Play and Beyond - Therapy 4 Kids

23/11/2025

✨ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 – 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐎 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞! 🧱💙

We’re gathering interest for a special parent/caregiver–child LEGO session these school holidays!|

👧🧒 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧?

One child + one adult, or
Two children + one adult (siblings welcome!)

Fees are per child only — parents/caregivers attend FREE.

🎉 𝐅𝐔𝐍 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

✨ Team up with your mum, dad, grandparent, or caregiver
✨ Build something amazing together — a dream house, a spaceship, a crazy creature… anything you can imagine!
✨ The goal: teamwork, connection, and creativity!

📵 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

🚫 No phones or technology (yep… that includes parents! 😉)
🚫 No distractions — this is all about YOU and your child working together.

💬 Interested?
Send us a message to register your interest and share preferred days/times.
Spots will be limited!

🌟𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄🌟

**𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑒𝑔𝑜 (𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)

23/11/2025

⭐ 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 – 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧! ⭐
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲, 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬! 🌈

We’re now taking Expressions of Interest for our upcoming LEGO®, Minecraft™, and Creative Creations programs — running these school holidays in Maryborough and Hervey Bay! 💜
Each program runs over 2 or 3 days, with 90-minute to 2-hour sessions designed for small groups.

Children will enjoy a supportive, play-based environment that blends creativity, teamwork, and social skill development — all while having fun!

✨ Build confidence, communication, and connection — one brick, bead or block at a time.

💜 Small group intensives
💙 Affordable for private and NDIS clients
💚 Led by trained facilitators
🧡 Programs will run based on interest — so get in early!

📍 Maryborough & Hervey Bay
🗓️ Limited spots available!

❤️ Our current Minecraft™ program has been a huge hit with kids — receiving amazing feedback from families!
Contact us now to learn more or express your interest!

21/11/2025

🌟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝! 🌟

We’re exploring the idea of a brand-new Children’s Creativity Blog - a fun and inspiring online space where kids can share their artwork, stories, poems, and creative projects made at home (NOT linked to therapy sessions).

Many children love showing others what they’ve created - just imagine their little faces lighting up when they see their masterpiece proudly displayed on a real website! 💛🎨

Where imagination grows and confidence shines!

*𝐸𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 apply*

18/11/2025

🌟 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧! 🌟

This month marks one year since both Elysia and Kerry joined the Play and Beyond team, and what an absolute privilege it has been to have them with us.

As I’ve said many times before, we are so grateful to have therapists who are not only highly skilled, but who genuinely care. These two never treat this work as “just a job.” Their hearts are fully in it ... for every child, every family, every session.

💜 Elysia brings incredible knowledge, creativity, and her wonderful “I’ll give anything a go” attitude. She believes wholeheartedly that every child and family deserves access to therapy and walks alongside them with compassion and strength. She is also my sounding board, my go-to when I need to think something through! (and I’m very grateful she hasn’t pretended to lose service whenever I call!)

💛 Kerry is equally exceptional. Her passion for supporting children and families is unwavering. She advocates fiercely, shows deep empathy, and pours dedication into each child's therapeutic journey. Her commitment shines not only in the room, but in everything she does behind the scenes.

What many people don’t see is the hours of planning, preparation, reflection, and care that go into each session. Both Elysia and Kerry give so much of themselves to ensure every child feels seen, understood, and supported.

We are so lucky to have them as part of Play and Beyond, and we know our families feel the same.

Here’s to the past year… and to many more chapters of working together and making a difference. 💜🌈

16/11/2025

💜 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 & 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 — 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 $𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎!

This program supports families with children experiencing big emotions and challenging behaviours both at home and at school.

Through evidence-based, child-centred Play Therapy and Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), we help children and caregivers heal, grow, and reconnect. 🌈

🧸 It’s not “just play” - though it’s often misunderstood that way in the community.

Play Therapy is a clinically supported, research-backed approach delivered by trained and registered Play Therapists.

While adults process through talking, children process through play - it’s their language for expressing feelings, building trust, and making sense of their world.

Our programs help children:
✨ Regulate emotions & reduce meltdowns
✨ Build confidence & resilience
✨ Strengthen relationships at home & school

This is your last chance to secure one of the remaining funded places.

📩 hello@playandbeyond.com.au | 📞 0478 252 097

Proudly funded by Social Shift in partnership with HBNC.

Eligibility conditions apply.

15/11/2025

💕After chatting with a few parents this week — parents who are exhausted, doing their best but feeling like they’re failing, parents who feel judged or misunderstood, whose mental health is at capacity with nothing left to give — this one’s for you. 💕

And if I’m honest… I’m one of those parents too!

13/11/2025

💜 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 💜

💬 “Men can’t be victims.”
I hear it more often than I should.

The truth is, men can be - and are - victims of domestic and family violence too.
Yes, the statistics show the majority of survivors are women - and I acknowledge that completely.
In fact, I am one of them!

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.

Dismissing male victims would be like saying men can’t get breast cancer - when they absolutely can, and they do.

So when I hear things like:
❌ “Men can’t be victims.”
❌ “But they’re physically stronger.”
❌ “It’s the man who drives the woman to violence.”

It’s not just ignorant - it’s harmful.

This kind of thinking is exactly why so many men never come forward.

