faced by children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, drawing from her family's immigrant experiences. This personal background has fueled her desire to offer professional understanding and services tailored to children from Chinese backgrounds, aiming to create a child play therapy environment conducive to their needs.

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As a child play therapist, Sharon is committed to utilizing theoretical models to establish interpersonal processes systematically. She harnesses the therapeutic power of play to assist children in preventing or resolving psychosocial difficulties and achieving optimal growth and development. With keen insight and extensive experience, she builds trust and rapport with children, providing them with personalised treatment plans.

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Languages 

Mandarin, English