Are you looking for support from a child psychologist in Brisbane who uses play therapy, and wondering whether Brisbane Child Psychologist Rae Barker might be the right fit? Read on!
Learn about Rae
Rae Barker is a registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Based in East Brisbane, she practices at Hively Health, offering both in-clinic and community-based services, including NDIS support.
Her work extends across a range of presentations, including:
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Behavioural and emotional regulation
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Neurodiversity (e.g. autism, ADHD)
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Trauma-related symptoms
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Sleep difficulties
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Social and play skills
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Parenting support and psychoeducation
Rae also facilitates group therapy programs designed to foster confidence, friendships, and social-emotional skills in children throughout the school year.
What is Child Psychology?
A Child Psychologist is a registered mental health professional who specialises in understanding, assessing, and supporting the emotional, behavioural, social, and cognitive development of children and adolescents (from infancy through to 18 years old).
They work with children to help them overcome challenges such as:
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Emotional regulation (e.g., anxiety, sadness, anger)
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Behavioural issues (e.g., defiance, aggression, attention difficulties)
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Developmental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD)
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Learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, school-related stress)
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Social skills and peer relationships
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Trauma, grief, or major life transitions (e.g., family separation)
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Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)
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Parenting support and family dynamics
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is form of Child Psychology. It is a therapeutic approach tailored for children, leveraging their natural mode of expression—play—to help them process emotions, trauma, and developmental challenges. It supports emotional regulation, resilience, problem‑solving, and social development through creative, nonverbal methods.
Rae employs a play‑based approach especially with younger children, creating a safe, neuroaffirming, and child‑led space where kids can feel seen and comfortable expressing themselves freely. Whether sessions are in‑clinic, at home, or community settings, Rae engages children through games, symbolic play, art, and imaginative storytelling.
Her approach is grounded in being warm, empathetic, and community‑driven, working collaboratively with families to understand each child’s unique strengths and support needs.
The Therapy Environment: Hively Bumblebees
Rae is part of the Hively Bumblebees paediatric service for ages 1–16, located at the East Brisbane clinic. The therapy space is thoughtfully designed to be engaging and calming—it features sensory lighting, crash mats, a magical tree structure, soft toys, fidget tools, books, and even Nerf‑guns to support regulation and creativity.
Families can choose in‑person sessions at the clinic, telehealth, or community‑based visits (home, school, or kindergarten). Rae accepts both private and NDIS-supported clients, with Medicare rebates available.
What a Therapy Journey Might Look Like
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Intake session: Rae meets with caregivers to gather developmental history and collaboratively set therapeutic goals.
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Play‑based sessions: Regular 1:1 therapy sessions where children engage in play guided by their inner world while supported by Rae.
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Parental support and feedback: Regular check‑ins to monitor progress, adjust therapy goals, and offer strategies for use at home.
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Group programs: Optional group interventions to build social skills and peer connection in a structured, playful setting.
How This Supports Your Child
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Creates a comfortable, child-centred space where younger children can communicate naturally.
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Provides therapeutic benefits beyond talk therapy, especially for trauma or behavioural regulation.
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Integrates family support through parent education and caregiver insight.
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Offers a neuroaffirming and inclusive approach for neurodiverse children.
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Available via flexible delivery—clinic, home, school, or telehealth—and accessible through rebates and NDIS support.
Final Thoughts
If you’re seeking an experienced Child Psychologist and play therapy specialist in Brisbane who takes a compassionate, evidence-based, and child-led approach, Rae welcomes you to get in touch with the friendly administrative team at Hively Health. With her expertise supporting a range of challenges, a beautiful clinic setup for younger children, and thoughtful parent collaboration, Rae provides a grounded and empathetic space for children to grow.
How to Learn More or Book in with Rae
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Visit Hively Health’s East Brisbane clinic (part of the Bumblebees program) for a warm, sensory-rich therapy environment.
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Rae works under both private and NDIS full-fee structures.
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Hively Health is a NDIS registered provider and Medicare rebates may apply with a GP mental health care plan or private health fund.
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Get in Touch with the friendly team at Hively Health – supporting your mental health needs in Brisbane.