I’ve witnessed firsthand a man being a victim.
I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of coercive control used against men - threats of su***de, threats to take away children, controlling who they see, and isolating them from family and friends.
YES, it happens. It really does.

💜 People are victims of family and domestic violence.
PEOPLE.

Everyone deserves safety, respect, and belief regardless of gender.

When we support children and families exposed to family and domestic violence, I can tell you right now - while it’s mostly mothers who reach out, it’s not always.

Let’s stop debating whether men can be victims and start recognising that violence doesn’t discriminate.

Once again, this post isn’t about denying that most survivors are women. I know that, I’ve lived it, and I’ll always acknowledge it.

This post is about 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 - about reminding people that anyone can be affected, and that every survivor deserves to be seen, supported, and believed without fear of criticism or judgment. 💜

12/11/2025

⭐LAST chance to secure one of these final spots!⭐

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥?

💙This fully funded program could be just what they need.
Our Beyond Behaviours Program offers up to 26 FREE Play Therapy sessions for local children and families — that’s nearly $5,000 worth of therapy at no cost!

Play Therapy helps children:
👉Regulate emotions and reduce meltdowns
👉Build confidence and resilience
👉Strengthen relationships at home and school
👉Develop self-expression and communication skills

✨Parents are supported too, through Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) — helping you connect with your child through play, not correction.

If your child is homeschooled due to big behaviours (with plans to return to school), you may be eligible.

If your child is in Kindy and starting Prep next year, you may also qualify.

💜These funded places don’t come up often — and once they’re gone, they’re gone!

11/11/2025

🌈 Looking for a change in the new year?

We’re searching for passionate, dedicated professionals to join our growing Play and Beyond team in 2026! 💫

If you’re a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Psychologist who values a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed approach - we’d love to hear from you!

Our clients are children, young people, and families - and our team is all about collaboration, creativity, and connection. 💜

✨ What we offer:

Sub-contractor role -mostly based in Maryborough with possibly some work in Hervey Bay

Flexible hours – set your own schedule (within reason!)

Supportive, close-knit team environment

Opportunities to grow alongside passionate, like-minded professionals

✅ Requirements:

Minimum Bachelor qualification in your relevant field

Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the appropriate professional body

New graduates are welcome to apply - if you’re still completing final requirements, we’d love to hear from you too!

If this sounds like your kind of role, we’d love to chat!

📩 Email us at hello@playandbeyond.com.au
to learn more or apply.

11/11/2025

🎄 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠…
…𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒!!! 😱

Being the Grinch that I am (please don't judge me!), this is pure torture 😂

And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse — I walk into my room and find a little tree set up in there too!!!

Who else already has their decorations up?!

How is this OK?! 😩🎅

09/11/2025

🌈 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔! 💜

With Elysia adding an extra day next year, we’re thrilled to now have additional availability in Maryborough for:
✨ Play Therapy Sessions
✨ Early Childhood Intervention Support
✨Learn to Play Therapy
✨Child/Parent Relationship Therapy

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy or increasing your child’s sessions, now’s the perfect time to secure a spot before they fill up!

📞 Get in touch with us today to find out more or make a booking.

Because every child deserves the space to play, grow, and thrive. 💜

08/11/2025

📣𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲💬

I usually TRY not to write long posts - I know most people scroll past them - but this one feels important.
Because sometimes, the biggest misunderstandings come from the smallest comments.

🤔After reading a recent article on the “downfall of the NDIS,” I couldn’t help but pause at one comment that said:

“𝐵𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑝-𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦. 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑘𝑖𝑑𝑠 ... 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔?”

It’s comments like this that highlight how misunderstood play therapy still is, and why conversations like this matter.

Every single week, we hear:

“𝑀𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 ... 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑦?”
“𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑦, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒?”
“𝐼’𝑚 𝑎 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑟; 𝐼 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦, 𝑠𝑜 𝐼’𝑚 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑦.”

These are fair questions, but they show how often play therapy is confused with ordinary play.
Play therapy is counselling for children, but instead of using words, children use play.

🤷‍♀️So when people say, “That’s just playing, what a rip-off,” I can’t help but ask…
is adult counselling a rip-off too?

⭐Adults go to therapy to talk through their feelings, make sense of their experiences, and heal from pain. Children simply don’t have the same cognitive or emotional ability to do that with words, so they show us instead.
They act it out, build it, destroy it, rebuild it, hide it, and heal it, all through play.

❤Play therapy isn’t about teaching children how to play. It’s about creating a safe, attuned, and accepting space where their play becomes the language of healing.

💜Through the therapeutic relationship, the therapist listens, reflects, and responds to what the child is communicating through play, in ways that support emotional regulation, resilience, and self-understanding.

💙It’s also important to know that Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based intervention, one of the leading and most widely recognised therapies for children in the United States, and rapidly growing in Australia. Research consistently shows its effectiveness in improving emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and social development.

As Dr Garry Landreth said so perfectly:
“𝑇𝑜𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑛’𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑎𝑔𝑒.”

❓So… what’s the answer?❔

👉Do we change the name Play Therapy so it’s taken more seriously?
👉Do we keep explaining it ... again and again ... until it’s finally understood?
👉Or do we take a different approach altogether?

🎥 And if you’re still wondering what Play Therapy really looks like, watch this short video:

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