Play Therapy

With a focus on supporting children aged 2 to 12, our child play therapy services can help children living with a disability better express themselves and learn to cope with difficulties.

What is play therapy?

Child play therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach for working with children. Because children’s language development lags behind their cognitive development, children make sense of their worlds through play. Play is a child’s natural language and Play Therapists are specially trained in this language.

Why play therapy?

Play Therapy offers children living with a disability, learning difficulties or other social or cognitive challenges, an opportunity to express, process and master their emotions through play. It can be used to enhance and develop; relationships, play skills and self-esteem, improve; social skills, self-regulation and coping skills, assist with processing and expressing emotion, cultivating empathy towards others, and assist in developing new and creative solutions to problems.

Play Therapists use play to communicate with children and assist them to express and explore their feelings, needs, behaviours, and experiences. This service helps them to achieve optimal child growth and development.

At HenderCare, we understand the benefits of Play Therapy and work with children, aged 2 to 12, to
develop tailored play-based interventions to help both the child and their family to feel supported, happy,
and confident.

How does play therapy work? 

After an initial assessment, our Play Therapist will formulate therapeutic goals and develop a program utilising non-directive and/or directive Play Therapy modalities.

The following Play Therapy modalities may be utilised:

  • Child Centred Play Therapy
  • Learn to Play
  • Filial Therapy
  • Principles of Theraplay®

Our Play Therapy sessions are held at the same time and on the same day each week to help your child feel secure and, depending on the needs of your child, the sessions may either be in a private or group setting.

Play Therapy does not require a referral from a GP or specialist.

To find out more, please call 1300 764 433 or click here to request more information.

Please note, HenderCare’s Play Therapy service is only available in South Australia but if you live in another state and would like to register your interest in the service, please click here.

Skip to content