Play Therapy
With Grace Therapy‘s Social worker, Paige Hicks is an Associate Play Therapist registered with the Australian Play Therapists Association and provides play therapy with children of all ages.
Play therapy is a form of therapy that uses play to help children express their emotions, thoughts and experiences.
Play is a child’s natural way of communicating and through play therapy, trained therapists can work with children to understand and address emotional or behavioural issues they may be facing.
Benefits of Play therapy:
- Assisting the development of coping and self-regulation strategies; increasing self-control / impulse control.
- Building skills for abstract thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving
- Increase internal sense of self, relational trust, and communication skills.
- Increase self-awareness around thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
- Process and integrate traumatic experiences through play, art and/or symbolic expression
- Reduce intensity and frequency of behavioural outbursts (meltdowns, behaviours of concerns, pain-based behaviours).
Play Therapy Brisbane
Play therapy is a highly effective counselling approach that works with children by tapping into their natural, creative, and non-verbal abilities. It is an evidence-based method that is developmentally appropriate for younger clients.
In play therapy, children are able to express their inner and external experiences through play, which helps them build insight and resilience.
This approach enables children to regulate their emotions, communicate their feelings, and practice new coping skills. Children can use play therapy to develop a sense of mastery over challenging situations and learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
Overall, play therapy is an empowering and valuable tool for counselling young clients.
Children may benefit from play therapy experiencing:
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Behaviour and emotional issues
- Communication difficulties
- Difficulties with self-regulation
- Difficulty engaging with other therapies
- Grief and loss
- Family Separation
- Trauma
Frequently Asked Questions For Play Therapy
Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate form of therapy that allows children to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play rather than words. It helps children process emotions, develop coping skills, and make sense of the world around them in a safe and supported space.
Children may benefit from play therapy if they are:
- Struggling with anxiety, anger, or emotional outbursts
- Adjusting to separation, loss, or changes at home
- Showing signs of trauma or developmental stress
- Having difficulty with friendships or behaviour at school
- Navigating neurodivergence (e.g. autism, ADHD) or social challenges
If you’re unsure, feel free to contact our team to talk through your concerns to see if play therapy is right for you.
In sessions, your child will have access to a variety of play materials (toys, art, sensory items) that support expression and exploration. Our trained therapists observe and gently guide the process, helping your child work through feelings, experiences, and challenges at their own pace.
We work closely with parents and caregivers to support a child’s progress. In some cases, parents attend parts of sessions, or we schedule regular parent-only check-ins. We’ll talk with you about the best approach for your child’s age and goals.
Play therapy is most often used with children aged 3 to 12, but creative and expressive therapies can be adapted for teens and even adults. The core principle is meeting each person at their developmental level.
Our therapists are qualified mental health professionals with additional training in child development and play-based interventions. Many are trained in modalities such as child-centred play therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy™, and trauma-informed practice.
Medicare rebates with a valid mental health care plan may be available. With Grace Therapy is also a registered NDIS Provider.
That’s completely okay. Play therapy is designed for children who may not have the words to express complex emotions. Play becomes the language, and the therapist helps create a sense of safety and trust.
Yes, our approach is neuroaffirming and inclusive. We work with children across a range of developmental stages and needs, adjusting sessions to meet sensory, communication, and emotional requirements.
Contact us to find out more
With Grace Therapy currently provides Play Therapy at our Kedron clinic. Seeking further information on Play therapy? Wanting to book an appointment? Please contact us below.
