IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Play Therapy
I help children explore, process, and heal from stressful past and present experiences with play.
Play Therapy for Children
I facilitate a safe and nurturing space in Highfields (Toowoomba) for children from 3 years old all the way to adulthood using Child-Centred Play Therapy.
What is Child-Centred Play Therapy?
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is a therapeutic counselling approach of ‘being with’ the child, where they have the freedom to express, through play, whatever is going on for them. CCPT is 100% child-led, where children communicate through play. It can be difficult for children to put into words their experiences, thoughts and feelings. Play offers children a natural form of communication, which they use in their everyday life to learn.
It is through play where children can explore, express and process various different events in their lives. For example, moving house, introducing a new sibling or processing the death of a loved one. Check out this short video from Dr. Dee Ray, briefly explaining what Play Therapy is and how it can benefit your child.
As a Play Therapist, I can assist and support your child with:
Decreasing anxiety
Developing confidence and resilience
Increasing their empathy and connection with others
Feeling in control of challenging situations
Improving self-esteem and self-wroth
Becoming responsible and accountable for behaviours
Re-framing negative self-talk
Becoming responsible and accountable for behaviours
Developing the ability to make appropriate decisions and choices
Developing awareness of their feelings and thoughts, and express them in safe, healthy ways
Compassionate play therapy in Darling Downs for emotional healing
Working alongside children and parents my passion. As a trauma-informed and neuro-affirming, Play Therapist & Counsellor, my priority is to ensure all clients feel safe and supported. For 20 years I’ve dedicated my time to gaining experience, knowledge and qualifications as a Counsellor, Early Childhood Educator, Aware Parenting Instructor and Play Therapist.
I designed a purpose-built Therapy Cubby in my beautiful gardens to ensure children feel comfortable and secure. If you would like to know more about Child-Centred Play Therapy and how it can benefit your child and family, please contact me and I will send you my Play Therapy Handbook.
NDIS-funded clients are welcome. When booking please ensure appointments are under your child’s name - even if it is a parent-only session. This is especially important for NDIS purposes.
A safe and nurturing play therapy space for your child’s healing journey
It can often feel daunting to attend a new Therapy with a new Therapist in a new space. The physical environment is so important in establishing a sense of safety, which is why the Therapy Cubby is situated on my property in Darling Downs amongst beautiful gardens. Every single detail has been well thought out and planned to enhance the therapeutic aspect of this journey. This safe little cubby is also a direct reflection of the emotional support that I offer all of my clients.
If you don’t live in the Darling Downs region, TelePlay is also an option for you and your child
The only requirements are to have access to the internet, as the sessions are conducted via Zoom. I will send you more information regarding the toys that your child will need to have access to, that will only be used for CCPT. These toys can be purchased from op-shops or discount shops. For more information, please email me here.
FAQs
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There is no definitive answer to this question. We need to take into account your child’s history, any diagnoses, what therapy they are currently or have previously undertaken, etc. As a rough estimate it can take 24-26 sessions (attended weekly or fortnightly) for your child to reach the Mastery Stage of play therapy. However, every child, situaton and circumstance is different. So, for some children this can take longer, for others not as many sessions. It is not recommended for children to aRend Play Therapy any less than fortnightly sessions. Monthly sessions can reduce the effective of your child taking full advantage of this space.
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Many children experience separation anxiety, so it is important that your child knows you are close. It is strongly recommended that parents wait in their car for the duration of the 45-minute play therapy session. You can use this time to read, listen to a podcast and just relax. In warmer months, a small table and chairs will be set up near the Therapy Cubby for you to wait (please note, siblings are not permitted in this area, please see below for more information). Please note I will not able to supervise your child once their session has finished, as she needs to prepare for the next client. This means you must be here to physically collect your child as soon as their session ends.
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It is highly recommended NOT to bring any other children. The reason for this is because these play therapy sessions need to be centred around the child that attends them. Siblings can cause unnecessary distractions and anxiety for your child attending play therapy, and can negatively impact the experience. Siblings will not be permitted to enter the Therapy Cubby under any circumstances, as this is a safe space reserved only for current children participating in play therapy.
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NDIS clients:
Plan-managed – invoices will be emailed to your Plan Manager for payment.
Self-managed – payment is expected at the beginning of each session, which
can be done via Square (card payment)
Private clients:
Payment is due at the beginning of the session either by card or can be invoiced via email (payment strictly due within 7 days)
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NDIS & Non-NDIS Clients – all fees are set out by NDIS, whether clients receive funding or not.
Child Session: Price: $161.64 per 50-minute consultation session (includes 45-minute therapy session and 5 mins supported transition, admin and pack down time)
Parent consultations in person or via telephone. Price: $193.99 per 1 hour consultation Parent/carer consultations are conducted every 6 sessions either in person or via telephone (at the request of the parent or carer)
Written reports provided to participant on request. Price: $193.99 per hour for 2 hours
Therapist to attend and participate in inductions, stakeholder meetings or similar on request Price: $193.99 per hour, minimum 1 hour engagement
NDIS Clients will receive a Service Agreement, which they can share with their Plan Manager to ensure they have the funds to cover Play Therapy.
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I am more than happy to provide email or phone support, granted what you need to share/ask, as well as my response takes less than 15 minutes. If it requires more time, it might be best to schedule a session, because I greatly value providing you with the appropriate time and space to share what is going on for you, and I cannot always meet your needs over the phone or via email.
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Our toileting and bathroom facilities are strictly for play therapy clients only. I will escort children to the indoor toilet/bathroom if they need to go.
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It is so common for our child/ren’s therapy journeys to bring up things for us, much of which occurred during our own childhoods. You are more than welcome to see me for your own 1:1 counselling/parenting support sessions. In these sessions you might like to explore more support and strategies for yourself, so that you can better support your child. Or you might like to explore your own feelings and needs. My approach in this space is an extension of what happens in play therapy. You will experience unconditional compassion, acceptance, support, deep listening and empathy. My approach is also trauma-informed.
