THE POPPET CENTRE

Welcome to The Poppet Centre, where we’ve been making parenting easier since 1996. Founded by mother and son team, Shane and Helen Warren, our mission is simple: to offer straightforward, no-fluff support to parents so they can navigate the complexities of raising children with greater confidence, while often having to be the careers for their parents and the generations that went before them.

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We understand that parenting often feels like 70% guesswork, 20% following someone else’s advice, and 10% flying blind. That’s where we come in—our goal is to transform the guesswork into more informed and empowered decision-making.

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What We Offer:

 

Advice: Parenting can be overwhelming, and sometimes the answers just aren’t obvious. When you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, we’re here with practical suggestions grounded in what works - for others and for ourselves.

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Support: Every parent needs someone to talk to. Our peer support services connect you with other parents who truly understand the challenges you face. We also provide a range of counselling and coaching services to help you in times of need.  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to stay updated on our community offerings.

 

Training: We host workshops, seminars, and events throughout the year for children, teens, and parents. Stay tuned for upcoming programs near you.

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Meet the Team

 

The Poppet Centre is led by a dedicated team of professionals and parents who bring a wealth of experience, insight, and empathy to everything we do.

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Shane Warren... As a psychotherapist with over 33 years of experience, Shane operates private practices in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Singapore, Taipei and Hong Kong. With training in theology, philosophy, and psychology, he started his career in youth welfare and now works across multiple disciplines. Shane balances his professional achievements with his role as a busy dad and is passionate about helping parents find their rhythm.

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Helen Warren... Helen, based in Toowoomba, is a mother of three adult children and grandmother to nine. With a background in education and community welfare, Helen’s most valuable insights come from her own parenting journey. She believes her “best training” was learning from the mistakes she made as a wife and mother.

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Laurence Catzel... Splitting her time between Sydney and Paris, Laurence brings expertise in corporate management and education leadership. As a facilitator of parenting programs and a director of outside school hours care, Laurence’s global perspective helps parents navigate the unique challenges of raising children across cultural boundaries - all while being an active mum herself.

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Kait Luker... Based between Sydney and the Gold Coast, Kait blends creative arts with medical science in her work. For over 30 years, she has facilitated arts programs for all ages while also running a coaching practice supporting individuals facing life-changing diagnoses. Kait’s background adds a unique dimension to The Poppet Centre’s holistic approach to parenting support.

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Join Us

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Whether you’re looking for advice, a supportive community, or opportunities to learn, The Poppet Centre is here for you. Together, let’s make parenting a little easier and a lot more rewarding.