Canberra Play Therapy

Canberra Play Therapy offers child-centred play therapy for children aged 3–12, providing a calm, welcoming space where children can express themselves in the way that comes most naturally to them, through play.

Children don’t always have the words to explain how they’re feeling or what they’ve been through. In play therapy, toys, art, music, movement, and imaginative play become a child’s language. In the therapy room, children are free to explore a range of materials such as art supplies, puppets, costumes, dolls, and sensory resources, allowing them to express thoughts and feelings that can be hard to put into words.

Our approach is Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), a gentle, non-directive and trauma-informed form of therapy. The child leads the play, and the therapist follows with care, curiosity, and respect. Within the safety of a trusting therapeutic relationship, children are supported to build confidence, develop emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and feel truly seen and understood.

While it looks like play, the work is intentional and deeply meaningful. Play therapy can support children experiencing anxiety, big emotions, behavioural challenges, social or friendship difficulties, low confidence, communication challenges, family separation, loss or grief, trauma, bullying, significant life changes, or difficulties engaging in more talk-based therapies. It can also be helpful for children with neurodivergence, including ADHD, ADD, and Autism.