Meet The Team
Meet our compassionate team behind The Little Sanctuary. Our experienced clinicians work collaborateively with children, young people and families to provide personalised evidence-based support.
Libby Spash
Director, Counsellor and Early Childhood Professional
Libby is an experienced educator working under the Early Childhood Approach, ACA registered counsellor and the Director at The Little Sanctuary.
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With 20 years of experience working with children and young people across education and intervention settings, Libby brings a wealth of knowledge in child development, learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and has extensive experience in teaching, educational leadership and the NDIS Early Childhood Intervention sector. As Director of The Little Sanctuary Support Services, she is committed to helping children and families access timely, compassionate and practical support.
Early Childhood Intervention | Children aged 8 and under
Libby works alongside young children and their families to build the foundations for learning, connection, confidence and independence. She has a particular interest in supporting children experiencing developmental delays, emotional regulation difficulties, social communication challenges and executive functioning difficulties.
Using play-based, interest-led and strengths-based approaches, Libby helps children develop important everyday skills, including communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, problem-solving, independence and school readiness. She recognises that children learn best when they feel safe, connected and engaged in activities that are meaningful to them.
Libby values the important role parents and caregivers play in their child’s development. She works collaboratively with families, sharing practical strategies that can be incorporated into everyday routines at home, childcare, kindergarten, school and in the community. Her goal is to help families better understand their child’s needs and feel confident supporting their progress.
Counselling | Children and young people aged 9 and over
As a Level One Registered Counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Libby provides a warm, person-centred and trauma-informed counselling environment for older children and young people.
She supports young people experiencing anxiety, overwhelming emotions, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, school-related stress, behavioural challenges and life transitions. Drawing on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution-Focused Therapy, Libby tailors sessions to each young person’s needs, strengths and goals.
Her approach is gentle, respectful and neuro-affirming, creating opportunities for young people to explore their feelings, develop coping strategies, strengthen resilience and build confidence at their own pace.
Across both roles, Libby is passionate about helping children and young people feel understood rather than judged, while empowering families with the tools and support they need.
Appointments are available face-to-face in Hervey Bay.
Lisa Bayfield
General Psychologist
Lisa is a General Pschologist with the Australian Health Practitionor Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She has a background as a teacher, guidance officer, and school psychologist.
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Lisa has a special interest in working with children and young people who experience anxiety (including school, social, and generalised anxiety), depression, and neurodiversity such as ASD and ADHD.
She works primarily with primary school-aged children and teenagers, supporting them to build resilience, emotional regulation, and confidence. Lisa also provides psychological assessments, including learning and behavioural assessments, to help families and schools better understand each child’s unique strengths and challenges.
Her approach is calm, warm, and person-centred. She draws on evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and strength-based approaches, tailoring each session to meet the individual needs and goals of her clients.
At The Little Sanctuary, Lisa works collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team and is supported by Lead Psychologist, Sarah Coote, to ensure the best outcomes for the children and families they support.
Sessions are offered face to face in Hervey Bay or via telehealth.
Jayde Jacobs
Early Childhood Professional
Jayde is a registered QLD primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Education specialising in Early Years Education and over 15 years of teaching experience, with much of her career dedicated to supporting children in the early years.
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She is passionate about helping young children develop the skills, confidence and sense of belonging they need to learn, communicate, participate and thrive. Jayde works collaboratively with children and their families to understand each child’s unique strengths, interests and needs, using practical, playful and developmentally appropriate approaches to support their growth.
As both an experienced educator and a mum, Jayde values genuine, trusting relationships with children and families. She is particularly passionate about supporting children as they transition into kindergarten and school, helping to make these experiences positive, confident and successful.
Jayde has a particular interest in early literacy and language development, school readiness, play-based learning, social and emotional development, and supporting children to participate confidently in everyday routines and learning environments.
Marney Hartland
Admin
Marney is a valued member of The Little Sanctuary administration team, bringing a wealth of experience in administration, business operations, and working with children, young people, and families.
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With many years of experience across administration and small business management, Marney plays an important role in ensuring the day-to-day operations of The Little Sanctuary run smoothly and efficiently. Her strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and proactive approach help create a welcoming and supportive experience for both families and clinicians.
Marney provides administrative support across a wide range of areas, including client intakes and referrals, appointment coordination, financial administration, resourcing, and ordering supplies. She is often one of the first points of contact for families and is committed to ensuring enquiries are responded to promptly, professionally, and with care.
Marney brings valuable experience in administration, customer service, finance, and problem-solving. She understands the importance of creating effective systems, maintaining clear communication, and supporting the operational needs of a growing practice.
As part of her role, Marney also helps maintain the clinic environment, ensuring our spaces remain clean, organised, and welcoming for children, families, and staff. She takes pride in supporting the behind-the-scenes work that allows our clinicians to focus on delivering high-quality care.
At The Little Sanctuary, Marney works closely with the multidisciplinary team to support the needs of children, young people, and families. Her warm, approachable nature and commitment to excellent service make her an integral part of the team and the positive experience we strive to provide for every family who walks through our doors.
Sarah Coote
Specialist Assessment Psychologist
Sarah is a registered General Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), working collaboratively with The Little Sanctuary to provide specialist assessments in Hervey Bay.
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Sarah supports children and families with compassionate, evidence based care that focuses on each child’s unique strengths and needs.
With postgraduate training in Child, Youth and Family Counselling and Neuroscience, and a current PhD exploring how schools can better support children with mental health conditions and disabilities, Sarah brings both clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the systems surrounding children’s development.
Sarah brings extensive experience and a special interest in comprehensive diagnostic assessment. She is trained in administering gold standard assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as cognitive and learning disorders. Her approach is neuro affirming and strengths based, ensuring that each child and family feels heard, understood, and supported throughout the assessment process.
As a child psychologist, Sarah works with children aged 3+ and their families using a trauma informed and person centred approach. She collaborates closely with parents and caregivers to create practical, real world strategies that can be used at home, at school, and in everyday life.
Sarah provides support across a range of areas, including behaviour challenges, emotion regulation, social skill building, neurodivergence, sensory processing differences, anxiety and mood concerns, adjustment difficulties, and complex trauma, as well as parenting support.
Appointments are available via telehealth, in person therapy and assessment sessions, with assessment services available in Hervey Bay.