Play Therapy, Counselling and Parent Coaching in Ferntree Gully

Counselling, Play Therapy and Parent Coaching

Play Therapy

Children do not possess the complex, expressive language skills needed to communicate the challenges they are experiencing. Since children communicate their wants, needs, and feelings largely through play behaviors, play therapy becomes the natural pathway for a child’s communication system and the primary vehicle through which the child is able to express an understanding of their world. 

Play therapists work with children and their families referred for childhood attachment difficulties, trauma, anxiety, depression, bereavement, low self-esteem, developmental delays, social and emotional challenges associated with neurodiversity.   Child Centered Play Therapy is one of the most common forms of play therapy. It is an evidence based approach which allows children to decide on the direction and the pace of therapy. This is all provided within the context of a full acceptance of who the child is and whatever they present.

Counselling

Teen counselling is a safe space to talk, create, play, or just figure things out at your own pace. Some sessions might be more about talking, others about play or activities — whatever works best for you. We use a range of counselling modalities to help you manage tough thoughts and feelings and focus on the things that matter most to you.

Parent Coaching

Parenting can be hard, particularly when your child's behaviour, emotions or needs feel difficult to understand. You may know that your child is struggling, but still feel unsure about what to do in the moment. Parent coaching provides a space to slow things down, be heard and make sense of what is happening. Together, we explore your child's challenges through a brain, body, developmental and relational lens, looking beneath the behaviour to understand what your child may be communicating, what skills are still developing and what might be getting in the way. The focus is not on giving you another generic list of parenting strategies, but on finding approaches that are meaningful and realistic for your child, you and your family.

Parent coaching also recognises the parent. Sometimes you need practical guidance; sometimes you need encouragement, reassurance or simply someone to listen and acknowledge that parenting can be really hard. You don't have to wait until your child is in therapy to seek support, and you don't need your whole family to change before you can begin. Change in one person can influence the relationships and patterns around them, creating new possibilities within the family. Support is flexible and tailored to your needs and the complexity of your situation, and can be provided independently or alongside your child's play therapy or counselling, either face-to-face or online.