Play Therapy a Child-Centred Approach
Play can make a difference
Play is educational, in that it teaches motor skills, social skills, language and cognitive skills
Children can express themselves in play, working through problems and fears
Play helps to integrate many skills as the child grows and develops,
Play helps children problem solve, they become more resilient
Play helps the brain grow and mature
In Child Play Therapy the child is seen as the agent of their own change, they have the capability to help themselves, they are the centre of the therapy. In much the same as person-centred therapy for adults, play therapy helps support the child to find their own answers, to build their resilience and learn about themselves. Play therapy is non-directive, meaning the child is in charge of what they want to work on in the session, there are limits but not rules and the child is free to move around at their own pace.
As children use play to communicate, to process, to understand, to learn and to develop their skills it seems natural to use this method of communication to work with a child that is struggling.
In Play Therapy a therapeutic space is created that is safe, predictable and non-directive. An attachment based relationship is created by the therapist that allows the child to feel free to explore their own issues, their fears and emotions, without judgement or comment. The child directs their own behaviour, and works on the issues that they would like to.
The playroom is a special place, there are limits but not rules, and the therapist is an adult but not a teacher. The child can be and do whatever they want.
Learn to Play
Coping with developmental challenges
Learn to Play therapy is a technique developed to help children who struggle to play. Not all children are capable of play, especially pretend play. Children with neurological disorders or disabilities, children with language difficulties, have suffered trauma and those that may demonstrate behavioural disorders or difficulties, are all examples of those that may have difficulty in playing. And are also demonstrative of those that could benefit from the Learn to play program.
Learn to Play therapy aims to support the child to play independently and spontaneously, to increase their ability to use their imagination and increase their use of narrative in their play. Benefits can include:
language sounds increasing
communication
learning capacity increases
the use of symbols increase
play becomes more spontaneous
the length of play increases in time
peer interactions increase
and there is more joy and happiness in the child
Humanistic Play Therapy
Helping the child find their own answers
In Child Play Therapy the child is seen as the agent of their own change, they have the capability to help themselves, they are the centre of the therapy. In much the same as person-centred therapy for adults, play therapy helps support the child to find their own answers, to build their resilience and learn about themselves. Play therapy is non-directive, meaning the child is in charge of what they want to work on in the session, there are limits but not rules and the child is free to move around at their own pace.
As children use play to communicate, to process, to understand, to learn and to develop their skills it seems natural to use this method of communication to work with a child that is struggling.
In Play Therapy a therapeutic space is created that is safe, predictable and non-directive. An attachment based relationship is created by the therapist that allows the child to feel free to explore their own issues, their fears and emotions, without judgement or comment. The child directs their own behaviour, and works on the issues that they would like to. The playroom is a special place, there are limits but not rules, and the therapist is an adult but not a teacher. The child can be and do whatever they want.
Play therapy is effective in helping children dealing with many different problems; an example of these are:
Social adjustments
Literacy and numeracy
Sleeping
Bullying
Divorce
Grief
Trauma (neglect/sexual, emotional or physical abuse)
Attachment difficulties
Emotional overreaction
Anxiety
Filial Therapy
Strengthening families through play
Filial Therapy is a therapy technique that teaches parents or caregivers to use therapeutic play with their own children. Filial Therapy involves everyone in the immediate family, this is to help cement unity and consistency within the household.
The Filial Therapy technique creates the same shifts as play therapy but as it is the primary caregiver of the children the shifts are stronger, faster and longer lasting. The belief behind this is that parents know their child more intimately, parents have a stronger influence in their child’s life, there is not a requirement of rapport building as there is between the therapist and child; the relationship is already there.
The main aim of Filial Therapy is to create a more empathic, understanding and supportive family as a whole. With the added lifelong goal of having special time between the child and the parent.
Counselling and Psychotherapy
At ABC Therapy we see the child as a part of a many systems, the most important one being the family system. That is why we also offer counselling and psychotherapy to our families and all other individuals that feel they need support.
One of the most important questions we are often asked is “What is the difference between, counselling, psychotherapy and psychology?”
Counselling is often seen as a short service that is focused more on specific issues, concerns, and worries, whereas psychotherapy is a longer approach that seeks to view the person in a holistic fashion; its structure seeks to explore the entire person in relation to their concerns, worries and problems. This psychotherapy is often structured by a specific technique such as Narrative Therapy, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Psychologists can be psychotherapist’s as well but are essentially trained at first in the study of the human mind, and therefore they may undertake assessments and diagnostic work before undertaking the psychotherapy process.
At ABC, we specialise in counselling and psychotherapy. Our approach is always person centred, our belief is that while a diagnosis can be important, it is not always necessary. Essentially our service prides itself in the belief that all of us are able to find our own answers and are agents in our own change. We feel that most of us do not need to be told what to do, but rather supported to find how we can manage our own issues. This leads to higher levels of resilience and in most cases the changes we make will be permanent, which is not always the case when we are told what to do.
Our service is open to all individuals, couples and families that are in need of support, you may have a diagnosis or are struggling with everyday life challenges; either way we can help you.
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE NOW!
New therapist on board
We would like to welcome Katie to our practice. Katie is a play therapist with a background in education and a Masters degree in Child Play Therapy.
With Katie joining us we have many new session times available.
Please reach out for more information on how we can help your child and your family. and remember we offer counselling and psychotherapy for all age groups as well.
Danielle Moffat
BPysch MCounsPyschTh MCPT
I am a qualified and registered counsellor and psychotherapist with experience in working with families, couples and individuals. I specialise in Child Play Therapy with training in three different modalities. Learn to Play, Humanistic Play Therapy and Filial Therapy.
I also offer individual and family counselling, with 10 years experience working with parents and families in therapeutic services. I have a focus on person-centred approaches and narrative therapy.
Katie Clark
BECE MCPT
Katie is a play therapist with a background in education and a Masters degree in Child Play Therapy.
Ben Simmons
Counselling and Psychotherapy Student
Ben is a student counsellor and psychotherapist with a Bachelors and Master of Education. He is experienced in working with adults and adolescents and uses a person centred, experiential, values approach in supporting clients. Ben supports a range of clients but has specific interest in, neurodiversity, body dysmorphia, disordered eating, anxiety, emotional regulation and trauma.
Ben is currently undertaking his university placement at our clinic and is offering free counselling services for anyone over 13 years of age. Please feel free to contact us for anymore details.
Please feel free to contact for more information on how Play Therapy can help your child.
Or contact us for any of your personal counselling needs.
Shop 3 1263 North East Road, Ridgehaven, 5097
0490 077 141
Hours of opening
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Some after hours appointments available on request.