Let's Play SA Therapeutic Services

20/03/2026

Let's Play SA! is having an open day.

Come and pop in for a chat. Look around the space, chat with myself or Mikayla about play therapy and how we support children and families.

We will have free face painting and some craft activities (these are being run by my children) for the kids.

Open Day 2025 (A4) : simplebooklet.com

17/03/2026

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the incredible diversity of human minds. It encourages us to move away from a deficit-based view of neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, and instead appreciate the strengths, creativity and unique perspectives neurodivergent people bring to our communities.

As both a therapist and a mum of a neurodiverse child, this week holds special meaning for me. Parenting a neurodivergent child has deepened my understanding of how important it is for children to feel accepted for who they are, not who the world expects them to be. Our children thrive when they are supported, understood, and given environments where their differences are recognised as part of what makes them wonderfully unique.

This week is a reminder that inclusion isn’t just about awareness; it’s about listening, learning, and creating spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel safe, valued and celebrated.

28/12/2025

Welcoming a Student to Let's Play SA!

Did you know that to qualify as a social worker in Australia, students are required to complete 1,000 hours of supervised, face to face placement across their degree?

These placements are closely monitored, ethically governed, and form a vital foundation for safe, compassionate practice.

As part of this process, I am so excited to introduce Mikayla, a social worker student from the University of Canberra, who will be completing 500 of those hours with me.

I was fortunate in my own training to be given placement opportunities within adult mental health services and the education system. Those experiences deeply supported and shaped the social worker I became. We all have to learn somewhere, and I value the rigorous requirements of the AASW in becoming accredited, as well as the responsibility we hold in ensuring today's students have the strongest possible foundation to support their clients in the future.

Mikayla will be learning within a trauma-informed, child-led, person-centred framework and will be supported through regular supervision and guidance throughout her placement. She does not work independently of oversight from either myself or her university and is bound by professional and ethical standards, including confidentiality.

For families, involvement of a student is always optional. Privacy, consent and choice are central to my work here. Mikayla will only be present in sessions with clear consent, and children and young people are also supported to have a say in who is involved in their sessions - not just the parents or caregivers. Families are welcome to ask questions or decline student involvement at any time.

Supporting social work students is an important part of strengthening our profession, and I am really looking forward to walking alongside Mikayla as she grows into her social work practice.

Please join me in welcoming her, you will start to see her around from the 19th of January.

06/10/2025

Vote for Let's Play SA Therapeutic Services in this year’s Onkaparinga Business Awards!

I love what I do and if you love it too vote for me now and show your support for local businesses!

Vote at gosouthgolocal.com.au/awards

18/08/2025

When I got the call that I was a finalist in the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative Awards, I did a full happy dance around the room, much to the confusion of my dog Harvey, who just sat staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

I’m beyond excited to be recognised in not just one, but two categories:
- Personal Service of the Year: honouring the care and service I pour into the families I work with.
- Bright Spark: celebrating businesses in their infancy that are already making an impact.

It feels surreal to be acknowledged for both the heart of my work and the courage it takes to begin something new. This journey is still young, but it’s full of passion, resilience, and belief in the difference I can make.

I’m really looking forward to sharing the awards night with so many other amazing ladies in business from across Australia; what an inspiring celebration it will be.

25/07/2025

Thank you to everyone in my wonderful community for the nomination! ❤️ The Invisible Load celebrates women in business who power through hardships and trouble and still turn out on top! 💪😁‼️Shoutout to for running this awesome award program!
゚viralシ

03/07/2025

I have availability for child centred play therapy and paediatric counselling right now!

If you've been looking for a developmentally appropriate therapy approach for your little one, then give me and call and let's chat about how play therapy could be the right thing for your little one.

Clinic availability in Reynella.

19/06/2025

I'm a play therapist, of course I use my fondant skills to make playdoh roses in my spare time.

03/06/2025

Feeling incredibly honoured and overwhelmed by this nomination. Reading what my nominator had to say about me brought a tear to my eye and I am so moved. This statement alone is so powerful in it's thanks for what I do. I love that I get to live my dream job every day.

I have been nominated in the Personal Services category of the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative alibi awards for 2025.

How do I say thank you to someone who so deeply trusted me with their child and their family during such a difficult time. That is truly the most humbling experience, being chosen and trusted to come alongside someone and walk with them when they need.

09/05/2025

This year’s Biggest Morning Tea means more to me than ever before.

I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer (Melanoma), and while this chapter is a tough one, I’m choosing to channel it into purpose and connection. On Sunday, May 25th, I’m hosting a Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds for Cancer Council Australia, and I’m calling on our beautiful community to help.

If you're a local business or a generous soul, would you consider donating a raffle item, prize, or even some promo goodies for the day? All donors will get a shoutout at the event and on my socials.

Alternatively, if you would consider making a dontation I have a tin in my waiting room or you can visit my fundraising page here:
https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/nicolearbuckleHTFH

My Supporter ID for fundraising authority is 88041

29/04/2025

I have been very quiet on social media lately. I know I don't really post a lot, social media is tricky to navigate for someone who still seeks to handwrite everything.

But life threw me a pretty big curveball recently and while it hasn't been my intention to be radio silent I have been using the time to take a little extra care of myself.

So when weighing up the important things I have been embracing my family and my health first, and whatever else has created moments of hope, over social media.

Rest assured, I am still here, plugging away in the background. I love that I get to continue doing my job, I absolutely love my work, it truly fills my heart and helps me to be grateful for small joys and everyday strength.

If you're currently trying to catch you're own curveball, you are not alone. I hope you too can find some time to play, rest, reset and find all the different ways to fill your heart with hope.

And as always, reach out if you need some support along the way!

02/04/2025

World Autism Awareness Day

Today isn’t just about awareness—it’s about acceptance, understanding, and embracing neurodiversity in all its forms. Autism isn’t something to be 'fixed' or 'cured'—it’s a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world, and that difference should be celebrated.

Autistic individuals, like my daughter, bring creativity, passion, deep thinking, and unique perspectives to our world. But too often, they face barriers—misunderstanding, judgment, and expectations that don’t allow them to thrive as their authentic selves. Acceptance means changing the world to meet them where they are, rather than forcing them to conform.

So today, let’s commit to:
💛Listening to and learning from autistic voices
💛 Creating spaces that are truly inclusive
💛 Challenging misconceptions and ableism
💛 Celebrating neurodiversity instead of trying to 'normalize' it

To every autistic person: You are seen, valued, and worthy of a world that embraces you exactly as you are.

Yellow Ladybugs