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Psychology and Play Therapy Australia

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Hobart, TAS
Psychology and Play Therapy Australia

Psychology and Play Therapy Australia delivers supervision, training and consultancy services Australia-wide and internationally.

Our clinical services are based in Hobart, Tasmania, and available to those in other states by mutual arrangement.

16/03/2026

SHAME BECOMES IDENTITY

Children experience a natural vulnerability for SHAME as they develop their self-concept due to their developmental sensitivities.

For example, the egocentric nature of their cognition means they have a tendency to attribute things that happen to themselves – i.e. they experience SHAME.

We see this often in children who have experienced parental separation – a child who attributes this to something they have done wrong or because “I am naughty”.

Shame is an intense affective state that can be moved through……HOWEVER…..

Cumulative experiences of shame can being to shape development of their self-concept and their relationship with self.

For these children, their self-concept becomes based in shame.

“I’m bad”
“I’m naughty”
“I’m unloveable”
“I’m not good enough”

And these shame-based self-beliefs become the lenses of the glasses through which they move through their days.

No wonder school and learning can be so hard for these children!

Supporting a child’s healthy development of self is essential for their overall health and wellbeing.

15/03/2026

Let me explain about what we have upcoming in the supervision space.

If you’re an existing supervisor or an aspiring supervisor, we have options for you!

Visit our website to get access to all of these trainings: https://www.psychologyandplay.com.au/training

14/03/2026

A few days ago we posted about SHAME vs. GUILT, and the difference between them. If you missed that post - scroll back and take a look!

Below are some examples of shame-based negative self-schemas.

They are easily identified in children through statements they make about themselves which often occur during day-to-day activities and therapy sessions.

Can you identify any in the children you are working with?

13/03/2026

*FRIDAY FUNNY**

12/03/2026

**SHIELD OF SHAME**

Children, particularly young children, are so vulnerable to the negative impacts of shame states simply because of their developmental stage - their thinking (i.e. cognition) is still very egocentric, meaning that the world revolves around "me".

SHAME is experienced in the context of self-concept, and often leads to negative self-attribution - e.g. I'm bad, I'm not good enough, I'm horrible for making that happen etc.

In attempting to protect themselves from the big feelings associated with shame, children often engage in one of the following adaptive responses – Lie, Minimise, Deny, or Rage.

The “ Shield of Shame” (Dan Hughes)

So remember, when working with children who present with such behaviours, always consider whether the child might be experiencing shame states, and engaging their Shield of Shame for self-protection.

And then our therapeutic responses can follow from what we discover about this.

11/03/2026

We have a number of Play Therapy Supervisor training events coming up - both for those who are current supervisors and those who want to become supervisors.

For those looking to become a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, the 4 Day Play Therapy Supervisor Training meets the supervisor training component which forms part of the requirements with the following Play Therapy Associations:
👉🏻Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
👉🏻Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) or
👉🏻Play Therapy Practitioners Association of Australia (PTPA)

Take a look at the 4 Day Play Therapy Supervisor Training here: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/G3UaRDja/checkout

There are also three options available for current Play Therapy supervisors - including a BRAND NEW training that meets APTA Supervisor Membership Renewal requirements.

The brand new training is the 3-hour Play Therapy Supervisor Masterclass: Play Therapy Supervision During Times of Change, which has just been released to run on 29th May 2026.

Learn more and register here: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/JWsFiK4F/checkout

For those wanting to upskill with another robust supervision model, there is ‘Child at the Centre: Supervision for Working with Children’ and ‘Balancing the Tightrope: A Brain-Based, Relationship-Oriented Approach to Supervision’.

Balancing the Tightrope is particularly ideal for those leading a group private practice or managing a team within an NGO.

These two PsyBA-Approved Supervisor Training Masterclasses are for both Play Therapy supervisors and Psychology Board Approved supervisors.

Child at the Centre: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/KFXErc5F/checkout

Balancing the Tightrope: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/2Z28zucs/checkout

10/03/2026

**SHAME VS GUILT**

Did you know that it is a normal part of human development to develop feelings of shame and guilt?

