Frequently Asked Questions
We are more than happy to answer any questions for you which we haven’t below
So, what is play therapy really all about?
Play therapy is a theoretically-based, age-appropriate approach to child therapy that builds on the normal communication style of children. Therapists strategically use play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts & feelings. In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s
language.
Can my child benefit from seeing a play therapist?
Research supports the effectiveness of play therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioural and learning problems including:
- Anxiety
- Family Separation
- Trauma
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Death / grief and loss
- Chronic illness
- Physical and/or sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Natural disasters
- Social / relationship issues
How can a play therapist help my child & what are some of the benefits?
Play therapy provides the opportunity for children to develop insight and resolution about inner conflicts or dysfunctional thinking, and allows them to learn more adaptive behaviours when there are emotional or skills deficits. Play therapy helps children:
- Become more responsible for behaviours and develop successful strategies
- Develop new and creative solutions to problems
- Develop respect and acceptance of self and others
- Learn to experience and express emotions
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop empathy and respect for self and others
What is the difference between seeing a psychologist, and seeing a play therapist?
Play therapy is a form of child counselling which offers medium to long term support through weekly sessions. Psychologists generally offer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) services under the Medicare rebate
scheme, which offers 6-10 sessions in a calendar year with short term intervention, often through the use of talk based therapies such as CBT.
Who is eligible for Play Therapy?
We most commonly provide play therapy services to children aged 2-12 years, however referrals for teenagers and adults are welcome.
Are you an NDIS provider?
Yes, we are a registered NDIS provider!
Am I able to claim a Medicare or private health insurance rebate?
Our organisation is fee for service, so we are able to accept private paying clients or NDIS funded clients only. At this stage, play therapy services are unable to rebated through Medicare or private health insurance.
If I want to book in to see a play therapist, how do I do this?
Our process for supporting clients is to arrange an initial consultation with yourself to discuss your referral, what supports/goals you are seeking from therapy, and more detailed information about play therapy and how we can help. Please contact our team via phone on 1300 424 752 or submit an enquiry/booking request via our online contact or booking forms today to arrange an initial consultation. We are also happy to answer any queries you may have.
What can I expect from my initial consultation?
Initial consultations are with yourself only, without your child. This is so we can discuss your referral in more detail and determine how we can help with play therapy. From there, we will arrange ongoing sessions with your child.
Sessions take approximately 1 hour on a weekly basis, with regular parent consultations also conducted to work in collaboration with all family involved.