Adelaide Hills Therapy Questions
If you don’t feel confident in talking with us yet, then let us provide you with some answers to common questions such as What to expect in child psychology, how long does therapy take or how to prepare for your child’s therapy session.
Adelaide Hills Child Therapy
Find Out How We Can Help You Support Your Child
What is Play Therapy?
Great question! Play is the language that kids use to express themselves authentically before they have the words to describe their feelings. We use these observations to connect and support children through difficult challenges. Click over to our "What is Play Therapy" page to find out more!
My child doesn't like playing with toys, is Play Therapy a good fit?
The toys in our play room are carefully selected for a full range of expression and range from traditional toys like vehicles, dolls and kitchens all the way through to games, craft materials and sensory items. As Play Therapists, we are always seeking to attune to children and allow them to take the lead- if they don't want to "play", then that's fine! We follow their lead and allow them to express themselves with what they feel drawn to. That is the key to children feeling accepted and in control.
Is Play Therapy evidence-based?
Absolutely! Play Therapy is a relatively new field of child therapy in Australia but has a long history in the US and UK. There is a growing evidence base for Play Therapy in many forms. Check out our resources tab to find out more.
How long does therapy take
How long does therapy take is unique to every child's needs. We recommend weekly, consistent sessions for a set period to achieve momentum, followed by check-ins. Your therapist will discuss an expected duration during the goal-setting phase.
Do you support early intervention speech pathology needs?
Yes, we have significant experience in early intervention speech pathology for toddlers and preschoolers (often under 7s) to address speech delay therapy, articulation, and language development, giving your child the best foundation for communication skills.
Do you accept older children?
Yes we do! While many think that Play Therapy is predominantly for younger children, it can be wonderfully therapeutic for older children too. Helen is a qualified Youth Worker and former high school counsellor who enjoys bringing elements of Child-Centred Play Therapy to older children in an accessible way. We have two therapy rooms at Adelaide Hills Play Therapy: one that appeals to younger children and one that appeals to older children with board games, art and craft, sensory items and a sand tray.
Can I use NDIS funding for Play Therapy?
Yes, NDIS clients who are self or plan managed can use their funding at Adelaide Hills Play Therapy under "Capacity Building Therapy Supports- Other" for both the Early Intervention (Under 7s) and regular NDIS funding. For a fee schedule, please check out our fees page.
What to expect in child psychology?
When your child sees a Child Psychologist, you can expect a collaborative, tailored process. The first few sessions focus on building trust and completing an assessment. We use evidence-based approaches (like CBT or ACT) and often integrate creative elements to help your child master emotional regulation and build resilience.
How to prepare for your child's therapy session?
The best way to prepare for your child's therapy session is to simply tell them they are going to a friendly place where they can talk or play with a new grown-up about big feelings. It can be helpful to show them our About page to get familiar with their therapist prior to meeting them.
Do you offer Parent Coaching, or is it just for the children?
We strongly believe in supporting parents! We offer dedicated Parent Coaching sessions to provide you with practical, evidence-based strategies (like parent training ADHD) to manage challenges, enhance communication skills, and strengthen the parent-child bond.
Learn More About Our Therapy Services
Our Therapy Process
Take Steps Toward a Happy And Thriving Child
1. Connect
Start with a no obligation phone consultation so that we can define your childs goals and challenges together
2. Assessment
Our Therapy Team Will then perform a developmental assessment to identify the exact areas needing support ensuring the right therapy is applied
3. Collaboration
We build a personalised, evidence-based therapy roadmap tailored specifically to your child’s strengths and your family’s unique needs.
4. Thrive
Engage in regular, supportive sessions from Play Therapy to Speech Pathology, focused on achieving your ultimate goal: a happier, more resilient child.
Ready to Connect with a
Trusted Adelaide Hills Therapist
We believe finding the right therapist is the most critical step. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation discussion with one of our core clinicians—a Child Psychologist, Play Therapist, or Speech Pathologist—to ensure we are the perfect, non-judgmental fit for your family’s needs.