Meet Jacinta

Jacinta Hilario | Licensed Therapeutic Play Practitioner

I am passionate about helping children feel safe, heard, understood and supported as they navigate the many emotions and experiences that come with growing up.

I hold a BA from Stellenbosch University, majoring in Psychology and Sociology, and have completed my Certificate in Therapeutic Play. I am a Licensed Therapeutic Play Practitioner and am currently furthering my professional training through PTUK (Play Therapy UK), completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy with the goal of becoming a Licensed Play Therapist.

I am also continuing to expand my knowledge and skills in supporting children who have experienced difficult or overwhelming experiences through further studies in Childhood Trauma with BeaconHouse.

My journey with children

My passion for working with children began long before becoming a therapeutic play practitioner. I spent three years abroad as an au pair, caring for and supporting children through different stages of their development.

During this time, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic alongside the children I cared for. Supporting them through home-schooling and helping them make sense of a world that suddenly felt unfamiliar and uncertain was one of the most heartwarming and meaningful experiences of my life. It reinforced for me just how important it is for children to have a safe, understanding adult alongside them during challenging times.

This experience deepened my belief that children don't always need us to have all the answers. Sometimes, they simply need someone who will sit alongside them, listen, understand and help them make sense of what they are feeling.

My approach

As a therapeutic play practitioner, I provide children with a safe, accepting and supportive space where they can express their feelings in a way that feels natural to them.

Children don't always have the words to explain what they are experiencing — but through play, they can communicate, explore and process their emotions. My role is to meet each child where they are, allowing them to move at their own pace and feel accepted for who they are.

My goal is not simply to help a child through a difficult moment, but to help them develop emotional regulation, resilience, confidence and healthy coping tools that can support them throughout their lives.

Supporting the whole family

I believe that supporting a child also means supporting the whole family.

Parents and caregivers know their children better than anyone, and I aim to work alongside them rather than separately from them. I want to help parents better understand what their child may be communicating through their emotions or behaviour, while providing practical support and guidance for navigating difficult situations and challenging moments.

Building a foundation for life

Every child deserves to feel that they are not alone, their feelings matter, and there is someone who will listen and understand.

My hope is to create a foundation where children can learn to understand and regulate their emotions, feel safe expressing themselves and develop the resilience and emotional tools they can carry with them throughout life.

Because the support a child receives today can become the foundation for how they navigate life tomorrow.