Shine Brightly

16/09/2025

I offer Child-Centered Play Therapy as well as Family Therapy for children presenting with a wide range of needs and/or challenges, including neurodiverse children and their families.

16/09/2025

Does your child struggle with emotional regulation and/or control? Do they get easily anxious, frustrated, or upset? Do you as parent/caregiver need some help in supporting your child?

If so, find out how Child-centered Play Therapy can help your child overcome barriers to their well-being, happiness and success.

Parenting Consultations and support are also provided. Now at a NEW clinic in Silverdale! (Some school/Holiday sessions also provided.)

Please contact Hendrina on MB: 0211 553 541 or email her at hendrinahancock@gmail.com to find out more and/or to book a session.

No referral necessary. Ages 3 to 15 years of age, including neurodiverse children and youth.

Therapist with over 25 years of professional experience and qualifications in Child & Developmental Psychology , Special Needs education, Sensory and Integrated Movement Therapies, Family Systems Therapy, Neurodiverse Inclusivity and more. https://shinebrightlytherapy.com/

I offer Child-Centered Play Therapy as well as Family Therapy for children presenting with a wide range of needs and/or challenges, including neurodiverse children and their families.

02/09/2025

Love this 🙏💓

Research shows that children who struggle in math… aren’t lacking intelligence.

Because here’s the truth:
Not every child’s brilliance fits neatly into equations. Some minds are wired for rhythm,
some for empathy, some for color and story, others for the quiet wisdom of noticing the world in detail.

Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences (1983) reminds us that math and language are only two of many ways the brain can shine. There is also musical intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic skill, interpersonal and intrapersonal awareness, naturalist sensitivity, and more.

🧠 According to Gardner, when we measure intelligence only by math scores or reading levels, we overlook entire realms of human ability. A child who struggles with fractions might be gifted in storytelling, art, or comforting a friend.

Why does this matter?

Because when we equate intelligence with grades alone, we risk raising children who doubt their worth. We risk discouraging the painter, the musician, the nurturer, the explorer; simply because they didn’t memorize times tables as quickly as their peers.

Meanwhile, science is whispering:
Intelligence is not a single path.
It’s a garden of possibilities.

Here’s what that looks like at home:

→ Celebrating a child’s creativity even if math worksheets feel hard.
→ Naming empathy and kindness as real forms of brilliance.
→ Encouraging music, movement, and hands-on exploration as learning.
→ Reminding your child that struggling in one subject doesn’t make them “less smart.”

These may not look like “academic success” in the narrow sense. But they are the work, the essential work of cultivating whole, capable, and uniquely gifted human beings.

The truth is, a child who isn’t strong in math can still be deeply intelligent. Their gifts might just grow in a different soil. And when we give those gifts space to flourish, we raise children who are confident in who they are, not crushed by who they are not.

So maybe the question isn’t,
“Why isn’t my child good at math?”
Maybe it’s,
“In what beautiful ways is my child already brilliant?”

Because intelligence isn’t the ability to do everything. It’s the courage to grow into the genius you already carry. 🤍

©️Mercy Lupo
Art: same

26/08/2025

26/08/2025

Your child's big emotions are like waves— they rise, peak, and eventually pass. Your role isn't to stop the waves but to be a steady presence as they learn to surf them.

19/08/2025

Absolutely! So true 💖 Every child has their very own Super power to help them shine ⭐✨💖

THERE IS NOT JUST ONE KIND OF SMART

Every child is smart.
Book smarts measure one intelligence.
But there are many others.

There are kids who are brilliant with their empathy and kindness.
Some kids excel at spatial relations.
Other kids are gifted at communicating with everyone around them.

There is not just one kind of smart.

The kid that struggles in school may be an amazing artist.
The kid that sits by himself might be a whiz on the computer.
The kid that is terrible at math might shine as a writer.

There is not just one kind of smart.

When we emphasize one form of intelligence,
it dismisses the importance of the other ways they glow.
Each kid has their own inner spark.
We can encourage them to do their best in all areas,
while ensuring that their flame never extinguishes.

Because when we remember that there isn’t just one kind of smart,
𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠.

©: Surviving Mom Blog with Randi Latzman

18/08/2025

Thank you very much for such a wonderful introduction and privilege to be part of such an amazing, nurturing and beautiful space and team supporting families and children with a wide range of needs and/or challenges 🙏💖 at BodyLink Silverdale.

🌟 Welcoming Hendrina Hancock to BodyLink, Silverdale 🌟

We’re delighted to introduce Hendrina Hancock, now consulting from the BodyLink Clinic.

Hendrina is a qualified Child Play Therapist, Parent Consultant, and Neurodiverse Advocate, supporting children aged 5–13 years and their families through her practice, Shine Bright.

She uses Child-Centred Play Therapy alongside Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Self-Compassion Therapy, and Sensory Integration approaches to support children with:
✔ Behavioural or sensory challenges
✔ Anxiety, fears, or low mood
✔ Building confidence and resilience
✔ Focus, concentration, memory, and problem-solving
✔ Social and relational skill development
✔ Support for neurodiverse children and families

With formal qualifications in Developmental Psychology, Special Needs Education, Play Therapy, Movement Therapy, Sensory Integration, Autism Studies, Music Therapy, and Animal-Assisted Play Therapy, Hendrina is also completing postgraduate training in Family Therapy at The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University. She is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society and a strong advocate for autistic communities.

As the founder of Shine Brightly, Hendrina has also authored several wellbeing workbooks for children and delivers workshops for parents, educators, and professionals. She brings both deep expertise and a warm, child-centred approach to every session.

✨ Families do not need a referral or diagnosis to access Hendrina’s support.

📍 Available now at BodyLink Silverdale
📅 Bookings essential – spaces are limited
📱 Contact Hendrina directly: 021 155 3541
Email: hendrinahancock@gmail.com
👉 Learn more or enquire at: shinebrightlytherapy.com