Using relationship, play and creative interventions to help kids and teens thrive
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WELCOME
We are currently updating our website to reflect our wide range of services and qualifications.
Please contact info@playtherapysouthwest.com.au for information on our services.
Play Therapy & Counselling South West
Located in Camperdown, Play Therapy and Counselling South West works with children, adolescents and their families from across the Colac-Otway, Corangamite and Moyne Shires.
Therapists are trained in the delivery of evidence based modalities including Child Centred Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Therapeutic Life Story Work. Play Therapy & Counselling South West privileges the therapeutic relationship above all, as it is through this that children begin to make sense of their experiences and begin to heal.
With a strong focus on creative interventions for older kids and teens; use of EMDR to process single trauma experiences and aide in installation of mastery; Play Therapy & Counselling South West hopes to create an environment where everyone feels seen, heard and understood.
“Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts and souls meet.” Virginia Axline
Services
Child Centred Play Therapy
Filial Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitation Reprocessing (EMDR) Level 1
Therapeutic Life Story Work
Adolescent Counselling
Animal Assisted Therapy (coming soon)
Child Play Therapy Session
Play therapy is a modality where children take the therapist into their world as they see it. It is an evidence based non directive modality where toys become children’s words and play their language. Through this safe space and empathic relationship, the child is able to work through difficult issues, process past trauma and develop a positive sense of self. The play room and trained therapist allows children to explore behaviours, emotions and feelings through play so that they can take then take what they learn out into the real world. Through this process children learn they are capable, loveable human beings. Children learn how to handle big feelings, maintain self control, build social skills, self regulate and develop mastery over their world.
Filial Therapy
Filial therapy (FT) is based on the principles of Child Centred Play Therapy. In this modality the parent becomes the therapeutic agent of change. The therapist becomes a teacher to the parent equipping them with the skills and understanding required to have play sessions (or special time for older children) at home with their child. Therapeutic goals for FT include- symptom reduction and personality growth in the child, improved parent child relationship, improved parenting skills and improvement in the functioning of the family system. FT may be ideal where there has been a disruption in attachment and/or multiple children within the family would benefit from therapy. Filial therapy empowers the parent to work with their child, creating long lasting change through improved relationship and understanding of each other.
Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW)
TLSW enables children and young people who have experienced the trauma of child abuse and neglect and who are struggling with the pain of their past reflect, develop compassion for themselves and move on. Without a life story children are disconnected, adrift and vulnerable. By connecting children with their life story they are able to integrate their own memories and experiences with what is being told. The child then begins to make sense of their fragmented life and can move forward with an understanding of where they have been. The TLSW process is lengthy and takes 9-12 months, involving 3 stages. Stage 1 involves up to 3 months of work behind the scenes with the therapist researching the young persons story. Stage 2 is direct work with the young person and a parent/carer which on average is 18-22 face to face or Telehealth sessions. TLSW is best suited to children who have lived in multiple foster homes, out of home care or have experiences with adoption.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy that enables people and children to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.
What To Expect At Your Visit
The first session is valuable in gaining insight into the world of your child. To ensure we can speak freely about your concerns we ask that children do not attend the first session. First sessions go for 70-90 minutes to ensure enough time to discuss past and present concerns and formulate treatment goals. During the session your therapist will discuss the theoretical and evidence base behind the modalities. An appointment will be made to meet your child the following week and the therapist will discuss how best to prepare them for therapy.
Get to Know our Therapists
Meet Sally
Sally is a Social Worker with the AASW. Prior to completing her Masters of Social Work in 2019 she completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) and Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology. Sally has always had a passion for working with children and their families; working in not for profit agencies, child protection, youth development and family violence programs.
Sally has completed training in Child Centred Play Therapy, Interplay, AutPlay, Theraplay and Filial Play Therapy. Sally is deeply passionate about working alongside families, meeting them where they are and ensuring everyone feels heard, valued and seen and that the journey to healing and thriving is inclusive, empathic, supported and firmly based in relationship.
Sally's passion for learning so that she can deliver the best modalities and fidelity to practice models means that she is constantly updating her skills, and knowledge so that she can give her families and clients the best experience possible. Sally is also trained in Therapeutic Life Story Work, EMDR and specialises in trauma, attachment disruptions and children and young people living in out of home care.
Sally regularly delivers training through Mackillop Family Services; this training is aimed at disrupting and preventing child sexual exploitation, harmful sexual behaviour and dating violence. She is also trained in facilitating Tuning into Teens and Tuning into Kids.
Sally's proudest achievement is her 3 gorgeous children who continue to inspire her to learn more and do better every single day. Her lived experience of having an Autistic child with complex medical needs and trauma inspire her passion for growth, development and advocacy.
Meet Albie- Therapy Dog
Albus Dumbledore "Albie" is a 5 year old black Labrador. Albie and Sally have done training with Lead The Way Institute and became qualified through Pawfect Communities in Cobden. Albie loves it when his friend Cooper comes to hang out (work) in the playroom. He used to spend his time chewing barbie dolls heads and stealing foods; but these days he enjoys sucking on his dummy (a soft toy) and lying next to the action. Albie loves doing obstacles courses, answering yes/ no questions and going for walks.
Albie really loves hanging out with the teenagers in the Corner Room.
Contact Us
The Corner Therapy Hub and Play Therapy & Counselling South West are located in the Old Toy Library in the Theatre Royal, entrance is from the corner of Manifold and Bath Streets.
0413 586 745
