About Us

Hi, my name is Kate and I am the founder of Healing Hearts Beyond, a Melbourne-based Child Life Therapy service dedicated to supporting infants, children, young people and their families through the challenges of illness, hospitalisation, medical procedures and healthcare-related trauma.

For more than twenty years, I have worked alongside children, young people and families across health and education settings. Throughout my career, I have been drawn to supporting children facing adversity and helping them build the confidence, understanding and coping skills they need to thrive.

My professional journey began with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, followed by a Graduate Diploma of Education. These qualifications gave me a strong foundation in child development, learning, wellbeing and family-centred practice.

However, it was my work as a Child Life Therapist at the Royal Children's Hospital that truly shaped my career and ignited my passion. Working within paediatric healthcare, I supported infants, children and young people experiencing complex medical conditions, surgeries, procedures and lengthy hospital admissions. I had the privilege of walking alongside families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

I witnessed the incredible courage and resilience of children facing uncertainty, pain and fear. I also saw the significant impact that healthcare experiences could have on emotional wellbeing, participation, confidence and family life.

Many families would ask me the same question after leaving hospital:

"What happens now?"

Parents often noticed ongoing anxiety, distress, emotional dysregulation or difficulties coping long after the medical treatment had ended. While hospital-based services provided invaluable support during admission, there were limited opportunities for ongoing specialised support once families returned home.

Healing Hearts Beyond was created to bridge that gap.

Today, I work with children and families in their homes, schools and communities, providing specialised support before, during and after healthcare experiences. My goal is to help children understand what is happening, develop effective coping strategies, process difficult experiences and build confidence in their ability to navigate healthcare challenges.

I support children who have experienced:

Chronic illness and complex medical conditions
Cancer treatment
Organ and bone marrow transplantation
Intensive care admissions
Repeated hospitalisation
Medical procedures and surgery
Developmental challenges associated with medical complexity
Healthcare anxiety and medical trauma

I also work closely with parents, siblings, schools and healthcare professionals, recognising that a child's wellbeing is deeply connected to the people and environments around them.

My approach is family-centred, trauma-informed and grounded in the power of play, connection and therapeutic relationships. I believe every child deserves to feel heard, understood and supported throughout their healthcare journey.

It is a privilege to be welcomed into the lives of the children and families I work with. Their strength, resilience and capacity for growth continue to inspire me every day. I look forward to supporting your family.

Founder and Director, Kate Strickland.