What Is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a specialised service that aims to develop neurological, biological, emotional and social wellness using play-based modalities.
Play Therapists are highly qualified mental health practitioners who use therapeutic skills to facilitate positive change. The benefits extend beyond the child to their family and broader community.
We at Light Heart Play Therapy specialise in supporting children and their family/school systems with:
Medical Treatment: Preperation for medical procedures through pre procedural play.
Medical and Chronic Illness Support: Supporting children and families in coping with long-term health conditions and diagnoses.
Mental Health Issues: Such as anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties.
Family Conflict and Family Violence: Helping children process their experiences through play.
Trauma Recovery: Assisting with healing from past traumas, including those passed down through generations or related to cultural experiences or medical experiences.
Attachment and Relationship Issues: Helping build healthy connections and trust.
Neurodiversity: Supporting neurodivergent children in navigating and thriving within environments designed for neurotypical functioning.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Addressing difficult experiences from childhood that impact current well-being.
Everyday Challenges: Including eating and toileting difficulties, sibling conflict, school, preschool, day-care, kinder adjustments/complexities.
Moving home or location: adapting to new environments and managing change.
Global and environmental crises: Support to process health events and natural disasters (bush fire, flood, pandemics)
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a highly specialised field that works with the child, through play, at their pace to create change. It aims to develop neurological, biological, emotional and social wellness using various forms of play.
Play Therapists are highly qualified mental health practitioners who use interpersonal play therapy skills to create safe conditions to facilitate change.
This impacts not only on the child, but their family and wider community also.
Play Therapy has a strong focus on the United Nations Convention to ensure that each child is treated with respect.
Who is Play Therapy for?
Children aged 2 - 16 years and families seeking help to improve relationships.
Do I need a referral from a GP?
No, you don’t need a referral. Anyone is welcome to speak to a Light Heart team member and book an intake session.
Can I use NDIS funding?
Yes. We offer sessions for anyone with a self managed and plan managed NDIS plan.
Where are you located?
Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia.