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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm

http://www.thrivetherapeuticplay.com.au/, http://linktr.ee/thrivetherapeuticplay

Thrive Therapeutic Play + Family Support, Hewett (2025)

14/02/2024

Hello, hello happy Wednesday! Tonight, I’m so excited to (finally) share something I’ve been in love with since I started practising as a social worker: Therapeutic Life Story Work.

While it might sound formal, it is really about something incredibly important and powerful: storytelling.

I love to hear the stories of others and if you’ve followed me for a while you’ve probably noticed I also enjoy sharing my own 🙈

We all have stories that shape us, guide us, and sometimes they can hold us back. But what if there are gaps in your story? What if you’re missing crucial pieces?

Therapeutic Life Story Work is about putting together those pieces. It’s most often used within child protection to help children understand and learn more about their family, their identity, and their past experiences, but its essence is something all of us can relate to.

Understanding where we’ve been is crucial in navigating where we’re going. It’s about seeing ourselves as the main character in a story that we have the power to influence and, to some extent, rewrite.

I’m so proud and excited to be making this work available to more children in South Australia and I already only have a handful of places left for this year!

I’ll be sharing more about what it all looks like over the coming weeks but I’d love to know, how much time have you given to thinking about your own story?

11/12/2023

Christmas is literally around the corner (actually 14 sleeps away…) so here’s the details about what will be happening at Thrive over the Christmas period🎄🎅🏼

🎄I’ll be pressing the pause button and taking some time out to reflect, reset and recharge. Thrive will be in holiday mode from 5pm on Friday 22nd December until we’re back in action on Monday 8th January.

🎄Got questions? Send them through via email or DM. I’ll be peeking at messages now and then so I won’t leave you hanging! Response times may be a little slower than usual.

🎄Bookings for 2024: If you’re thinking about play therapy sessions for 2024 please reach out, we have a handful of vacancies for the new year.

🎄I’m such a planner and a dreamer so I’ll be using the break to dive into some deep thinking and planning. We have an exciting new service commencing in February (amongst other new things) and I’ll be sharing more about this when I’m back fully on board on January.

Sending lots of calm, chill, holiday cheer your way in the lead up to Christmas! 🎄🎅🏼

28/11/2023

Facing school refusal battles?

It’s more common than you think, and it’s exactly what we’re here to help with.

At Thrive, we use play therapy to ease school anxiety. No overwhelming techniques, just a supportive space where your child can learn to manage the school day challenges.

Why choose us? Because we understand these challenges inside and out, and we’re committed to transforming anxiety into confidence, at the speed determined by your child, one session at time.

Watch as they tackle each day with new confidence.

24/11/2023

Those big emotions 😣.

Learning to manage them is a key part of child development, but when they start overwhelming your child and affecting their daily life, it's time to consider support.

Play therapy at Thrive offers a space to discover and practice new strategies at their own pace, focusing on long-term growth, not quick fixes.

Reach out via DM or email hello@thrivetherapeuticplay.com.au for more information or book online via our website.

22/11/2023

Did you know the relationship between the parent and a child is the most powerful mental health intervention known?

It’s in the way you understand a particular look on their face, a gesture, or when something just isn’t right. It’s the trust that builds when you’re the damsel in distress being rescued by your child and their Paw Patrol heroes in the lounge room, or the safe space you create when they share the good and the bad from their day.

No one knows your child better than you. And that’s incredibly powerful.

21/11/2023

Ever thought of play as your secret weapon in parenting?

You may have heard me say before you don’t need to spend hours each day playing with your kids, which I firmly believe, but sometimes when our kids are struggling creating a bit of space to spend 30-60 minutes playing with them let’s them know that you’re there and ready to listen.

It’s an absolute gold opportunity for connecting, especially when we sit back and let them take the lead!

20/11/2023

Let's clear these right up!

A lot of what I hear about play therapy just isn't true. Yes, it involves really trusting our kids in leading the way, but that does not make it any less effective than more traditional therapies.

Swipe left to debunk some myths you might have heard. From the misconception that it's 'just playing' to doubts about its impact across different ages. Play therapy is so much more than how it looks from the outside. It's about creating a space where children can freely express themselves, explore emotions, and develop coping strategies – all with the support of a skilled therapist!

17/10/2023

When I left the polling booth on Saturday, I got teary.

