Play Therapy Tauranga

Play Therapy Tauranga Play Therapy Tauranga provides specialised therapy/counselling to children aged 3-12. As adults we often talk through our problems.

Play Therapy Tauranga provides specialised therapy/counselling to children and families, through the use of play. Play therapy recognises that play is children’s natural mode of communication .The Child and therapist work together in a room with toys .

“Toys are like the child’s words and play is the language “
Dr Garry Landreth

Play therapy creates a space in which children have the freedom to express themselves within safe boundaries. Children can play through situations and explore their thoughts which may be causing them to feel sad, anxious, angry or afraid. Children can gain a better understanding of their experiences, emotions and behaviors and find their own inner resources for optimal healing, growth and development . Parents/caregivers are a crucial part of the child's therapy and regular review meetings are held to work in partnership. OUR MISSION:
To provide children and families with safe and evidenced based therapeutic models that enables them to express and explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviors though play; their natural mode of communication. Play therapy facilitates their optimal healing, growth and development . MELANIE GILBERT-DE RIOS - Child Play Therapist and Filial Family Therapist
BSc (Hons), Dip SW, CPW PG Child Centered Play Therapy, Reg.SW, Certified Filial Family Therapist, MANZASW, PG Certificate in Professional Supervison ,Member of Association for play Therapy. Melanie has over 30 years’ experience of working with children and families in the social services and health sector. Melanie is from the UK and has enjoyed living in the bay of plenty for the past 22 years with her husband, 2 daughters and their dog Daisy. Melanie's Initial consultation fee is $190.00 plus GST and Play Therapy sessions are $140.00 plus GST /Filial Family Therapy $150.00 Plus GST
Professional Supervision $140.00 Plus GST

Some funding may be applicable for some families. WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM PLAY THERAPY? In the process of growing up, most children experience difficulties coping at some time. Play therapy can offer children a safe, non-intrusive method to assist with making sense and recovery from common distressing events as well as major trauma’s. Play therapy can help children with:

-Trauma
- Parental separation/Divorce
- Death, illness or injury
- Additions to their family (siblings, re-marriage, blended families)
- Family conflict and violence
- Separation and school anxiety
-Neurodiversity (Autism ,ADHD)
- Behavioral or social difficulties
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- Catastrophic events or Natural disasters

Play therapy sessions are 45 mins long and research shows that around 20 sessions provide the best outcomes. However short-term therapy can also be provided in some cases with 12 sessions.

15/11/2025

Words Worth Holding Onto is a gentle collection of quotes, reminders and affirmations for children and young people navigating big feelings. Sometimes, the right words at the right time can make all the difference.

Timeline of a Meltdown Resource
Electronic download available at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

24/10/2025

A child who melts down the moment they get home isn’t being difficult — they’re being safe.

All day, they’ve been holding it together: masking discomfort, managing demands, keeping up appearances.
Home is where the mask can finally slip.

Tears, shouting, silence, collapse — this is the release that follows a day of survival.
It’s not misbehaviour. It’s trust.

Our new visual — The Child Who Feels Safe Enough to Unravel — is a reminder that the hardest moments often happen where a child feels most loved.

Explore our linked toolkits for deeper understanding and support:
Masking Toolkit – why some children hide their true selves all day
After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit – how to help your child decompress and recover after school.
Instant electronic download with secure global checkout. at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this post for the next time home feels like the storm after calm.

Loved sharing about the window of tolerance at this EPIC families event ! What a great afternoon of inspiring speakers
14/10/2025

Loved sharing about the window of tolerance at this EPIC families event ! What a great afternoon of inspiring speakers

The power of Connection ! ❤️
13/10/2025

The power of Connection ! ❤️

What a privilege to be able to share about the magic powers of play at this EPIC event supporting neurodiverse children ...
12/10/2025

What a privilege to be able to share about the magic powers of play at this EPIC event supporting neurodiverse children and their families.

11/10/2025

10/10/2025

The parent child connection is the most power intervention known to mankind”.

( Bessel van de kolk )

Looking forward to sharing about the power of play at this great event !
03/10/2025

Looking forward to sharing about the power of play at this great event !

The ultimate event to give neurodiverse families the freedom to thrive. Get the clarity, certainty and confidence to support your child and help them navigate home, school, sleep and emotions. EPIC Families is for Extraordinary Parents & Incredible Children - get your tickets now.

Excited to be facilitating this workshop with CPW in October.
22/09/2025

Excited to be facilitating this workshop with CPW in October.

ChildPlayWorks Charitable Trust - Professional Development ChildPlayWorks provides specialist Child Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) for NZ tamariki who need support. We are a New Zealand-based and internationally recognised expert training provider in the wonderful modality of Child Centred Play Therapy...

