Services & Offerings
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a trauma-based psychotherapy approach the is developmentally appropriate and recommended for children aged 2-12 years of age. Play Therapy uses toys, creative mediums and the therapeutic relationship with the play therapist, as the tools for the child to explore and make sense of their feelings and the world in which they live, in a meaningful way. Sessions are child-centered, neuro affirming and non-directive in nature.
Play therapy can be effective for children with a broad range of concerns, including:
Emotional Difficulties – Managing and coping with feelings, aggression, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and withdrawal, conduct disorders.
Learning Difficulties
Bullying
Social skills and developing relationships.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Speech and Communication Family Breakdown
Bereavement/Loss
Abuse/Neglect
Trauma
Illness/Medical Trauma
SERVICES OFFERED
CHILD CENTERED PLAY THERAPY
Child Centered Play Therapy is a non-directive one-on-one approach, where the child takes the lead, using the toys and materials available to express emotions and communicate their feelings and inner world.
Through the power of play and the nurturing and secure relationship with the play therapist, the child can begin to make sense of their feelings and experiences, their worries, learn to make better choices, help them to develop skills to manage conflict and social situations appropriately and build their confidence and positive self-regard. These newly developed and practiced skills can then be transferred into their everyday life and interactions with others. This unique therapeutic relationship between the child and play therapist, acts as the medium for growth, development and healing within your child.
Instead of having to describe verbally how your child is feeling or what may be troubling them, as often required in 'talk' therapy, they are able to use toys and materials in the playroom to communicate, without feeling questioned, or threatened or the need to work through concerns they may not yet be ready to explore.
Child Centered Play Therapy is typically considered a medium to long term therapy intervention, that is based on the child’s developmental stage, presenting issues, needs and temperament.
After an initial assessment of your child’s needs, they will attend weekly/fortnightly therapy sessions for up to 50 minutes, preferably occurring on the same day, at the same time, to ensure consistency for your child. Your play therapist will meet with you at regular periods throughout the therapy process, to discuss your child’s growth and development and observations you may have to inform treatment goals.
LEARN TO PLAY
Our Learn to Play program in a dynamic and interactive program that supports children in developing their ability to spontaneously self-initiate play and builds their pretend play skills to their expected age and development level.
Pretend play is the most complex form of play and impact’s a child’s ability to develop language and communication skills, cognitive skills, social skills and their emotional regulation.
After an initial assessment, your child will have the opportunity to engage in a weekly session with their play therapist, where they will be introduced to a variety of play activities that match their current developmental level. These activities will become more complex overtime, challenging your child in a supportive manner, as their pretend play skills develop.
Our Learn to Play program is a directive form of play therapy and considered a short-term intervention that can be conducted over 8-12 sessions and may be extended depending on your child’s needs.
Our Learn to Play program supports children to be able to participate in meaningful play with others, engage positively with their peers, work through conflict, comprehend stories and narrative, build confidence and be able to express themselves in a positive way.
FILIAL THERAPY
Filial Therapy is a type of family play therapy and aims to strengthen the parent-child relationship, create healthy attachments and prevent family disruption, through the use of play.
Under the guidance of a play therapist, over 12 sessions, parents learn basic play and therapeutic skills to support meaningful interactions with their child in their home. Skill development includes empathic listening, imaginary play and limit setting. Throughout the process parents are provided with support, supervision and coaching. Parents are viewed as partners in this therapeutic process, empowering them to become key agents of change in their child’s life.
Filial Therapy is suitable for children who experience social, emotional and behavioural problems and are between 3-12 years of age. It can be used with children who may have trouble expressing their feelings, forming trusting and positive relationships, have attachment problems, anxiety, depression, aggressive behaviours, difficulty getting along with siblings or peers or may have experienced trauma.