MrsPip Westwood

Pip Westwood is a Lecturer in Play Therapy (Industry Professional) for the play therapy program at Deakin University, Australia. Pip draws upon over 15 years of experience working therapeutically with children and families to inform her academic role, including her current role as Senior Play Therapist and Practice Lead at her private practice, Wildflower Play Therapy. 

Pip has a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Child Play Therapy from Deakin University. She was awarded the Susan Esdale Prize in 2021 for the Master of Child Play Therapy student with the most outstanding thesis relevant to parenting and child play therapy. Pip's thesis conducted a scoping review of the research surrounding play-based intergenerational groups and the Therapeutic Powers of Play expressed in their outcomes. 

After completing her Master of Child Play Therapy in 2021, Pip joined the Deakin's child play therapy team as a sessional academic alonside her role in private practice. She then successfully won the role of Industry Professional in January of 2025. Pip is dedicated to supporting future generations of play therapists to seek best practice via evidence-based approaches. She has a clinical and academic interest in play therapy within the context of developmental trauma, attachment issues and out of home care. Pip has served on the Deakin's Child Play Therapy Advisory Board since 2022, supporting the growth and development of Deakin's child play therapy program in accordance with industry trends and demands. 

Pip is a Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor (APPTA), a Registered Clinical Counsellor (PACFA) and an individual member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations. She provides both group and individual clinical supervision to other play therapists within Australia, along with mentoring and supporting her team of play therapists within her private practice. Wildflower Play Therapy is known for its team of highly trained and dedicated Registered Play Therapists whom unite around their Masters of Child Play Therapy qualifications, and provide high-quality, evidence-based approaches tailored to suit the unique strengths and needs of each child and family.