In fact, development of shame actually emerges in children before guilt, and adult responses during this time help children to develop an understanding of guilt, and how this is different from shame.

So, what's the difference?

One way to think about SHAME is that it is situated in the context of self-concept, and often leads to negative self-attribution - e.g. I'm bad, I'm not good enough, I'm horrible for making that happen etc.

Alternatively, a way to think about GUILT is situated in the context of understanding behaviour, and helps to distinguish appropriate from inappropriate behaviour - e.g. What I did was not OK....it's my behaviour that's not OK, not me.

09/03/2026

🦋 NEW LIVE PLAY THERAPY SUPERVISOR MASTERCLASS 🦋

Register now for the training event ‘Play therapy supervision during times of change’ on 29th May 2026.

This Play Therapy Supervisor Masterclass is designed for all Registered Play Therapist Supervisors.

Additionally, this training meets the specific requirements for those wishing to renew their Registered Play Therapist Supervisor membership with the Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA).

Play Therapy finds itself in significant times of change in Australia…

Changes to Federal and State government policies and funding models in mental health, disability and education sectors…

Changes to Federal government regulatory frameworks and national standards, particularly for play therapists whose primary professions are psychology or counselling…

Changes to play therapy association membership requirements.

Supervisees are stressed.
Supervisors are stressed…and doing their best to support their supervisees, but often without any formal training in change management to anchor to.

This unique play therapy supervisor masterclass is so very timely!

Join our Director, Katherine Olejniczak, one of Australia’s leading play therapist supervisors and supervisor trainers. With 25 years of management and leadership experience in the field navigating government policy changes across the private, government and non-government sectors, she will support you in supervising and leading through these times of change.

And of course, play-based learning experiences will be included!

👉🏻 Friday 29th May, 2026
👉🏻 1:00pm - 4:00pm AEST
👉🏻 Held ONLINE, attend LIVE or via the recording afterwards

Learn more and register now: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/JWsFiK4F/checkout

08/03/2026

A few days ago I shared a post around what we’ll cover in the first two days of the 3 Day Sandplay and Clay Therapy Immersive - the sandplay portion.

On the final day, we will be turning our attention to clay therapy.

I will be introducing you to a different theoretical approach to the use of clay.

We will particularly focus on a Gestalt Therapy approach to the use of clay in therapy, and I will offer you some different techniques that you may be able to use with your clients.

Of course, I'm going to throw in some neuroscience along the way, because that is also one of my favourites!

The more that we're able to experience the process and the materials ourselves, the greater a depth of understanding that we can take to the client work that we are integrating these mediums into.

Learn more about the 3 Day Sandplay and Clay Therapy Immersive and register here: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/Ns5iF5bA/checkout

07/03/2026

**THERAPIST REFLECTION PROMPT**

In your play therapy training, did you do any specific experiential activities using the sand tray and using clay? If so, what did you learn about the process of therapy?

If you’ve missed this part of your play therapy training or you want to deepen the experiences that you’ve had, then register for the 3 Day Sandplay and Clay Therapy Immersive. It’s a highly personally immersive which leads to the greatest learnings in the work that we do!

Learn more and register: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/Ns5iF5bA/checkout

06/03/2026

**FRIDAY FUNNY**
Some are excited the football just started again.....and others of us are hanging out until tomorrow for the final season of Outlander!

05/03/2026

Let me share why I created the 3 Day Sandplay and Clay Therapy Immersive…

When we have multiple theoretical frameworks and multiple ways of understanding what a child’s sandplay or clay play may represent, we can take a more expanded view of the child.

We have the potential to better understand the child, rather than being limited by one or two theoretical models.

This immersive will introduce participants to a particular sandplay therapy model and a particular clay therapy approach that enhances how they make sense of what’s happening for the child in the room.

It adds greater richness to what they’re able to share with the adults, or others they report to (such as NDIS).

Learn more about the 3 Day Sandplay and Clay Therapy Immersive and register here: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/Ns5iF5bA/checkout

Address

Hobart, TAS

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Telephone

+61361693104

Website

http://www.psychologyandplay.com.au/

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