DrBelinda Dean

Dr Belinda Dean is a Lecturer in Play Therapy, and Clinical Placement Coordinator for the Master of Child Play Therapy. Belinda is a qualified Registered Nurse, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor™ and Director of Light Heart Play Therapy. Belinda has 26 years’ experience in the healthcare field with a focus on Child and Adolescent Health & Development, Mental Health, Community and Family Health. Belinda holds a PhD with a focus on Medical Play Therapy and Childhood Vaccination: A Study to Evaluate Coping in General Practice. Belinda has presented nationally and internationally (Hong Kong, USA, New Zealand) on this and related research areas.

Belinda holds a Master of Child Play Therapy and provides clinical supervision to Play Therapy students and alumni. Belinda is passionate about children having a voice in healthcare settings and educates play therapy, nursing, medical and allied health students in play-based paediatric healthcare practices through Teddy Bear Hospital Training. Belinda understands the impacts of early relational health and trauma has on children and adolescents neurological, physical, social, and emotional development. Belinda is an Editorial Board Member of the Australian Journal of Play Therapy and reviewer of the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. Belinda is a founding member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA) as well as member of APPTA and Association of Child Life Therapy Australia (ACLTA) and international professional member of BAPT. Belinda continues to practice privately as a play therapist. Belinda is actively involved in the development of play therapy in Australia through education, research, writing, editing, and clinical supervision within the field of play therapy.