about us.

Childhood Rising exists to reimagine how we support children, not by fixing them, but by truly listening to them.

Founded in 2022, Childhood Rising was created to walk alongside parents, carers, educators and professionals with one shared intention: to raise the wellbeing of children by honouring their voices, their needs, and their innate wisdom.

We believe that children are already communicating everything they need to through play and behaviour and it’s our role as adults to slow down, tune in, and learn their language. We draw on trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches including Play Therapy, Aware Parenting, and attachment-aware practice to support families in a way that is respectful, relational, and grounded in safety and consent.

We advocate for connected relationships, non-punitive approaches to discipline, and the healing power of play. We work in partnership with parents and caregivers to make sense of big feelings, build strong foundations of trust, and rediscover joy in the everyday moments of parenting.

At the heart of our work is a deep belief in the inherent wholeness and capability of children – and the same is true for the adults we support. We offer a space for reflection, growth, and self-trust, where parents and professionals alike can reconnect with their values, find their own authentic voice, and raise children in a way that feels true, grounded, and compassionate.

meet the team.

Hannah Mushet

Director, Play Therapist + Aware Parenting Instructor

Hannah is a certified Aware Parenting Instructor, Play Therapist, and Mother of three (soon to be four!). She is also the passionate owner of Childhood Rising. Hannah has a special interest in supporting children heal from the effects of stress and trauma and supporting parents to become agents of therapeutic play at home.

BSocSci (Psychology and Human Development)
Registered Play Therapist with the Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
Certified Aware Parenting Consultant with The Institue of Aware Parenting.

Lesley Richards

Social Worker + Parenting Consultant

Lesley is a Social Worker, family advocate and a mother of two children. She has a special interest in family emotional health & wellbeing and over 20 years experience in the human services sector.

BSocWk
Registered Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Ciara O'Gorman

Counsellor

Ciara is a counsellor and teacher who brings over 20 years of experience supporting children and young people. Ciara has a special interest in supporting neurodivergent children, children experiencing anxiety and emotional regulation challenges, and those navigating school-related difficulties and significant life transitions.

MCouns
MEd (Special and Inclusive Education)
HDipEd (Primary)
BA (English)
Registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Registered Teacher with the Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA)

Olivia Calleri

Psychologist

Olivia is a registered psychologist who has a special interest in supporting children experiencing complex and developmental trauma, attachment disruption, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

BSc (Double Major in Psychology)
GradDipPsych
Registered Psychologist with AHPRA
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Our mission

Childhood Rising walks alongside families to move beyond fixing and reimagine childhood, raising wellbeing through attachment-aware, play-based support that meets children where they’re at and celebrates who they are.

Our vision

We envision communities where childhood and parenting are celebrated, children are deeply heard and emotionally held, and parents are supported and resourced to trust themselves and their children – so family life becomes more than getting through the day, rooted instead in connection, resilience and joy.

Our values

Collaboration
Compassion
Authenticity
Advocacy
Inclusivity
Safety

More about our values

Here is how we strive to service you and your family.

Collaboration for Sustainable Change

We believe lasting progress happens when everyone around a child is working together. That’s why we collaborate closely with parents, caregivers, and other significant people in a child’s life, because change is most powerful when it’s supported by the whole system.

Compassion at the Core

We look beyond behaviours to understand the feelings, needs, and stories underneath. We meet every child and family with deep respect, believing in their inherent worth and capacity. Our work is grounded in seeing people for who they truly are.

Connection Through Authenticity

We show up as ourselves; genuine, real, and human. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. We stay curious, keep learning, and build rich, trusting relationships as the foundation of all our work. This is a space where being honest, messy, and human is always welcome.

Dedicated to Advocacy

Children deserve to feel heard, even in the spaces where they don’t always have a voice. We use our work to champion their rights, honour their experiences, and stand up for their emotional and developmental wellbeing in every setting we can.

Inclusivity in Every Interaction

We meet children and families where they are, welcoming every part of who they are with openness and respect. Our practice is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-aware, and rooted in the belief that there’s no one “right” way to be. Every child and parent deserves to feel safe, accepted, and seen.

Practicing with Safety and Consent

Emotional and physical safety is at the heart of everything we do. We never push, trick, or persuade. We honour each child’s pace and autonomy, and we trust in their ability to know what feels safe and right for them. Consent, protection, integrity and evidenced based practice guide every step.