Frequently Asked Questions

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Play therapy is a form of counseling that uses play to communicate with and help children navigate their worlds. It allows children to express themselves, explore their feelings, and resolve emotional difficulties through play, their natural medium of communication. The therapist creates a safe and supportive environment where the child can freely express themselves, guiding them through the therapeutic process.

Play therapists specialise in using play as a means of communication and expression for children, recognising that play is the natural language of childhood. This approach is especially beneficial for young children who may not have the verbal skills or emotional vocabulary to express themselves in talk-based therapy settings.

In contrast, psychologists utilise talk-based therapy techniques, which may not be as developmentally appropriate or effective for young children. 

Play therapy can address a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and social difficulties, including anxiety, trauma, grief, big changes, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and more.

Children naturally play everywhere, including at school and at home. Play Therapy provides a safe space for children where their actions and feelings are reflected by their play therapist to help them become aware of their feelings so they can express them in a self-regulated and appropriate way. We also help enlarge the meaning of their play so they feel heard and understood and can recognise what these experiences and challenges really mean for them. 

Also, kids are really smart - they won't necessarily open up about big challenges or worries while playing with friends. Children learn that play therapy is for them to express whatever it is they need to because we are here to listen. 

1. Initial phone call with you as parent/caregivers to ask/answer any questions and decide if play therapy is right for you.
2. Initial meeting with you (your child is not present) to gather information about your child’s emotional, behavioural, social and physical concerns and your family history. Here we will also set therapeutic goals.
3. First individual play therapy session with your child. Sessions are 50 minutes long. 
4. Ongoing play therapy sessions held weekly (or fortnightly if discussed) on the same day and at the same time, for consistency. 
5. Catch up parent consults every 6 or so sessions to discuss the themes that your child has been exploring through play in their sessions and to examine their progress (goals) in and outside the playroom. We will also discuss next steps in therapy and I can offer further support or recommendations.
6. Ending play therapy is just as important as the beginning and middle as it is another transition in your child's life that requires support and care. A count down of sessions in the lead up to a final session will be discussed, however a minimum of 2 is recommended. 
7. Final parent consult with you if desired to offer support and chat about further recommendations.

The duration of play therapy varies depending on your child's needs and goals, which also may change throughout the process. Generally, play therapy can range from a few months to a year or more with sessions being held weekly. 

Absolutely, We are proudly neurodivergent affirming so no matter your child's neurotype, they are welcome in session with us. This also means that we will not try to change, fix or cure your child. We will embrace your child, celebrate them and show them each and every session how amazing we think they are - just as they are, and support them to do the same. 

It's a common misunderstanding that play therapy involves teaching children how to play. In reality, we don't teach children how to play because their natural way of playing is what suits them best. Teaching them a specific way to play would imply that our method is 'correct' and theirs is not. Instead, we observe and follow your child's lead, learning how they express themselves and 'speak' through play in their unique way. This approach is effective because it makes children feel heard, understood, and respected.

Absolutely. Play therapy doesn't rely on verbal communication to make a positive impact on your child's life. I have worked with children who don't speak a work for multiple sessions yet still make progress and reach goals outside of therapy. This is because our approach stems from showing unconditional positive regard and accepting each child as they are without expecting them to change for us. However, it's important to note that your child should have a certain level of receptive language.