Heart of Play

Heart of Play Play and Creative Therapy for children and adolescents, Parent-Child relationship and Family support Life can hurt. Play can heal. Play can brighten our day!

Play is so important in our lives. Play enables us to have fun, connect with others, stimulate creativity, regulate emotions and encourage the development of skills. Non-directive (or Child-Centred) Play Therapy helps children to work through issues using their natural form of expression, play. Just as an adult would talk to a counsellor or therapist, children can use items in the play room to work through problems at their own pace. As a therapist I accept all children as they are, with unconditional positive regard. This creates a safe space in which the child can express themselves using arts and crafts, music, puppets, dress-ups, stories, movement, clay and sandtray. A child may benefit from as little as 12 Play Therapy sessions however longer-term intervention maybe required depending on the child's history. Sessions are on a weekly basis at the same time. Missed appointments may disrupt the therapeutic progress. Play therapy can help children through:
*Attachment and bonding issues
*Grief and loss
*Behavioural and emotional issues
*Separation/ divorce
*Bullying
*Anxiety
*Depression
*Domestic Violence
*Foster and Adoption
*Trauma and Abuse
*Social and Academic issues
*Sleeping and eating
*Bed wetting
*Disability and illness
*Life changes

Parents and carers also play a huge role in supporting the child through their process of change. This can be facilitated further by learning the skills of non-directive/ child-led play to incorporate it in your parenting activities. Filial Play coaching sessions are offered to parents and carers. If you have or know of a child or family who could benefit from this service or for further information on Play Therapy, Filial Play Coaching or Family Support please do not hesitate to call. Heart of Play is a mobile service and will consider all areas across Sydney.

Thinking of all women on Mothers Day 💕🌼💕🌼💕
11/05/2025

Thinking of all women on Mothers Day 💕🌼💕🌼💕

A very poignant moment of reflection on this post today, given where some of my foster child clients are at. There is no...
06/05/2025

A very poignant moment of reflection on this post today, given where some of my foster child clients are at. There is no such thing as a bad feeling. Allow your child to experience and process sadness, anger etc without deflecting. All emotions are valid 😩🥺🤪😡🫣😃

Kaya Toast for the Soul 💛

28/11/2024
Please sign this to prevent Play and Creative therapies from being cut from the NDIS 🙏🏻
26/11/2024

Please sign this to prevent Play and Creative therapies from being cut from the NDIS 🙏🏻

Why Art and Creative Therapies Matter

Art and creative therapies play a vital role in building healthier, more resilient communities. These evidence-based approaches empower individuals to express emotions, process trauma and find healing through creativity—especially for those who may struggle to communicate in traditional ways.

Let’s be clear: trained art therapists are highly skilled professionals with Masters-level qualifications. They are not “shonky providers” but compassionate clinicians who make a profound difference in people’s lives every day.

While we respect the need for reform within the NDIS, it’s crucial not to dismiss or undervalue therapies that have transformed countless lives. Let’s continue to celebrate and support the incredible work of these therapists, who are essential in helping individuals thrive.

If your child or your life has been positively impacted by creative therapies, please sign the petition https://chng.it/xhzfvsrjBv

11/10/2024

Antioch Center for Play Therapy 💕

This is for all parents and carers ❤️
10/08/2024

This is for all parents and carers ❤️

Sometimes, all a mama really needs ⁣
𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬.⁣

And sometimes, all she needs from you⁣
is to step back and let her shatter.⁣

Because a mama’s job is to keep it together. Herself and everything else, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.⁣

And almost all the time, she does. She 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 for everyone else, but she pulls herself up before she breaks.

She nurtures little people and takes care of all their needs. She manages and juggles so many lives and schedules and details. She balances the family, emotionally and mentally, and senses when the balance is off.⁣

These people are her 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. She loves them more than anything – and she mostly loves her life.⁣

It’s just that it’s all so heavy,⁣

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥. ⁣

So all she needs in a moment like this⁣

is to drop the things she carries.⁣

And then to fall apart herself. ⁣

Because if she gets to shatter? It means she can finally let some of it out… some of the things she’s kept inside. She just needs the grace and the space to process her mess.⁣

So let her break – without making assumptions.⁣

Let her fall apart – without asking if something is “𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨” with her.⁣

Let her be overwhelmed – without giving advice.⁣

Let her cry (and cry some more) – without pitying her.⁣

Let her be 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 today – without worrying she’ll be 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 tomorrow.⁣

And listen… if this mama really isn’t okay tomorrow, or the day after that, or the following week… she needs someone to help her find the resources – without judgment.⁣

Because 𝘴𝘰 many moms will go through something deep and dark and awful at one point or another.⁣

But most of the time, ⁣

all she really needs⁣

is a little chance to break.⁣

✒: Girl, I've Got You
🖼:

28/07/2024

💕 Regulation is not better than dysregulation ....

Anyone else’s child shut down towards the end of term? My neurodivergent child struggles with exhaustion and overwhelm b...
28/06/2024

Anyone else’s child shut down towards the end of term? My neurodivergent child struggles with exhaustion and overwhelm before the holidays and I’ve had to use many calming strategies for both her and myself!

❤️
22/05/2024

❤️

Sharing the sentiments of the amazing Be Centre…
15/04/2024

Sharing the sentiments of the amazing Be Centre…

We understand the impact of the recent events at Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon and want to offer our support and acknowledgment during this time. Whether you've been directly affected or not, the aftermath of such a traumatic event can be significant and may take time to process.

As a community, we may face various challenges in the coming days and weeks:

1. Exposure to distressing stories, images, and videos of violence, injury, and death:

- If your child uses social media, please be mindful of the information circulating rapidly. Consider limiting screen time and monitoring the type of media your family is exposed to, especially during the school holidays.

- Spend quality time with loved ones engaging in activities that promote connection and well-being, such as art, cooking, or outdoor adventures.

2.Managing discussions with children about acts of violence:

- Children may have questions and fears about why such events occur and whether they are safe. These concerns may surface in conversations or through play.

- We encourage you to provide a safe space for children to express their feelings and fears. If needed, we're here to offer guidance and support to navigate these discussions.

The Australian Psychological Society has provided a helpful resource for supporting these conversations, which you can find here: https://ow.ly/gpo550RfTYC

If you or your family encounter specific challenges related to the incident, please reach out to your individual clinician for support or guidance. We remain committed to providing safety and support during uncertain times and will continue to assist our community in any way we can.

Warmly,
Be Centre Foundation Team

There’s so much more to therapy than changing behaviour…
24/03/2024

There’s so much more to therapy than changing behaviour…

Trauma-Informed Parenting...check out this free webinar to learn more about attachment, the nervous system and how we pr...
12/03/2024

Trauma-Informed Parenting...check out this free webinar to learn more about attachment, the nervous system and how we project our own trauma on our children...

5 Steps to Become a Trauma-Informed Parent. Some of the topics to be covered are: Self Soothing & Self Regulation The Development of the Nervous System Attachment vs Authenticity The Drug of Approval Projecting Our Trauma Parent Guilt The Trauma-Informed Parenting Blueprint

Address

Petersham, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+61424891043

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