Play Therapy is a specialised trauma-based psychotherapy approach where toys, art and the therapeutic relationship with the play therapist become the tools for the child to explore and make sense of their inner world. Our child-centred play therapy approach is primarily non-directive, supporting the exploration of experiences and concerns without feeling questioned or pressured to address certain areas that the child isn’t ready to work through.
Play-based therapy is most appropriate and recommended for children aged 2-12 years old. It builds on the child’s inner resources and strengths and is effective for a wide range of childhood emotional, behavioural, developmental, physiological, social, and psychological concerns.
Sessions led by our children’s play therapist are child-centred, mind and body-focused and non-directive.
Our families embarking on our child play therapy pathway also have the opportunity to gain access to our exclusive Live online parent insight series, Tuning Into You. This paradigm-shifting series extends over four immersive weeks, conducted online and led by our Principal Therapist and Director, Helen Younan-Barrett. Throughout this duration, parents will experience deep self insights, perspective shifts, and acquire child developmental knowledge and relation-based tools to better understand and respond to their children’s needs. These tools are designed so that parents can continue to foster greater, sustainable shifts within their child-parent relationship dynamics, particularly during the child’s play therapy journey.
Play therapy can promote resilience and coping skills, that are appropriate to the child’s age and developmental stage. These skills will help them:
- Develop insight and the ability to express thoughts and feelings
- Learn how to express a range of emotions while controlling their actions
- Develop the capacity to make appropriate choices and decisions
- Become more responsible for behaviours
- Feel in control of troubling situations
- Reduce anxieties
- Change unhelpful self talk
- Have a positive sense of self and of others
- Develop confidence and self reliance
- Increase their empathy and connection with others
In play therapy, children communicate their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences through play and art—a language that they and therapists comprehend deeply. Play therapists establish a secure and nurturing environment where children can find immense relief by expressing challenging core beliefs and emotions, such as worry, fear, or anger. Through this process, children gain insight into their self-perception and experiences, fostering growth and understanding. Ultimately, they cultivate heightened inner control, a positive outlook, enhanced imaginative and problem-solving abilities, better comprehension of complex situations, and improved emotional regulation.
How Can Play Therapy help my child?
When children are having difficulties it often shows up in their behaviour. You may be concerned about your child’s development, eating or sleeping patterns and how they are getting along with family, friends or at school. When things are hard, some children may react by becoming very anxious, sad and may withdraw into themselves. Other children may externalise their behaviour and have outbursts of anger and aggression.
Play therapy is a very effective therapy for children with emotional and behavioural challenges. Children can be referred to a trained and experienced play therapist as a result of the following issues (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Trauma
- Divorce and family breakdown
- Social difficulties
- Separation anxiety
- Anger, oppositional and acting out behaviours
- Bullying
- Physical and sexual abuse
- ADHD / ADD
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Parent and child relationship challenges
- Sleeping and eating difficulties
- Low self esteem and self confidence
- Grief and loss
- Depression
- Chronic illness/hospitalisation/surgery
- Physical symptoms without any medical cause
- Bonding and attachment
- Selective mutism
- Near death experiences
What happens in a session?
Play therapy operates on the principle that play is a child’s natural language and a powerful medium for expression, exploration, and healing. Within the safe and supportive space created by the play therapist, children are encouraged to engage in various forms of play, including imaginative play, storytelling, art, and games.
During play therapy sessions, the therapist carefully observes the child’s play activities, paying close attention to their choices, themes, and expressions. Through play, children often reveal their inner thoughts, feelings, conflicts, and struggles that may be difficult to articulate verbally. For example, a child might use dolls to act out a scene where one doll comforts another, reflecting a need for nurturing and support.
The play therapist acts as a facilitator, joining the child in their play world, validating their experiences, and providing gentle guidance through role modelling and scaffolding when needed. Through empathetic listening, reflection and co regulation, the therapist helps the child explore and make sense of their emotions, experiences, and relationships. By providing a nonjudgmental and accepting presence, the therapist creates a secure environment where the child feels safe to express themselves authentically.
As the therapeutic process unfolds, children gradually develop insights into their thoughts, behaviours, and underlying issues. They learn new coping skills, problem-solving strategies, rewiring their brain and nervous system to develop healthier ways of expressing and regulating their emotions. Through the transformative power of play, children can heal from past traumas, develop resilience, and build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Investment
Our fees vary dependent on the level of expertise and experience of the therapist. Please contact us directly to discuss our schedule of fees. Medicare and Private Health rebates are available with certain therapists that are registered providers. We are able to provide support for self and plan managed NDIS funded families.
Frequency: 45-minute play therapy sessions on a weekly basis + Scheduled Parent Review sessions every 3-4 weeks.
Therapy Duration: Each child is different based on their temperament, the complexity and duration of their presenting symptoms and the functioning of the family environment, but on average it is a minimum of 6 months or more (roughly translating to 24 weekly sessions). Some children require less or more.
How do I start the process?
The first step to enrolling into play therapy is to Book an Initial Parent Consultation. This 90-minute appointment, specifically designed for parents/caregivers, is priced at $320 and can be covered by third party funding ie NDIS, DHHS.
The pathway consultation aims to create a safe space to feel heard and understood, where we can gather information from you about your present stressors and challenges being experienced within your family system. We explore and bring awareness to any relational dynamics and repeated patterns that may be influencing the current symptoms and behaviours being expressed within the family systems. Based on our discussion and in collaboration, we’ll determine whether a play therapy pathway or combined pathway approaches would align best to support your child and family’s needs to grow, heal and thrive.
