Because beneath every behaviour, there’s a story.
Growing Us Play Therapy is currently accepting new clients (ages 3-10) to our Nambour clinic, Sunshine Coast.
FINALLY:
Therapy that speaks your child’s language.
If you have little ones in your life, you know: kids aren’t mini-adults. Their brains are still developing. They live in their hearts, not their heads. Which means sitting still and “talking it out,” like adults do, isn’t always possible… or even all that helpful.
You’re looking for a therapeutic approach that makes sense for your child’s brain and aligns with their stage of development. Something that meets them in their world, and honours their innate ability to heal and grow using their natural language: PLAY. Because you understand, intuitively and intellectually, that play is a child’s first language. It’s how they express themselves and make sense of their inner and outer worlds.
And? You want a Play Therapist who’s not only highly qualified, but who truly gets it. Someone who sees beneath the behaviour to the heart of what’s going on. Who holds space with deep empathy and zero judgement, for them AND for you. Someone who helps your child feel safe, free, confident and completely accepted.
Just 👏 as 👏 they 👏 are.
When kids can’t say it, they play it.
Play Therapy sometimes gets confused with other things, such as learning through play, guided play activities, or simply “having fun” with toys. But while play is therapeutic in many settings, Play Therapy is something quite distinct.
Play Therapy is a recognised form of psychotherapy, backed by decades of research and delivered by tertiary trained professionals under clinical supervision. Unlike adult psychotherapy, which often relies on words, child psychotherapy uses the language of children (play) to support their psychosocial, emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
In a child-centred model of Play Therapy, the child leads, using toys, art, and storytelling as symbolic tools to express and explore what’s going on inside. The therapist uses their presence and therapeutic skills to be an “external regulator” and a “translator”, helping the child feel deeply safe, seen, soothed and understood. Over time, this process helps children grow in confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Just as importantly, the therapist works with caregivers and other professionals to support reflection and understanding of their child’s inner world.
Who is Play Therapy for?
In Play Therapy, children can process difficult life experiences and work through a range of social, emotional and behavioural challenges.
-
Changes like starting a new school, moving house, welcoming a new sibling, or experiencing family separation can be challenging for children. Play Therapy gives them a safe and supportive space to process these transitions. Through symbolic play, children explore their worries, make sense of what’s happening, and regain a sense of stability and control.
-
Big worries, fears, phobias, and persistent sadness can be hard for children to put into words. In Play Therapy, children have the freedom to explore the root cause of their anxiety, at their own pace and in their own way. Over time, they develop a stronger sense of inner security, emotional regulation, and self-trust.
-
For children who experience self-doubt, harsh self-talk, or low confidence, Play Therapy offers a space where they can feel seen, accepted, and valued just as they are. Within the safety of the therapeutic relationship, children begin to experience themselves as capable, worthy, and resilient, building a stronger, more positive sense of self from the inside out.
-
When children are struggling with friendships, peer dynamics, or classroom expectations, Play Therapy can help build emotional and social confidence. Through the therapeutic relationship and their play, children develop skills like turn-taking, empathy, self-expression, and problem-solving… all of which support smoother interactions with others and more success in group settings.
-
Outbursts, defiance, and big emotional reactions are often a child’s way of saying “I don’t know how to cope with what I’m feeling.” In Play Therapy, children are supported to safely express the intense feelings driving their behaviour, such as frustration, fear, or powerlessness. Over time, they build emotional awareness and learn more adaptive ways to manage strong emotions.
-
Medical procedures and hospital visits can leave children feeling scared, confused, or out of control. In Play Therapy, children can revisit these experiences through medical play — exploring them at their own pace, making sense of what happened, and restoring a sense of control. This process can help reduce medical-related anxiety and empower children to feel safer in their bodies and in healthcare settings.
-
Whether a child is grieving the loss of a loved one, pet, or a significant relationship or experience, Play Therapy offers a safe space to express the many feelings that grief can bring. As a trauma-informed approach, Play Therapy also supports children who’ve experienced distressing events — helping them feel safe, regain a sense of control, and gently integrate what’s happened without having to talk before they’re ready.
-
Play Therapy meets each child exactly where they are, with respect for their unique sensory, social, cognitive, and emotional way of being in the world. It’s especially supportive for children who are neurodivergent or living with a disability, including Autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, OCD, sensory processing differences, situational mutism, Tourette syndrome, and those who are twice-exceptional. Because play is a natural and universal language for children, Play Therapy offers a safe and accessible model that honours every child’s strengths and unique way of being.
If you’re ready to…
Support your child with a strengths-based approach
Understand what may be beneath their behaviour
Welcome more peace and playfulness into daily life
Where do we go from here?
Start by filling out a Referral Form. This gives me a sense of what kind of support you are looking for and how I might be able to help.
#1: Refer your child
This is a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your family's needs and determine whether Growing Us is the right fit.
#2: Have a Connection Call
We’ll begin with an Intake Meeting, then weekly Play Therapy. Most children will attend 20–30 sessions, with regular parent check-ins.
#3: Grow together in play
How do we know it works?
Research conducted into the effectiveness of Play Therapy shows just how powerful this approach is for bringing about change. Meta-analyses of over 200 Play Therapy studies showed significant reductions in common childhood mental health issues including impulsivity, anxiety, depression, social issues and academic issues.
Research has also found that the overall treatment effect of Play Therapy ranges from moderate to highly positive. A medium to large effect size indicates that Play Therapy has a clinically relevant effect.
