Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose Child Centred Play Therapy?

Informed by neuroscience and humanistic approaches play therapy works with the entire brain to process experiences of disruption in attachment, trauma and work through presenting concerns. It helps build emotional regulation, impulse control, cause and effect thinking, improve emotional intelligence and helps the child build and maintain positive friendships and relationships. When children play they are able to remain in their window of tolerance, as play is in itself mindfulness. Children are fully engaged in the process and are therefore able to take on more information, they are also able to try out different endings, role plays and transform themselves into anyone they want to be. This allows for greater self expression and exploration. The learnings through play are practiced in the play room and then shown in real life. Resulting in an improved self concept, better ability to manage big feelings and better relationships.

What should I tell my child about coming to therapy?

It is important to be transparent with your child in age appropriate terms as to why they are coming to therapy. For younger children explaining that once a week you get to spend time in the play room with Sally may be enough. Showing your child pictures of the play room on the internet may help to relieve anxieties. For older children it can be helpful for the parent to communicate they have spoken with Sally and they know their child is experiencing difficulties in x or y. This removes the child feeling they have to tell their story during the first session and fosters transparency and trust in your relationship between yourself and your child. Sally also has audio recorded PowerPoint social stories that she can send to you to show your child prior to session.

Do you offer medicare rebates?

No, we are unable to provide rebates through medicare or private health at this time.
Funding options can be available through Employee Assistance Programs, WorkCover, TAC and Victims of Crime. Your therapist is happy to discuss with you ways of exploring funding options where possible.
Our fees are subject to change depending on individual client circumstances, treatment modality and funding. We endeavour to provide a service that is affordable for all. The standard fee for Social Workers according to the Australian Association of Social Workers in $270 per 50 minute session.

How long does it take?

For Child Centred Play Therapy Sessions the average child will move through the stages of play therapy in 16- 20 sessions. When a child is struggling emotionally or we are working within financial and system constraints we naturally feel the pressure to "fix" the problem quickly. This often leads to an intuitive response of providing strategies and interventions directly aimed at the presenting concern. We naturally want to alleviate the child and the family suffering as quickly as we can. However, this can create difficulties in not meeting children where they are and/ or "doing to" children rather than "doing with". A child-centred approach facilitates change as opposed to directing change and therefore it is the only method that provides significant enduring change- change that comes from within and therefore belongs to the child as they move forward in their life (Cochrane, Nordling & Cochrane).
Additionally play therapy does not rely on verbal expression, trauma can be stored in the body at nonverbal stages of development and play therapy provides the opportunity for expression of children's experiences without relying on words.
Adolescent counselling, EMDR and directive sessions can vary in length depending on client presentation, external stressors and engagement and consistency in therapy. This may be 5-10 sessions but could be more or less. The aim of therapy is to achieve treatment goals, it is not ethical or possible to guarantee results.