Play Therapy
Enter into children's play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet - Virginia Axline
Children don’t always have the words to tell us what is happening inside them. They may show us through their behaviour, emotions, relationships - and through their play.
Play Therapy offers children a safe, developmentally appropriate way to express themselves, explore experiences and make sense of their inner world without relying on them to explain everything in words.
Rather than expecting a child to communicate in the same way an adult might in counselling,
Play Therapy meets children in a language that comes naturally to them: play.
How Play Therapy works
Through play, children explore relationships, express feelings, work through experiences and make sense of the world around them. In the playroom, children can use toys, figures, art, sand, imaginative play, movement or storytelling.
There is no right way to play.
Sessions are adapted to your child’s age, development, communication style and interests.
What Play Therapy can help with
Emotions & Wellbeing
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Anxiety, worries or fears
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Big emotions or difficulties with emotional regulation
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Low mood or withdrawal
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Low confidence & self-esteem.
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Selective mutism & anxiety
School and Relationship Issues
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School-related anxiety, overwhelm or difficulty attending school
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Friendship and social difficulties
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Navigating ADHD, autism, giftedness or sensory differences
Life Experiences & Change
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Trauma, grief & loss
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Medical experiences, chronic illness or hospitalisation
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Family change, separation or other significant transitions
What to expect
Start with
a parent session
Work out the
right approach
Stay connected
Review
The first step is a parent or caregiver consultation without your child present. This gives us time to understand what's been happening, your child's development and experiences, their strengths and relationships, and your goals for therapy.
If Play Therapy seems like an appropriate fit, we'll talk about how to introduce it to your child and what the process will look like. Children then attend regular individual Play Therapy sessions.
Parent consultations continue alongside your child's therapy, giving us space to think together about what you're noticing at home and how the adults around your child can support their emotional and relational needs.
Play Therapy is child led and takes time - we'll review progress together and adjust goals accordingly.
Not sure where to start?
You don't need to know whether Play Therapy is the right approach before getting in touch. We can talk about what's happening for your child and consider whether Play Therapy, child counselling or parent consultation might be the most helpful place to begin.
Play Therapy sessions are offered in person in Wheelers Hill, VIC. Parent consultations may also be available via telehealth across Australia.