ABC Play Therapy, Counselling and Psychotherapy

03/02/2026

Children will look to their closest adult - a parent, a teacher, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle - for signs of safety and signs of danger.

What the parent believes, the child will follow, for better or worse.

Anxiety doesn’t mean they aren’t safe or capable. It means they don’t feel safe or capable enough yet.

As long as they are safe, this is where they need to borrow our calm and certainty until they can find their own.

The questions to ask are, ‘Do I believe they are safe and cared for here?’ ‘Do I believe they are capable?’

It’s okay if your answer is no to either of these. We aren’t meant to feel safe handing our kiddos over to every situation or to any adult.

But if the answer is no, that’s where the work is.

What do you need to know they are safe and cared for? What changes need to be made? What can help you feel more certain? Is their discomfort from something unsafe or from something growthful? What needs to happen to know they are capable of this?

This can be so tricky for parents as it isn’t always clear. Are they anxious because this is new or because it’s unsafe?

As long as they are relationally safe (or have an adult working towards this) and their bodies feel safe, the work is to believe in them enough for them to believe it too - to handle our very understandable distress at their distress, make space for their distress, and show them we believe in them by what we do next: support avoidance or brave behaviour.

As long as they are safe, we don’t need to get rid of their anxiety or big feelings. Lovingly make space for those feelings AND brave behaviour. They can feel anxious and do brave.

‘I know this feels big. Bring all your feelings to me. I can look after you through all of it. And yes, this is happening. I know you can do this. We’ll do it together.’

But we have to be kind and patient with ourselves too. The same instinct that makes you a wonderful parent - the attachment instinct - might send your ‘they’re not safe’ radar into overdrive.

Talk to their adults at school, talk to them, get the info you need to feel certain enough, and trust they are safe, and capable enough, even when anxiety (theirs and yours) is saying no.❤️

02/02/2026

Happy Play Therapy Week from us at ABC Play Therapy! 🌈
A week to celebrate, spread the word and advocate for Play Therapy in our community and beyond.
Stay tuned for more resources throughout the week!

23/01/2026

"🎉 Welcome to 2026! We're thrilled to be starting the new year with you. ✨

ABC Play Therapy is back this week and we have NEW APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Monday to Thursday! 🌈

If you've been thinking about play therapy for your child or counselling support for your family, now is the perfect time to reach out.

📞 Call us at 0490 077 141
🌐 Visit abctherapyadelaide.com

Here's to a year of growth, healing, and play! 💜"

08/12/2025

A new Grattan Institute report shows how Australia can build a national system of psychosocial supports within five years without spending any more money.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/most-people-with-disabling-mental-health-conditions-cant-access-the-ndis-heres-a-better-way-to-provide-support-270957

20/10/2025

💡 “Everyone should know about children’s rights” is the theme for Children’s Week 2025 in Australia

🇺🇳 Article 42 of the UNCRC reminds us that it’s our collective responsibility to ensure children AND adults understand children’s rights. As play therapists, we take this responsibility seriously

🇺🇳 Every day in our work, we advocate for children’s rights through play…their right to be heard (Article 12), their right to play and rest (Article 31), and their right to express themselves freely (Article 13)

▶️ Play therapy isn’t just about supporting children to healing or develop, it’s about empowering children to know and exercise their rights in a language they understand best: play!

🗣️ This Children’s Week, let’s start conversations about children’s rights. Let’s communicate to children that they have a voice that matters. Let’s remind adults that listening to children isn’t optional…it’s their right

❓What will YOU do this week to help someone learn about children’s rights?

16/10/2025

Children with more than one developmental condition – such as ADHD, autism or others – are at risk of depression or anxiety too. Health systems need to adapt.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/our-study-of-267-000-kids-reveals-the-hidden-burden-of-multiple-developmental-conditions-267114

09/10/2025

October is ADHD & Dyslexia Awareness Month

Did you know that 1 in 20 Australians have ADHD, and up to 10% experience dyslexia?

This month, we’re celebrating the diversity of minds, raising awareness, understanding and acceptance of how people think, learn and connect.

ADHD affects attention, energy and impulsivity, but it also brings unique strengths like creativity, hyperfocus, problem-solving and enthusiasm.

Dyslexia impacts reading and language processing yet many people with dyslexia show innovative thinking, strong pattern recognition and powerful visual creativity.

By learning more about neurodiversity, we can create schools, workplaces and communities where everyone’s strengths are recognised and supported.

Learn more:
• neuroinclusiverecruiting.org.au/neurodiversity
• speldsa.org.au
• adhdawarenessmonth.org

Let’s celebrate different ways of thinking — because every brain learns differently, and every person deserves to belong. 💙

09/10/2025

Curious about play therapy? This powerful approach is growing fast as more parents discover the key to children’s wellbeing may lie in the playroom.

22/09/2025

The Australian Autism Alliance is seeking feedback on the recently announced Thriving Kids program, designed for children aged 0–8 who may require additional supports beyond those usually provided to neurotypical children.

Why take part?
- Make sure autistic voices and the autism community are included in program design

- Highlight what matters most to you and those you represent

- Help decision-makers understand both the opportunities and challenges

Share your opinions by completing the anonymous survey (approx. 10–20 minutes): https://tinyurl.com/r84kpjf9

18/09/2025

New bulk-billed health checks for three-year-olds would refer them for additional support – including psychosocial therapy.

11/09/2025