Hi, I'm Dr Sam Casey
Therapist · Consultant · Founder of the Play Prescription®
🎓 Qualifications
- •Bachelor of Arts (Double Major in Psychology & Children & Family Studies) — Edith Cowan University, Western Australia.
- •Master in Social Work — Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
- •PhD (Psychology) — Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia.
📋 Registrations / Specialised Training
- •Registered Play Therapist with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
- •Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- •Medicare Provider (Mental Health Care Plans)
- •Maternal Mental Health Training — Seleni Institute
- •Perinatal Mental Health Training — Centre of Perinatal Excellence
- •300hr Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Facilitator Training (Trauma Center USA)
- •Certified AutPlay Provider (Play therapy for autism and other neurological disorders)
💼 Experience
- •Over 20 years experience working with children and families
- •Current: therapist in maternal mental health and private practice for children and their families.
- •Published researcher and author in peer-reviewed journals
- •Experience in multidisciplinary agencies, group practice and private practice providing therapy to adults, mothers, children and families
PhD in Psychology
Play Therapy Specialist
20+ Years
Clinical Experience
Top 5% PhD
International
1000s Trained
Published Author
Why I Created the Play Prescription® Method
I went from a Year 9 graduate to gaining my PhD — which stemmed from my passion for play therapy. My PhD was marked in the top 5% because I wasn't afraid to call out the 'elephant in the room' — the importance of reflecting on our own beliefs, bias and assumptions, especially for us professionals.
Early on in my career, I found the mental health system to be broken. Mental health training is largely inaccessible. Most trainings are targeted to mental health professionals and overlook the wisdom of those who are with children, day in, day out.
I created a practical cycle-breaking method that teaches healing and growth, alongside kids that goes beyond the therapy room.
The Play Prescription® Method — making evidence-based therapeutic practices accessible to parents and professionals who need them most, outside the therapy room.
Work With Dr Sam
Whether you're looking for supervision, certification, or speaking — Dr Sam would love to connect.