Emotional Strength,
Support & Belonging
Qualified North Adelaide Social Worker Supporting Diverse Communities
At Activity & Play Therapy, we go beyond the surface to nurture emotional well-being, meaningful connection, and a strong sense of belonging for every individual.
We offer FCA-Functional Capacity Assessment!
All therapies are evidence based
About Us
Meet Marlene Faitele
Marlene Faitele
Qualified Social Worker & Counsellor
Hi my name is Marlene and I am a qualified social worker and counsellor. I am deeply committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where children, teens and young adults can thrive emotionally, socially, and psychologically.
Qualifications
- BSc. Social Work
- Certificate in Community Services
- BCS. Counselling (Completion 2024)
- Member of Australian Association of Social Workers
- Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy with Autism & ADHD Clients
- ADHD, Neurodiversity, and Clinical Practice
- APTA – Australian Play Therapists Association (Member #20190318)
- Bachelor of Social Work – AASW (Member #666053)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (C-DBT) Certification Training
- EMDR & Play Therapy: A Multimodal Approach
- Currently completing final year of Bachelor of Psychological Science
Our Services
Mental Health & Social Support Services
Supporting Mental Health and Social Well-being for children, juveniles, and young people
Individual Therapy
Personalized activity and play therapy sessions for ages 2–25, addressing various challenges:
- Trauma & Complex Behaviors
- Anxiety & Depression
- Attachment Issues
- Self-esteem & Identity
Family Support
Comprehensive family-centered support including:
- Family Changes & Transitions
- Sibling Conflicts
- Domestic & Family Violence Support
- Transition from Care
School & Social Support
Addressing educational and social challenges:
- School-related Difficulties
- Peer Relationships
- Selective Mutism
- Social Skills Development
Specialized Support
Expert care for specific needs:
- Neurodivergent Children & Young Adults
- Loss & Grief Counseling
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- NDIS Support Services
Elder Care (65+)
Activity and play therapy for seniors:
- Dementia Support & Cognitive Health
- Managing Chronic Health Challenges
- Reducing Social Isolation & Support Services
- Emotional Support & Connection
Justice System Support
Specialized support for:
- Young People Transitioning from Corrections
- Rehabilitation Programs
- Community Integration
- Behavioral Intervention
Social & Play Groups
Weekly Community Programs
Bringing children, teens, and young adults together through play, learning, and connection.
Thursday Social Groups
Join our community groups designed for connection, support, and fun!
Children's Group
Ages 6–12 | Every Thursday
Adolescent Group
Ages 13–18 | Every Thursday
Young People's Group
Ages 19–25 | Every Thursday
Monday Play Group
A welcoming space for parents, carers, and guardians to connect while children play and explore in a safe, supervised environment.
When:
Every Monday
Who:
Children ages 0–5 with their parents, carers, or guardians
Benefits:
Connect, share, and help children develop social skills through play.
Who We Work With
Tailored Support for Every Stage of Growth
We work closely with children, adolescents, and young adults—adapting our therapeutic approaches to meet their emotional, developmental, and social needs at every life stage.
Children (0–12 years old)
Every playtime is an adventure from giggles to growing minds helping your child thrive where we follow your child’s lead & nurture their unique
Adolescents (13–19 years old)
Supporting teens through their complex emotional journey with understanding, respect, and age-appropriate therapeutic approaches.
Young People (20–25 years old)
Empowering young adults to navigate life transitions, build independence, and develop essential life skills for their future.
Our Therapeutic Approach
Evidence-Based Strategies Tailored to Individual Needs
We blend evidence-based methods with compassionate care—using play, creativity, and personalized strategies to support emotional growth, resilience, and meaningful connection.
Expression and Exploration
We use activities and play to help you express yourself, especially if verbal communication is difficult. Through play, you can explore your emotions, experiences, and challenges in a safe and indirect way. The fun part is that all play and activities are led by you.
Building Skills
Activities can be designed to target specific challenges you face. This could involve social skills practice, emotional regulation exercises, or problem-solving games tailored to your unique needs.
Strength-Based
We'll focus on identifying and building upon your strengths. This empowers children and young adults to overcome obstacles and find solutions that work for them.
Testimonials
Kind Words From Those We’ve Helped
Discover how our therapeutic support has made a lasting difference in the lives of children, teens, and families.
From the first session, the right place to grow.
Ibrahim
Parent
The support my son received here was truly life-changing.
Isabella M.
Parent of a 7-year-old
As a teenager, it’s hard to open up — but here, I felt listened to without judgment.
Darla Brown
17-year-old client
Mobile Service
Mobile Services - We Come to You!
Mobile Services – We Come to You!
We bring support directly to you in Adelaide and Rural Areas in South Australia!
At Activity & Play Therapy, we understand that life can be busy, and sometimes getting the help you need can feel like another hurdle. That’s why we offer the convenience of mobile services, bringing our expertise directly to you!
Imagine this: skip the travel time and long waits at appointments. Instead, receive top-notch care in the comfort and familiarity of your own home or a mutually convenient location.
- • Gawler and surrounding areas
- • Salisbury and northern suburbs
- • Modbury and nearby locations
- • Up to 20km from North Adelaide
- • Rural areas with immediate availability
- • Angle Vale and Two Wells
Contact Us
Connect With Us
Ready to take the next step? We're here to support you with care, compassion, and understanding.
Send Me A Message
Contact Information
Phone
0433 085 232
Email Address
Service Type
Mobile Services – We come to you!
Specialization
NDIS Plans Accepted, Serving All Children and Adolescents
Follow Us
Facebook Instagram
Niina Marni (A Kaurna phrase for 'Hello, how are you?')
Activity & Play Therapy acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. And we also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.