04/09/2025

PDA isn't the only type of 'Demand Avoidance', and it's a very rare presentation.

Here is a little bit of information on the different types of demand avoidance, it's important we investigate them when a child/adult is demand avoidant so we can understand the real reasons behind it. Here's a little bit of information on these...

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION AVOIDANCE
This is when certain tasks prove difficult due to executive function difficulties or impairments - such as starting a task or using one's working memory. We have 7 executive functions that are constantly in use every day. Give them a google to understand more!

SENSORY AVOIDANCE
When an environment isn't a 'sensory match' for a person, it can be overwhelming or over/under-stimulating and this can naturally lead to a person avoiding that environment. We have 8 senses and it's important we understand them and how environments affect them in order to know if sensory avoidance is an issue.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM BASED AVOIDANCE
When a person has low self-esteem and low self-efficacy it stands to reason that they will fear failing and this can put huge pressures on them. The easiest way to rid that pressure is to avoid the activity altogether. With neurodivergent individuals Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria may also play a part in this.

ANXIETY DRIVEN AVOIDANCE
Think about it... If a person, environment or object causes anxiety in someone it's very natural and rational for them to avoid the cause of the anxiety. It's a way of keeping oneself safe.

PATHOLOGICAL DEMAND AVOIDANCE
This is a really rare presentation and is linked to the demand (not necessarily the activity). The demand will trigger anxiety which leads for a 'pervasive drive for autonomy', or the desperate need to be in control in order to bring anxiety down. This need for control can often become the overriding factor in the situation, and can often appear 'irrational' where the demand avoidant response seems unnecessarily excessive or extreme. You may also find ALL of the other reasons for demand avoidance are present in a person with PDA.

Always great information from Sunshine Support❤️!

03/09/2025

Perth Children's Occupational Therapy 🧡

A great reminder !
03/09/2025

A great reminder !

This is a great reminder from that perspective is everything.

As we embark on a new academic year let us all remember to place more focus on what we have achieved rather than all we have left to do.

👣

Address

9 Brookfeld Terrace, Brookfield
Tauranga
3146

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+64210364644

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Our Story

Play Therapy Tauranga provides specialised therapy/counselling to children aged 3-12, through the use of play. As adults we often talk through our problems. Play Therapy recognises that play is children’s natural mode of communication.The child and therapist work together in a room with toys. “Toys are like the child’s words and play is the language “ Dr Garry Landreth Play Therapy creates a space in which children have the freedom to express themselves within safe boundaries.Children can play through situations and explore their thoughts which may be causing them to feel sad, anxious, angry or afraid. Children can gain a better understanding of their experiences, emotions and behaviors and find their own inner resources for optimal healing, growth and development. Parents/caregivers are a crucial part of the child's therapy and regular review meetings are held to work in partnership. OUR MISSION: To provide children with a safe and evidenced based therapeutic model that enables them to express and explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviors though play; their natural mode of communication.Play therapy facilitates their optimal healing, growth and development. MELANIE GILBERT-DE RIOS - Child Play Therapist Bsc(Hons), Dip SW, CPW PG Child Centred Play Therapy, Reg.SW, MANZASW,Member of Association for Play Therapy. Melanie is passionate about supporting children and their families.She specialises in using Child Centred Play Therapy.Melanie has over 20 years experience of working with children and families using a family therapy systems approach in the social services and health sector. Alongside her private practice Melanie is a child and family therapist in the health sector. Melanie is from the UK ,and has enjoyed living in the bay of plenty for the past 16 years with her husband,2 teenage daughters and their dog Daisy.

FEES

The standard fee is of $120.00 per session .Some clients may be eligible for sessions to be partially funded by WINZ or from other sources, depending on family circumstances.Fees are discussed and agreed prior to the first session.Fees are due within two working days ,and sessions not attended without 24 hours notice may be charged 50% of the session fee.

WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM PLAY THERAPY? In the process of growing up, most children experience difficulties coping at some time. Play therapy can offer children a safe ,non-intrusive method to assist with making sense and recovery from common distressing events as well as major trauma’s. Play therapy can help children with: - Parental separation/Divorce - Bereavement,illness or injury - Additions to their family (siblings, re-marriage,blended families) - Family conflict and violence - Separation and school anxiety - Behavioral or social difficulties - Physical, sexual or emotional abuse - Catastrophic events or Natural disasters Play therapy sessions are 45 mins long and research shows that 15-16 sessions provide the best outcomes .Depending on child’s circumstances short term therapy can also be provided in 10 sessions.