Kindred Play Therapy

19/01/2023

Play Therapy is a broad term that covers a range of therapeutic models!

There are many different types of play therapy, but I have particular training and specialization in a few different types.

At Kindred Play Therapy, these are the types of play therapy that I may use, depending on the needs of the child and family:

✿ Child Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) - this is the foundation of all the work I do as a play therapist. My graduate training specialized in this area, and it is a gentle, highly evidence-based form of therapy that is child-led. CCPT allows children to utilize the playroom and the safety of the therapeutic relationship to play out challenges, explore their feelings, build skills and emotional regulation.
This modality also forms the foundation on which I view children - as capable and intrinsically motivated towards growth.

✿ Theraplay - I have completed level 1 training in Theraplay, which allows me to use these principals in my work with children and families. This form of play therapy is a directive form, that works with the child and caregiver together. We work with this relationship to support attachment, work through any relational ruptures, and support a nurturing relationship. This form of therapy can be used with children of any age!

✿ Interplay - I am also a certified Interplay practitioner, a modality that focuses strongly on the importance of the child/caregiver relationship working together in the playroom. Interplay is attachment focussed and can bring healing within this relationship where needed, and establish ongoing secure attachment.

✿ Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT) - another form of therapy that underpins the way that I work with children and families beautifully. SPT works with an understanding of brain development, nervous system regulation, and how to help children integrate big feelings through co-regulation.

These are just some of the ways that I work as a play therapist, and there are many more different modalities! This is one of the things I love about this work, we have the opportunity to never stop learning and growing as practitioners.

17/01/2023

One of the ways that play therapists will use language in the playroom is to focus on ENCOURAGEMENT instead of PRAISE.

What is the difference?

Praise can sound like: "Good job!", "Your drawing is amazing", "You are such a good boy".
Overuse of statements such as these can lead children to become dependent on such feedback to form their sense of self, and lead to reduced intrinsic motivation.

It can be so tough to change this language! It is engrained in our culture to say these statements. However, there can be more beneficial language to use when we are looking to build our children's self esteem.

Instead, examples of encouragement could sound like: "You worked so hard, you must be proud of yourself!", "Look at all the colours you used in your drawing! Tell me about your picture".

It can take time to change these language patterns that we all use, but trying out some of these phrases can be a great start.

06/01/2023

One of the most inspiring things about working as a play therapist is seeing children work through big feelings or experiences in their lives in our playroom.

Developmentally, many children are unable to talk through how they are feeling - but through play, we see children express themselves most naturally.

20/12/2022

A new blog post is now live on our website, all about how play therapy works.

I hope you enjoy reading! If you have any more questions about play therapy, feel free to reach out.

A common question when it comes to play therapy is, ‘how exactly does it work?’. There can be some confusion around how play therapy differs from children playing at school or at home, and how it can work to help childre...

15/12/2022

If you are looking to support your child's emotional wellbeing and would like to know more about how play therapy can help build resiliency and skills - feel free to reach out for a chat!

We have immediate availability, with no wait lists. For more information, go to kindredplaytherapy.com.au

13/12/2022

Did you know that there has been a lot of research that shows the efficacy and benefits of play therapy?

In play therapy, safety in the therapeutic relationship is created so that children are able to play out their inner and real life experiences. Through working with a registered play therapist, children are supported to build insight around their feelings or challenges, and build capacity.

Play therapy allows children to build regulation, communicate, express themselves, and practice and develop new skills.

To find out more, have a look at our website!

www.kindredplaytherapy.com.au

07/12/2022

👀 Little corners of the playroom...

07/12/2022

We are so excited to announce that our new play therapy clinic is now open in Torrensville!

Play Therapy is a gentle and evidence-based support for children experiencing challenges and big feelings. We specialize in working with children to support:

✿ Regulation skills and emotional literacy
✿ Building confidence & self esteem
✿ Processing trauma and adverse life events
✿ Reducing anxiety and depression
✿ Building attachment and connection between caregivers & children

Play Therapy is also beneficial and affirming for children facing emotional or social difficulties relating to diagnosis such as:
✿ Autism Spectrum Disorder
✿ ADHD
✿ Global Developmental Delay
✿ Selective Mutism

We have immediate availability with no waitlist for new clients. We look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions about our services.

kindredplaytherapy.com.au