We offer psychotherapy, counselling and social work services to people ages 4 and above.
Welcome to Yellow Balloon Therapy
Empowering individuals. Supporting growth. Inspiring change.
We provide psychotherapy, counselling, social work and play-based therapy for children, young people, families and diverse communities.
Our holistic approach brings together evidence-based practice, cultural sensitivity and creativity, with individualised support for NDIS participants.
Children’s play is therapy
It’s not just play!
Play is an essential part of early learning and the lifeblood of the learning process. As children play they develop the cognitive, socio-emotional and physical skills that carry them into adulthood, along with their curiosity, problem-solving, intentionality, flexibility and verbal and non-verbal skills.
Socio-emotionally they are developing their emotional intelligence — learning confidence, cooperation, negotiation, sharing, empathy, and how to communicate appropriately.
Physically, their fine motor and gross motor skills are practised and developed.
It’s not just play. They are skills for life.
Our services
What we offer
From one-to-one mentoring to organisation-wide learning, our work is tailored to individual goals, communities and cultural context.
Workshops & training
Interactive sessions for schools, organisations and community groups covering mental health, resilience, emotional regulation, team connection and cultural awareness.
Youth mentoring
One-to-one mentoring, skill-building sessions and group activities for young people aged 12–25, including NDIS participants.
Cultural consultations
Culturally informed consultation for organisations and professionals supporting people from diverse backgrounds.
NDIS participant support
Individualised support for NDIS participants of all ages across capacity building, therapeutic supports, and social and community participation.
Our therapeutic approaches
How we work with you
There is no single route through a difficult experience. We draw from different therapeutic approaches to meet each person’s needs, age, culture and way of communicating.
Trauma-informed therapy
Care that recognises how trauma can affect people differently and creates space to understand experiences safely and at an individual pace.
Narrative approach
A collaborative approach that separates people from problems and explores the stories through which identity and meaning are shaped.
Expressive therapy
Creative activities such as art, music, movement, drama or poetry can help people share and process feelings that are hard to put into words.
Play & art therapy
Play gives children a natural way to express inner experiences, process emotions and build insight, confidence and capacity.
Meet our founder
Sophia Saidi — Founder and director
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Master of Social Work
Sophia Saidi founded Yellow Balloon Therapy in 2021 with a vision to create a space where children and young people of all backgrounds can find tailored, compassionate and innovative mental health support.
A highly qualified therapist and youth leader, Sophia brings over a decade of experience working with children and families, particularly those from refugee and culturally diverse backgrounds. Her approach blends evidence-based therapies with ancient and traditional practices of ethnic communities, offering a culturally sensitive and holistic experience.
With her lived experience as a former refugee, and having a sibling with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sophia is committed to empowering others to overcome adversity, find their strengths and thrive. She draws on her professional expertise and personal journey to connect with clients in meaningful and transformative ways.
Together with her team of passionate and dedicated professionals, Sophia works to ensure every client receives personalised care and support throughout their journey.
Make a referral
Working together
We are always keen to explore different ways to help clients. Get in touch and one of our team will be in contact promptly.
Our affiliations
Australian Counselling Association
Yellow Balloon Therapy is a member of the Australian Counselling Association.
Australian Association of Social Workers
Yellow Balloon Therapy is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Future practitioners
Student placements
We provide internship opportunities for students from The University of Adelaide (Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy), University of South Australia (social work and human services), and Equals International (Bachelor of Human Services).