Psycho-educational Assessments
A comprehensive view of a learner's cognitive, academic, emotional and behavioural profile.
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Play Therapy
Helping children express, understand and work through their emotions
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Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling or experiencing. Sometimes their emotions show up through play, behaviour, withdrawal, anger, anxiety or changes in the way they interact with others. Play therapy provides children with a safe, supportive space where they can communicate and explore their experiences through play.
Rather than expecting a child to sit and talk about difficult feelings, play becomes the language through which they can express themselves, make sense of their experiences and develop new ways of coping.
Who can benefit from play therapy?
Play therapy can be helpful for children who are experiencing emotional, behavioural or adjustment difficulties, including:
Anxiety, fears or frequent worries
Anger, frustration or emotional outbursts
Low self-esteem or confidence
Difficulty managing or expressing emotions
Changes in behaviour or mood
Social difficulties or challenges forming relationships
Family changes, separation or parental conflict
Grief or loss
Difficult or stressful life experiences
Difficulty adjusting to changes at home or school
Behaviour that parents or teachers are finding difficult to understand or manage
Play therapy may also be appropriate when a child seems to be struggling but cannot explain why, or when parents simply feel that their child needs a safe space to work through what they are experiencing.
When should parents consider play therapy?
You may want to consider play therapy when you notice persistent changes in your child's emotions, behaviour or relationships, particularly when these are interfering with their everyday functioning or well-being. Parents sometimes seek support when they notice things such as:
“She is much more anxious than she used to be.”
“He gets extremely upset over small things and struggles to calm down.”
“We know something is bothering her, but she won't talk about it.”
“His behaviour has changed since something happened at home or school.”
“She seems to have lost confidence in herself.”
“He is struggling with the changes in our family.”
“We have tried talking to him, but it doesn't seem to help.”
You do not need to know exactly what is wrong before seeking support. Part of the therapeutic process is helping the child and adults around them understand what may be underlying the difficulty.
What happens in play therapy?
Play therapy sessions take place in a safe, supportive and child-friendly environment with carefully selected toys, games, art materials and other expressive activities. Rather than directing the child to talk about a particular problem, the therapist uses play to build a trusting relationship and create opportunities for the child to express and explore their experiences. Depending on the child's age and needs, sessions may involve:
Creative and imaginative play
Drawing and other art-based activities
Games and storytelling
Puppets, role-play and symbolic play
Activities that develop emotional awareness and regulation
Therapeutic conversations appropriate to the child's developmental level
The therapist observes how the child communicates and responds within the therapeutic relationship and uses this information to support emotional processing, problem-solving and the development of healthier coping strategies.
What can families expect from play therapy?
The goals of therapy are individualised and depend on what your child is experiencing. Therapy may help your child to:
Understand and express their emotions more effectively
Develop healthier ways of coping with difficult feelings
Build emotional regulation and resilience
Develop greater confidence and self-esteem
Process difficult or stressful experiences
Improve communication and relationships
Develop problem-solving and coping skills
Feel more secure and understood
Parents are also an important part of the therapeutic process. Where appropriate, parent feedback and guidance are provided to help caregivers understand their child's needs and support emotional development at home.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need to be able to talk about their feelings for play therapy to work?
No. This is one of the strengths of play therapy. Children can communicate and process experiences through play even when they do not yet have the words to explain what they are feeling.
Is play therapy just playing?
No. Although play is at the centre of the session, it takes place within a structured therapeutic relationship and is guided by the child's emotional and developmental needs. The therapist uses play intentionally to support emotional understanding, coping and growth.
How long will my child need play therapy?
This varies from child to child. The length of therapy depends on the nature of the concerns, the child's needs and their progress. This will be discussed with parents as therapy progresses.
Will parents be involved in the sessions?
This depends on the child's age, needs and therapeutic goals. Some sessions may involve the child independently, while parent consultation and guidance form an important part of the broader therapeutic process.
What if my child doesn't want to come to therapy?
It is normal for some children to feel unsure about starting therapy. Building a trusting relationship is an important first step, and sessions are designed to be welcoming and age-appropriate rather than demanding that a child immediately discuss difficult experiences.
A safe space to be understood
Play therapy gives children an opportunity to communicate in the way that comes most naturally to them. Through play, children can explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words, develop new coping skills and build a stronger understanding of themselves and their emotions. The goal is not simply to change a child's behaviour, but to understand what the behaviour may be communicating and help the child develop the emotional tools they need to cope, connect and thrive.
Other services
Psychotherapy
Therapeutic support for children, adolescents and adults facing emotional, relational or adjustment challenges.
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School-readiness Assessments
A developmental assessment that helps determine whether a child is ready for formal schooling.
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Enquire about Play Therapy
Tell Tanya a little about the support you are looking for, or view the practice location before booking.
68 Meg's Place, Bergbron