Psychology and Play Therapy Australia

01/02/2026

**CONGRUENCE ACROSS THE SYSTEM**

In child therapy, we know that the most effective change occurs for children when the adults around them change, bringing different ways of responding to, and supporting them.

We work with the system around a child – parents/caregivers, schools, and other professionals and organisation involvement in care and support of the child and family.

We are often in the role of therapeutic lead to support the system around a child to implement therapeutic approaches individually tailored to the child’s needs.

We aim to bring congruence across the system within which the child lives, learns and plays. This leads to many growth promoting and reparative experiences for the child – the key ingredient required for change.

When we help bring congruence across all levels of the child’s system, they have the opportunity to experience consistency, predictability and safety.

31/01/2026

**WEEKEND WONDERING**
**BACK TO SCHOOL WEEK**

Change and transition go hand in hand.

Promoting a sense of certainty in the space of uncertainty of change supports transitions.

What have children taught you about what supports them to transition through changes?

30/01/2026

**FRIDAY FUNNY**

As we prepare to head back to school.....

Memories of my school days

29/01/2026

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE SOME DOWN-TIME SCHEDULED THIS WEEKEND?

We're a few days into the transition to the new school year. This period is a HUUUUGE time for most children and families!

Bodies and minds run fast and intense with excitement and anxiety.

Children’s sensory systems can be overloaded.

Children (and parents/caregivers) need to rebuild stamina for the school day let alone the whole school week!

It is so easy to get drawn back into the busyness of things as so many other activities also resume for the year.

Yet now is actually the time to be going at a slow and steady pace, giving space to move through the transition period in the way each child/family needs, and rebuild their stamina.

It is so important that children have downtime to rest and recharge.

Time with no scheduling and where they may even feel bored!

So much discovery and creativity can emerge from a place of boredom!

28/01/2026

Across the country children are heading back to school, and as we know, school can be a difficult experience for many.
As child and play therapists, we frequently work closely with a child’s school to deliver specific supports that respond to their unique needs.

Yet many discussions are simply let as that, without actions being clearly documented to ensure all parties have the necessary information to best support the child.

In some states, Individual Education Plans are one attempt to identify a child’s learning needs and adjustments, however they often lack the necessary detail most helpful for a child and the team around them.

This is where Therapeutic Response Plans become so valuable!

In contrast to traditional behaviour management plans, Therapeutic Response Plans promote development and recovery in line with the child’s therapeutic goals. The goal is to extend therapy beyond the therapy room – to create many repetitions of the reparative experiences children require for recovery and/or development.

If you aren’t familiar with how to utilise Therapeutic Response Plans, we have a recorded training event that will give you everything you need.

Learn more and get instant access here: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/SmEzyBLd/checkout

27/01/2026

It’s ‘back to school week’ and I think this could be a timely reminder for some!

A little grace for kids goes a long way.

25/01/2026

25/01/2026

Have you registered for our 4 Day Play Therapy Supervisor Training Program yet?

This competency-based play therapy supervisor training program prepares those who wish to supervise play therapists with the necessary foundations for effective supervision in this unique field of practice.

This play therapy supervisor training program meets the supervisor training component which forms part of the requirements for those wishing to become a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with the following Play Therapy Associations (as at 3/9/25):
👉🏻Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
👉🏻Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) or
👉🏻Play Therapy Practitioners Association of Australia (PTPA)

This supervisor training program is essential for those wishing to supervise play therapists, and for those seeking to become a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with APPTA, APTA and/or PTPA.

Learn more and register: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/xb2RMu6y/checkout

24/01/2026

**WEEKEND WONDERING**

Feedback in supervision involves 2 skills.....the giver needs skills in giving, and the recipient needs skills in receiving.

THERAPIST/SUPERVISEE REFLECTION PROMPT
What has been your journey in your capacity to receive feedback from others?
What were the turning points along your journey?

23/01/2026

** FRIDAY FUNNY **

22/01/2026

I personally find that engaging in my professional development is a form of self-care, because it fuels me, fills me up, and gets my neurons firing and singing!

It promotes this creative part of me, which energises me in the actual client work.

Our professional development is not just something that we *have* to do.

Think about how you can use it strategically to nurture your own self-care in addition to supporting your professional development.

For anyone who wishes to supervise play therapists with the necessary foundations for effective supervision in this unique field of practice, join our 4 Day Pay Therapy Supervisor Training Program!

We begin in June, and the earlybird rate is avialable now.

Learn more and register: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/xb2RMu6y/checkout

Warmest wishes
Katherine
(Director, Psychologist, Play Therapist)

21/01/2026

A sneaky post from Kath's admin support team....
Happy Birthday Kath! 🎂

She's celebrating at a beautiful Tassie beach, but we got our hands on this photo of her previous visit there to share!

We hope the year ahead is a wonderful one for you!