Child Therapy, Play Therapy, & Parent Skill Training
For children and adolescents, the most meaningful progress happens when we balance two key elements: working directly with the child, and actively involving their parents. This collaborative approach allows us to utilise the powerful bond between you and your child to reinforce positive strategies at home. Simultaneously, it provides a safe, confidential space just for the child. This gives them the dedicated room they need to process their challenges, express themselves openly, and build authentic independence.
What is Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
Children don’t always have the vocabulary to explain complex emotions like anxiety, grief, or frustration. Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) allows children to use play, which is their natural form of communication, to express their thoughts, process difficult experiences, and develop emotional regulation. In a safe, supportive environment, CCPT helps children build self-esteem, improve behavioural issues, and learn how to manage big feelings without needing to articulate them perfectly.
How can psychological therapy works?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
For older children and adolescents, CBT is highly effective in helping them identify unhelpful thought patterns, develop practical coping strategies, shift unhelpful behaviours, and manage anxiety, depression, or stress.
Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
For children, child centered play therapy bridges the communication gap, allowing them to work through behavioural and emotional challenges safely and comfortably and in a developmentally appropriate way.
Parent Skill Training
Therapy doesn't end when the session is over. I work collaboratively with parents, providing you with actionable, evidence-based strategies to support your child's emotional development, manage challenging behaviours at home, and strengthen your family dynamic.
If your child is exhibiting persistent behavioural changes, school refusal, intense tantrums, withdrawal from friends, or struggling to regulate their emotions, it may be time to seek professional support. Early intervention through child therapy can provide them with the tools they need to navigate these challenges before they escalate.
I provide psychological support and therapy for children aged 6 and older, as well as adolescents. The therapeutic approach, whether it is Play Therapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is specifically adapted to suit your child’s developmental stage.
Yes, parental involvement is a crucial part of the process, especially for younger children. Parent Skill Training equips you with evidence-based strategies to manage challenging behaviours, reinforce the coping skills your child learns in therapy, and strengthen your parent-child connection at home.
Absolutely. School-related challenges such as academic stress, bullying, social anxiety, and learning difficulties are common reasons parents seek child therapy. We work on building resilience, social skills, and practical coping mechanisms to help your child feel confident and thrive in the school environment.
Online therapy is a highly effective, accessible option for families across Australia. For teenagers, online CBT sessions work similarly to in-person therapy. For younger children, telehealth often focuses heavily on Parent Skill Training, empowering you to facilitate therapeutic strategies directly in your child’s daily environment.
The timeframe varies depending on the specific challenges and goals of your child. Some targeted issues may show improvement in just a few sessions, while deeper emotional or behavioural concerns may require longer-term support. We will discuss a recommended treatment plan after our initial appointment and regularly review progress together.
Confidentiality is a core component of building trust in therapy. For adolescents, privacy is strictly maintained. With younger children, I balance confidentiality with necessary parental involvement, ensuring parents are kept informed about treatment progress and strategies without breaking the child’s trust.
Booking is simple. You can contact me directly through the enquiry form below or email me to schedule an initial appointment at a time that works for your family.
Tailored Therapy Experience
I’m proud to extend therapy services both in person at my Griffin office, and online.
With training in CBT, CCPT, ACT, EMDR, and other evidence-based therapeutic techniques, I am dedicated to delivering compassionate and effective support tailored to your specific challenges.
Get in touch
Reach out today to schedule your first appointment. Email directly or fill out the form below.
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