I felt so incredibly proud to be involved in such an iconic moment in history, I said to my husband when I got home, this will be one of the things I tell the girls about when they’re older - that we voted on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and giving them a say on matters that affect them.

Oh, how wrong I was. When I checked my phone during dinner I was completely stunned at how the results were tracking. But then when I thought about it, I had not asked a single member of my family how they were going to vote. My husband and I had talked about it at length, playing devils advocate, considering different perspectives and “what ifs”. Perhaps my carefully curated circle of likeminded friends and the “knows me inside out” Instagram algorithm hid the realities of the debate more than I realised.

As a Social Worker I was taught and had to work at over many, many years being resilient and unaffected in the face of social injustices. And I saw many. Which doesn’t mean that I learnt to ignore them, but equally it doesn’t mean that I let them consume me to the point I can’t achieve any outcome. It means I learnt how to take a step back and think about how I can best help with the resources, skills and strengths I have.

So where do we go from here? At Thrive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will always be welcome. We recognise the knowledge, wisdom and deep connection, and how crucial these elements are to all and any work we do with children. We will continue to talk, learn and utilise the knowledge and wisdom that First Nations people bring and look for innovative opportunities to support children together.

For me personally, it’s realising that its okay to have discussions that might be a little bit hard or uncomfortable. We can express our views and beliefs and respectfully listen to those of others with curiosity and kindness.

The next steps will be different for everyone and that is okay. If you haven’t had a chance to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart yet, it is a great place to start (link in bio). Our work and conversations don’t end here.

15/10/2023

I did the thing you're not supposed to do... I just stopped posting.

I know, I know, big no no. But the thing is, I'm a social worker first and foremost, and this social media thing... totally winging it. And that’s a little scary, because in my work, winging it hasn't been a favourable option. Not when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of little people.

So, I spent my time off over the school holidays really reflecting on my work, my messaging and developing a bit more of plan across all areas of Thrive. There’s lots ahead to look forward to and that starts tomorrow with heading back into the office after taking the school holidays off to spend with my family.

It was so important to me transitioning into private practice that I enjoy going to work again and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I'm not filled with the Sunday night dread about what awaits me at work after two weeks off!

Who else is looking forward to school and work going back tomorrow?

13/09/2023

We currently offer Play Therapy and Filial Therapy for children, parents and caregivers in our therapy rooms in Hewett, South Australia. Both types of sessions are 45 minutes each and best held on a weekly basis.

Prior to commencing sessions, we will meet for a 90 minute initial assessment to discuss your child and/or family's needs, history and provide a thorough overview of the process and what you can expect.

All sessions can be booked online when it suits you best. We are currently available for sessions Monday - Wednesday.

The therapeutic relationship is extremely important in our work, so if you're not sure if we're the right fight you can book a free 15 minute phone consultation online via our booking platform or have a chat with us via DM or email at hello@thrivetherapeuticplay.com.au.

07/09/2023

Five red flags for anxiety.

A level of anxiety in our kids is normal and a part of development. Separation anxiety for instance is TOTALLY normal and expected to begin around 8-10 months of age and continue on and off until around 3 years of age.

So, when does anxiety in kids become concerning?

Here are 5 red flags that indicate it might be time to seek some extra support.

Any questions? Pop them in the comments below.

05/09/2023

What’s behind the name?

How do you capture in a name the feeling of helping children and families, whilst also highlighting the very best outcomes for clients?

Thrive was born from the most loved parts of Emma’s career to date but most significantly, the warm, fuzzy feeling Emma has when it is evident a child or family is truly thriving. It’s the end goal.

And “Therapeutic Play + Family Support”? There’s lots to come in the future and maybe this will stay the same, maybe it won’t, but for now it best captures the very nature of our play therapy sessions and plans for new services in the near future.

It is Emma’s wish to support families in identifying when it might be time to seek further support for mental health and provide an accessible and non-intimidating trauma therapy practice with approachable specialists.

04/09/2023

Anxiety isn’t always harmful. It is a great way for our bodies to identify danger, our limits and boundaries and is a great tool for performance!

Anxiety can however become a problem when it impacts daily functioning and prevents us from attending events or doing things we would normally enjoy doing.

If anxiety is starting to feel a bit tricky in your household reach out for a chat via DM or book a free 15 minute phone consult (link in bio) to see how we can help.

