About Footprints
We believe in the power of connection, understanding and play to help children heal, grow and thrive.
Our Story
Where Footprints Began
Footprints was established in 2023, inspired by the poem “Footprints in the Sand.” Just as the poem reminds us that we are never alone in our hardest moments, Footprints was founded on the belief that every child and family deserves someone to walk beside them, to carry them through the challenges and celebrate each small step forward. After witnessing first-hand how many children were battling with big emotions, challenging behaviours and relationship difficulties that were often misunderstood, we knew something needed to be done..
We saw the impact this had not only on the child, but on the whole family. We knew there had to be a different way, one that looked beyond the behaviour to understand the child’s story.
Footprints began with a simple but powerful belief: when children feel safe, connected and understood, healing becomes possible.
Today, we are proud to support children and families across Sydney through Interplay Therapy, Children’s Support Work and Professional Supervision.
Our Values
Relationship First
We build trusting relationships that create safety, connection and belonging.
Safety
Emotional and physical safety is the foundation for healing, growth and learning.
Play
Play is a child’s language and pathway to healing, connection and development.
Curiosity
We approach every child and family with curiosity, openness, compasssion and respect.
Family Partnership
We work alongside families as trusted partners in their child’s journey.
Our Approach
Why Interplay Therapy?
We chose Interplay Therapy (well really, it chose us) because it is a relationship-based approach created by Donna Rego (Berry).
It doesn’t focus on changing behaviours. Instead, it helps children feel safe, connected and understood so that they can heal from inside out.
Through playful, meaningful interactions, Interplay supports the development of emotional regulation, communicationn, confidence and strong relationships.
“When we change the relationship, we change the behaviour”
— Donna Rego
Watch Interplay in Action
See how relationship-based play can help children feel safe, regulated and connected.
Every Family Has a Story
Every child arrives with a unique story, and every journey looks different.
We feel privileged to walk beside families as they build connection, confidence and hope.
Kaitlyn, 4
Medical Trauma and Toileting Anxiety
From low appetite, high anxiety and needing mum constantly…
to confident, curious and enjoying new experiences.
Want to see more real stories?
Visit our Family Journey’s page to read more stories of hope and transformation.
A Word from Donna Rego (Berry)
“It’s actually very rare to see such significant change in the life of a child and their family. Kristen has achieved that. She has a genuine understanding of how Interplay Therapy works and applies it in a way that creates meaningful change.”
– Donna Rego (Berry), Founder of Interplay Therapy
MEET THE FOUNDER
Hi, I’m Kristen
For more than 10 years, I’ve have been supporting children and families across early childhood, education and the NDIS.
Throughout my career, I met many incredible children whose behaviours were often misunderstood. Too often, support focused on managing behaviours rather than understanding what those behaviours were communicating.
I knew there had to be another way.
When I discovered Interplay Therapy, everything changed. It brought together the missing piece of the puzzle that I had been searching for. Rather than asking “how do we stop this behaviour?” we began asking, “what are children trying to tell us?” We started looking beyond the behaviour to understand what was happening beneath the surface and what each child was communicating through their actions. This shift allowed us to respond with connection instead of correction, creating opportunities for children and families to feel safe, understood and supported as they moved towards meaningful growth and lasting healing.
This became the foundation of Footprints.
Today my greatest passion is walking alongside children and families, helping them build safety, connection and confidence through meaningful relationships.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
- Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience (currently studying)
- Senior Certification in Behaviour Therapy
- Senior Certification in Interplay Therapy
- Over 10 years supporting children and families
- Trauma and neurodivergent-informed practice
- Personally supervised by the founder of Interplay Therapy, Donna Rego (Berry)
“I started Footprints because I wanted children to be understood. Every day I saw children labelled as “challenging”, “defiant” or “non-compliant”, when what they really needed was someone to understand the story behind their behaviour. I wanted to create a place where families felt heard, where children felt safe, and where healing could happen through relationships. That’s why Footprints exists.”
– Kristen Cindric, Founder of Footprints Early Childhood Intervention
Ready to take the first step?
We’d love to walk beside you.