After many of teaching in special education, I thought to myself "there must be more I can do to help support the mental health of my students". I completed my graduate certificate in Play Therapy at Charles Darwin University and then went on to complete my graduate diploma in child, youth and family counseling at USQ. I am currently enrolled in a master's of counseling at USQ. I am currently teaching 4 days a week however I am able to offer appointments on Mondays and am negotiable over the weekend. Depending on the needs of the child sessions go for 30 to 45 minutes. Before the child begins their sessions I would meet with you to listen to your concerns and to work with you to develop goals for therapy. During this time I would also be able to provide you information about the play therapy process and what to expect. I firmly believe that in order to support your child we need to work together as a team. Child Centred Play Therapy is a process where the child chooses objects, symbols, or types of play to express their inner concerns or work through particular problems. In Play Therapy the child uses the whole self (mind & body) to express unconscious thoughts, fears, anxieties and wishes, etc., which helps them process or resolve “stuck” thoughts and feelings. This often happens in subtle ways, with effects noticed in the child’s daily functioning. The Play Room is viewed as the child’s “kingdom” where they are free to explore and express themselves through various mediums such as fantasy play, sandplay, puppets and miniatures. The toys are carefully selected to offer an opportunity to engage the child’s imagination and express various feeling states and experiences. For example, both symbolically aggressive and passive toys are available for the child to select in their play. Child Centred play therapy can potentially support children to develop:
- empathy towards others.
- self respect.
- social skills.
- an understanding of emotions and emotional regulation skills.
- the alleviation of anxiety.
- coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
- confidence in themselves. I am a creative person with a deep love of nature and the outside world. I attempt to incorporate as many natural elements as I can into the playroom. I have approximately 20 years of experience in special education and have a good understanding of communication devices such as PODD, Proloqo2go and symbols. I have extensive experience in behavior strategies and am deeply empathetic toward the child and their needs. I am able to do home visits if your child is more comfortable there. I am currently practicing from a home studio and have wheelchair access. I do not however have changing facilities available. Feel free to contact me by email, text, or phone. During school hours I am not always able to answer but I will return your call as soon as possible. I am able to take NDIS plans for self-managed and plan-managed clients.