31/08/2023

Emma is a registered Social Worker, certified Play Therapist and the owner of Thrive. She is also a Mum of two girls and when she’s not working on or at Thrive, she can be found screenshotting ambitious DIY projects, reading on her Kindle or trying to capture the perfect photo.

Whilst travelling in her (very) early 20’s, Emma took a short term role in Vietnam supporting orphaned children who had been affected by Agent Orange. Having had no prior experience working with children, Emma instantly fell in love with the resilience, spirit and cheekiness of this group of kids who had experienced so much adversity. She instantly knew that working with children needed to be in her future.

Upon returning, she graduated from her psychology degree and began working as a youth worker with children living in residential care. Emma was lucky to have worked with so many skilled professionals during this time, but one in particular - a psychologist using play therapy to repair a ruptured relationship between a father and his children – peaked Emma’s curiosity. Feeling frustrated with the child protection system and wanting to be involved in making change on a higher level, Emma completed her Masters in Social Work at Flinders University.

Over the next decade Emma worked as a Social Worker in child protection across various metropolitan offices in Adelaide. She became most passionate about supporting children and families to repair relationships and begin healing from trauma in the context of child abuse and neglect. Moving into leadership roles, she also became incredibly passionate about supporting staff and leading in unique ways to promote positive wellbeing, knowing that in turn this led to better outcomes for clients.

It wasn’t until Emma went on maternity leave with her first daughter and immersed herself in the slower pace of the newborn bubble, that she realised she had significant symptoms of vicarious trauma. After months of reflection, Emma knew she couldn’t return to her previous role and remembering the fascination with play therapy from earlier in her career, she decided to complete further training in play therapy and ultimately open her own private practice.

30/08/2023

Defining trauma types can get a little tricky as they tend to overlap and intertwine!

Whether it happened to you directly, you witnessed it happen to someone else or heard about something happening to someone you know, if symptoms are becoming more frequent and intense it might be time to seek help.

For more information about trauma you can visit our blog via the link in bio.

We’re always happy to chat - you can reach us via DMs or at hello@thrivetherapeuticplay.com.au

29/08/2023

Anxiety is becoming increasingly common amongst children, with separation anxiety the most prevalent.

On average 1 in 14 children experience an anxiety related disorder, compared to 1 in 6 adults.

You can read more about anxiety, symptoms and support strategies in this week’s blog. Link in bio.

28/08/2023

The whole body can be impacted in various ways by trauma.

Traumatic experiences cause the body to release stress hormones, which is completely normal and helps us enter fight or flight mode in order to protect ourselves.

When we experience ongoing stress as a result of unprocessed trauma or repeated traumatic experiences, areas of the brain begin to change. These changes result in physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural symptoms and can exacerbate the onset of anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.

Physical symptoms can of course have multiple causes, however if symptoms are persistent, have increased in frequency and are impacting daily functioning, please consider reaching out for support via a GP and/or a mental health professional.

If you think Thrive might be a good fit for your child you can contact us by email at hello@thrivetherapeuticplay.com.au, alternatively you can book in free 15 minute phone consultation for a chat about your child’s needs via the link in our bio.

24/08/2023

Separation anxiety. Ouch. 😣Tugs at all the heart strings doesn’t it?

Here’s 5 things you can try to make the separation easier:
1️⃣ Prepare and familarise – prepare for the separation by talking about what it will look like, reading books about separating and familiarise with the environment, if possible, by visiting or looking at photos.
2️⃣ Empathise, acknowledge and validate their feelings – acknowledge their feelings rather than trying to distract them, e.g. “I know it makes you sad when Mummy leaves.”
3️⃣ Explain what will happen and when you will see them next – e.g. “Mummy is going to drop you off at kindy this morning, you’ll have lunch there today and then Daddy will pick you up. Mummy will see you at home for dinner.”
4️⃣ Keep the goodbye short and similar each time you separate – this could include a kiss, a cuddle, an “I love you”, a familiar phrase/saying or a special gesture.
5️⃣ Stay calm! Calmy and confidently let them know you are leaving – kids are very good at picking up on our feelings! Showing that you are confident in leaving them helps them feel safe. (Bawling in the car on your own afterwards is perfectly okay though, we’re still human🤣).

Separation anxiety is a normal part of development however, if separation anxiety is feeling overwhelming or impacting family functioning reach out to a health care provider or allied health professional for support.

Thrive Therapeutic Play + Family Support