When educational psychologist Marie Kelly began working with children and families, she noticed a recurring problem.
Parents were often juggling appointments with psychologists, speech-language therapists, occupational therapists and other specialists, all working independently. Valuable insights were being lost between services, and families were left trying to connect the dots themselves.
“There must be a better way,” she recalls thinking.
That realisation became the foundation of Kidz Therapy.
What started as a small psychology practice in 2008 has grown into a multi-disciplinary organisation supporting children and families across Auckland and Waikato, bringing a range of specialists together under one roof.
“The idea was simple,” says Marie. “Create a place where children and their whānau could feel understood, supported and held in one space, with professionals working together.”
The organisation grew organically and quickly gained a strong reputation among schools and families, and, what began as a small assessment-focused practice gradually evolved into the wider Kidz Therapy model, adding new disciplines and services.
The same pattern led to the creation of KTL Tuition. After repeatedly being asked where children could go for academic support following assessments, Marie recognised another gap. Now, KTL Tuition has grown into a team of around 15 tutors supporting students from Years 7 to 13.
Kidz Therapy offers services ranging from psychological, ADHD and autism assessments to speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, educational support, educational psychology assessments, child and family therapy, group courses, and ADHD coaching. The organisation even visits schools to take individual children and groups for drama and art therapy.
While the range of services has expanded significantly, the philosophy remains unchanged: children do not experience challenges in isolation, so support should not be delivered that way either.
Marie’s approach has been shaped by a career that spans education and psychology. Before entering private practice, she worked as a primary school teacher and later as a psychologist with the Ministry of Education. Those experiences gave her a unique perspective on the realities children, families and schools face every day.
“I’ve seen firsthand how hard teachers work and how complex classrooms can be,” she says. “It’s always been important that our support is practical and can be carried through into school and family life.”
That emphasis on collaboration remains central to Kidz Therapy’s work. Rather than focusing solely on what happens in a therapy room, the team works closely with parents and educators to ensure strategies are meaningful and achievable in everyday settings.
“We see each child in the context of their whole environment,” Marie explains. “When families, schools and therapists feel aligned and supported, children thrive.”
Growing from a single office to a network of locations has brought its own challenges. Maintaining the same family-centred culture across a larger organisation requires intention and commitment.
Every child’s needs are different, and support is tailored accordingly.
“When you’re a small team, culture happens naturally,” she says. “As we expanded, we had to be much more deliberate about how we collaborate, share knowledge and stay connected.”
The reward has been the ability to reach more families and provide more comprehensive support than ever before.
“Watching the ripple effect never gets old,” says Marie. “When a child gains confidence, when a parent finally feels understood, or when a school feels equipped to help, those moments are incredibly meaningful.”
One of the strengths of the Kidz Therapy model is its flexibility. Every child’s needs are different, and support is tailored accordingly.
“We start by really getting to know the child,” Marie says. “Their strengths, their challenges, their personality and what engages them.”
From there, the team draws on its collective expertise. Some children benefit from structured assessment and psychological support, while others respond more positively to creative or movement-based therapies. Having multiple disciplines working together allows programmes to be built around the child rather than expecting the child to fit a predetermined model.
The challenges facing children and families have evolved significantly since Kidz Therapy first opened its doors. Marie says today’s children are navigating a far more connected and complex world.
“Social media has changed how children compare themselves, form friendships and perceive success,” she says. “They’re often processing situations and emotions well beyond their years.”
The effects of COVID continue to be felt too, particularly in areas such as resilience, confidence and social development. At the same time, parents are faced with an overwhelming amount of information, making it harder to feel confident in their decisions.
Despite these changes, Marie believes one thing remains constant.
“Children still need to feel understood, safe and supported,” she says. “If anything, that connection has become even more important.”
While Kidz Therapy has grown significantly since its early days, Marie is quick to point out that its success has never been a solo effort.
“Kidz Therapy is really a team effort,” she says.
She credits the organisation’s growth to a loyal team of therapists, educators and support staff, some of whom have been with the business for more than a decade. In fact, it is the culture that Marie considers one of her proudest achievements.
For Marie, change happens not through the efforts of any one individual, but through people working together to help children thrive.
