Queensland Institute of Play Therapy

12/10/2025

Play is a child's natural language—it's how they process emotions, heal, and communicate what they can't put into words.

We have limited spots for our upcoming Introduction to Play Therapy Workshop 13-16 October.

Head to our website to learn more!

11/10/2025

🌻 Advanced Play Therapy Workshop 🌻
Deepen your practice. Strengthen your presence - trust yourself.

This 3-day advanced training is for play therapists ready to:

💥 Tune into the body’s wisdom
💥 Harness relational presence for deeper healing
💥 Step into confidence with children and parents
💥 Become the grounded, attuned therapist children can borrow safety and regulation from.

Head to our website to learn more.

09/10/2025

Today is Global Mental Health Day. If you are navigating a difficult season, please reach out. We believe in the power of professional support and connection to foster healing and hope. You don't have to carry the weight alone.

Immediate support: Lifeline 13 11 14.

07/10/2025

Why Play Therapy?
👉 Children don’t always have words, but they always have play.
👉 Play therapy helps children process trauma safely.
👉 Play builds resilience, self-regulation, and connection.
👉 You can train to become the safe space children need.

Curious about training in play therapy? DM us with your questions.

06/10/2025

🌿 End of Term 3 Reflections 🌿

What an incredible Term 3 — especially September! 💛

I had the privilege of teaching Workshop 4 to our 2025 cohort — four days of deep learning, connection, and integration. Then off to Sydney for three inspiring days with Lisa Dion on The Business of Therapy — and such a joy to connect with our QIPT students there!

The following weekend, we gathered for the Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy, with so many QIPT faces in the room. Saturday night’s dinner was such a highlight — community, laughter, and shared purpose.

We also hosted a QIPT Open Night, and it was so wonderful to meet prospective students and share the heart of what we do. A big thank you to all past QIPT students who attended — your support is both valuable and deeply appreciated. 💫

To top it off, the Supervision Workshop was a beautiful 3.5 days of reflection and growth as play therapists stepped into their next chapter as supervisors.

Now we’re moving into Term 4, welcoming our 2026 cohort next week for the Introduction to Play Therapy, and preparing the 2025 cohort for their final workshop!

And to finish the year, don’t miss the Advanced Play Therapy Workshop in December, with Lisa Dion and Clair Mellenthin joining us on the 2nd & 3rd. It’s going to be another transformative, heart-centered 3 days.

Feeling so much gratitude for this community, this work, and the journey we share. 🌸
Here’s to a wonderful Term 4 ahead!

06/10/2025

A little sneak peek into some of our workshop art supplies.

Art-based therapy taps into the creative minds of children, offering them a powerful way to express feelings and thoughts they may struggle to put into words. Through drawing, painting, and crafting, children can explore emotions, reduce stress, and process experiences in a safe, supportive environment.

🖌️✨ Art opens up a world of self-expression and healing, allowing children to communicate and grow emotionally at their own pace.

Head to our website to learn more!

06/10/2025

Queensland Institute of Play Therapy -

What a busy and beautiful Term 3 it has been — especially September! As I look back, I’m filled with so much gratitude for the incredible learning, connection, and community that unfolded over these past few months.

05/10/2025

Q: Why do play therapists use a tray of sand?

A: Because sometimes, the most important stories are told without a single word.

The sand tray allows children to:
🌻 Show, not just tell, what’s happening on the inside.
🌻 Safely explore complex feelings like fear, anger, or joy.
🌻 Feel grounded and calm through the sensory experience of the sand.

It’s a powerful tool that helps us understand a child’s world, from their perspective.

30/09/2025

Happy International Coffee Day! ☕ To our fellow therapists and students: grab your coffee! Today’s reminder is that effective play therapy requires a grounded, well-regulated professional. Prioritize your own self-care before holding space for others.

29/09/2025

A well-stocked playroom isn't just a bonus—it's an essential tool for effective play therapy. It provides children with the language they need to express themselves when words aren't enough. From sand trays and art supplies to puppets and building blocks, each item is a tool for communication and healing. A diverse range of toys allows the child to take the lead, explore their inner world, and process their experiences in a way that feels natural and safe.

28/09/2025

At QIPT and Blooming Heart Therapy, Plato's wisdom, "Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play," is central to our philosophy.

Simply put, forcing learning creates resistance; play sparks true engagement. We champion:

☀️ Intrinsic Motivation: Fostering a natural love for discovery.

☀️ Deeper Understanding: Play makes complex ideas accessible.

☀️ Reduced Stress: A safe space for growth and mistakes.

☀️ Holistic Development: Building vital social, emotional, and creative skills.

We empower children to learn joyfully. Play is our cornerstone for compassionate, effective growth.

27/09/2025

A wonderful morning co-presenting with Rosie Newman from for our final day of the Play Therapy Supervision workshop. 🫶