Psychological Support for Children & Adolescents
Our psychologists specialise in providing psychological assessment and treatment to children and adolescents experiencing a wide range of difficulties. Psychological assessment is often helpful in understanding the strengths and challenges a child may have in their cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning. We understand that as children and adolescents continue to learn, grow and change, their needs will be very different. Our trained child psychologists and qualified therapists are sensitive to development across the lifespan, and your individual child’s journey. Rest assured that we can offer services aimed at an appropriate level for your child.
Play Therapy for Children
Play therapy is a powerful means of joining with the innate and creative capacities of children to engage and work therapeutically with them. It optimises children’s abilities to express, explore and resolve troubled thoughts and feelings. It is a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based method of counselling younger clients. In play therapy, children can play out, literally and/or metaphorically, their inner and real life experiences in a way that builds insight and capacity. Play therapy allows children to express, regulate, communicate, practice and master new skills as well as their emotional responses.
When children feel comfortable, relaxed and safe enough to express their concerns, abilities and interests, then we are allowed to see and hear some of their real experiences.
While there is substantial and growing evidence for the efficacy of play therapy, play therapy may not be suitable or necessarily the best form of assessment and intervention for all children or presenting issues. A thorough parent or carer assessment prior to working with children is essential to determine how best to understand and work with a child, if at all. In some families where children are displaying challenging affect or behaviour, the optimal intervention can involve working primarily with parents.
Play therapy is a globally recognised and established method of working with children, formed from the psychodynamic and humanist traditions. Our play therapist, Natalie, has a postgraduate level qualification in mental health and additional intensive training in play therapy foundational skills, theory, knowledge and practice. She is a member of the Australiasia Pacific Play Therapy Association and engages in ongoing professional development and supervision in play therapy.
Theraplay®
What is it?
Theraplay® is a child and family therapy for enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust and joyful engagement between a child and their caregiver. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun.
Theraplay® interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge.
Theraplay® sessions create an active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver, resulting in a changed view of the self as worthy and lovable and of relationships as positive and rewarding. Theraplay® provides new experiences of positive social engagement, reciprocity, play,
pleasure, joy and soothing care.
Who is it for?
Oftentimes, children who have experienced trauma such as abuse, neglect, medical issues, seeing traumatic material, etc., will have a difficult time regulating their emotions and behaviours. Theraplay is designed to help them relearn how to regulate themselves and their emotions.
Theraplay® is used with a wide variety of issues: Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Reactive Attachment Disorder can all benefit from Theraplay®. It also has a strong evidence base in supporting children with developmental delays and Autism.
Children without a diagnosis can also benefit from Theraplay®, including children who
are acting out, angry, non-compliant, withdrawn, depressed, and those with attachment insecurities.
What are the benefits?
Theraplay® activities aim at creating a feeling of closeness between the child and parent, which is attained through activities in which the child experiences the adult as creating the structure (the rules and boundaries) while engaging, challenging and nurturing the child through specific play based activities.
The goal of Theraplay® is that the child be more at ease with adults and other children, have less of a need to stay in charge, and be more spontaneously able to experience and express their feelings. During Theraplay®, caregivers are supported to form a deeper emotional connection
with their child, become attuned to their child’s state and are shown how to be responsive and help their child regulate
What does it involve?
Families participate in Theraplay® for 18-22 weekly sessions where activities are initially led by the therapist. Over time, caregivers are guided to lead session activities with minimal support.
The sessions are designed to be fun, physical, personal, and interactive and replicate the natural, healthy interactions between parents and young children. Sessions are video recorded so that parent and therapist can review together at specific time points, reflecting and celebrating goals achieved and progress made.
Through guided play children are supported to see relationships with their caregiver as safe, predictable, warm and secure. It also assists children to stay regulated as activities are aimed within a child’s window of tolerance. Theraplay® structured activities involve healthy levels of challenge, nurture and engagement tailored to support a child’s social and emotional development.
Make an enquiry to find out more or to book your appointment.
- Adjustment disorder
- Alcohol and/or drug use
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention deficit disorder
- Bereavement & grief
- Body-image issues
- Conduct disorder
- Co-occurring anxiety and depression
- Depression
- Developmental disorders
- Eating disorders
- Emotion regulation difficulties
- Family conflict
- Giftedness
- Learning difficulties
- Parenting difficulties
- Perfectionism
- Posttraumatic stress
- Relationship issues
- Sexuality & gender identity
- Sleep problems
- Study related stress, study skills & procrastination
