Play Therapy: A Guide for Sunshine Coast Parents

If your child experiencing big emotions, behaviour changes, life transitions or finding play with others tricky?

Play therapy is one approach that can make a real difference.

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What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a gentle, evidence‑based form of counselling designed especially for children. Instead of relying on talking like adult therapy, it uses play (your child’s natural language) to help them express feelings, process experiences, and make sense of their world.

For many children, putting big emotions into words can feel overwhelming or simply isn’t developmentally possible. In play therapy, toys, art, and imagination become the tools that allow children to communicate safely and openly.

A trained play therapist observes and engages with your child’s play to understand what they may be experiencing internally, and supports them in a safe and caring environment.

Play therapy is a widely recognised and internationally supported approach, backed by organisations such as the Association for Play Therapy, Play Therapy International, and the Australian Play Therapists Association (APPTA). Together, these organisations support the development of evidence‑based practice, professional training standards, and high-quality care for children and families

💬 In simple terms

Play therapy helps children “talk” through play when words are too hard.

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How does play therapy work?

Play therapy may look simple – but it is a structured and intentional process guided by a trained professional.

Sessions take place in a thoughtfully designed playroom with tools such as figurines, sand trays, active games, art materials, and role-play toys. These are carefully chosen to help children express emotions, relationships, and experiences.

During sessions:

• Your child leads the play
• The therapist observes patterns and themes
• The therapist may gently reflect or guide when helpful

Over time, as your child feels safe and builds trust, they begin to:

• Express emotions more freely
• Develop healthier coping strategies
• Build confidence and emotional regulation

At Playful Minds, we begin with an initial phone consultation, followed by a parent meeting. Your child then attends weekly or fortnightly sessions, with parent review meetings every 4–6 weeks so you feel supported and involved along the way.

💬 In simple terms

Your child plays, the therapist understands what it means, and gently helps them work through big feelings.

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What makes Playful Minds different?

At Playful Minds, our approach to play therapy is slightly different – because we understand that every child comes with their own unique strengths, needs, and experiences.

We work within two complementary frameworks, allowing us to tailor therapy in a way that truly meets your child where they are.

The first is a humanistic, child‑led approach. In this space, your child leads the play while the therapist provides a safe, accepting, and supportive environment. This approach focuses on helping your child process their experiences, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self. When children feel understood and safe, they naturally move toward growth and healing.

At the same time, we also work within a developmental pretend play framework. While play is a child’s natural language, not all children have the skills to use play in a way that helps them express their thoughts and feelings. Some children may find it hard to get started, stay engaged, or use imagination in their play.

In these situations, we gently support the development of play skills ( through gentle role modelling, and shared play) – so children can begin to use play more meaningfully.

By working across both approaches, we can adapt therapy to suit your child:

• Some children benefit most from a fully child‑led, expressive approach
• Others may need support building play skills first before deeper therapeutic work can happen

💬 In simple terms

At Playful Minds, we both follow your child’s lead and support them to build play skills – so they can express, process, and grow in the way that suits them best.

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What issues and challenges can play therapy help with?

Play therapy supports a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges in children.

It can help with:

• Anxiety and worries
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Trauma or stressful life events
• Family changes (separation, divorce, new siblings)
• Grief and loss
• Behavioural challenges (anger, aggression, withdrawal)
• ADHD or attention difficulties
• Autism / Global Developmental Delay
• Selective (situational) Mutism
• Social skills and friendship issues
• Addressing the underlying need in sleep or toileting challenges

Through play, children can explore feelings they may not yet have the words for and develop healthier ways of coping.

At Playful Minds, we also offer:

• Early intervention and emotional regulation support
• Parent consultations with practical behaviour strategies
• Clinical play observations and assessments
• Pretend play assessments
• Early education observations
• Consultations for educators and organisations
• Capacity-building supports for NDIS plan-managed and self-managed participants

💬 In simple terms

Play therapy helps children with big feelings, behaviour challenges, and difficult experiences.

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Signs your child may benefit from play therapy

You might consider play therapy if your child is experiencing:

• Big emotional reactions or frequent meltdowns
• Ongoing anxiety or worries
• Changes in behaviour
• Withdrawal or challenges with friendships
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty adjusting to life changes
• Finding it hard to get started with play or unsure what to do
• Struggling to stay engaged in play, especially with others
• Finding group play challenging or preferring to play alone
• Wanting to control play or needing to be in charge of what happens
• Becoming easily frustrated during play, or frequently knocking down or disrupting play scenes

Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel quite right, it’s okay to seek support.

💬 In simple terms

If your child is finding play tricky (whether it’s getting started, playing with others, or staying engaged) —play therapy can help build these skills in a safe and supportive way.

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Why can’t my child just play at home?

This is one of the most common questions parents ask.

Play at home is incredibly valuable – but play therapy is different.

In play therapy:

• A trained therapist observes and makes meaning from the play
• Sessions are guided by therapeutic goals
• The environment is designed for emotional expression
• A safe, consistent relationship supports healing

Play therapy uses the therapeutic power of play to help children work through emotions in a deeper, more supported way.

💬 In simple terms

Playing at home is great – but play therapy helps children heal and grow with professional support.

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What’s the difference between a psychologist, paediatrician, OT, counsellor, and play therapist?

It’s completely normal to feel unsure about who to see – there are many professionals who support children, and their roles can overlap at times.

Here’s a simple guide to help you understand the differences:

Paediatricians
Paediatricians are medical doctors who specialise in children’s health, development, and wellbeing. They can assess development, diagnose medical or developmental conditions, and refer to other professionals. Some paediatricians can also prescribe medication if needed.

Psychologists
Psychologists focus on mental health, emotions, behaviour, and thinking patterns. They can provide therapy and formal assessments for concerns such as anxiety, ADHD, learning difficulties, or behavioural challenges.

Occupational Therapists (OTs)
OTs support children with everyday skills – such as sensory processing, motor skills, emotional regulation, and independence in daily activities like dressing, eating, and participating at school.

Counsellors
Counsellors provide emotional support and guidance through talking-based approaches. They often help children and families navigate stress, relationships, and life changes.

Play Therapists
Play therapists use play as the main way to help children express feelings, process experiences, and build coping skills. This approach is especially suited to younger children who may not yet have the words to explain what they are going through. (Look for Master’s trained play therapists or ones who have registration through professional bodies such as APPTA, APTA, PTPA ).

💬 In simple terms

Different professionals support different needs – play therapy focuses on helping children process emotions through play, often alongside other supports when needed.

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Common questions about play therapy

How do I know if my child needs play therapy?
If your child is struggling with emotions, behaviour, or life changes, play therapy can offer support in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

What happens in a session?
Children have the choice and autonomy to engage with the play materials in a way that suits their level of development, personal preference and needs at the time. Sessions may look like play – but they are guided by a trained therapist who understands how children express and process feelings. A Playful Minds play session is 45 minutes long.

How long does play therapy take?
Every child is different, and the length of therapy depends on their needs and what they are working through.

As a general guide:

Short-term support may be around 10–20 sessions

Medium-term support may be around 20–30 sessions

Longer-term therapy may be 30+ sessions

Will I be involved as a parent?
Yes. Parent involvement is an important part of the process, and regular review sessions help you feel supported and confident in supporting your child at home.

During sessions, it is generally recommended that parents wait in the foyer, as this allows your child to fully engage in their own therapeutic space. With that said, some children may need extra support separating at the beginning, and we work through this gently, at each child’s own pace.

Can I claim Medicare rebates for play therapy at Playful Minds?
Playful Minds does not offer Medicare rebates. However, we understand that accessing support is important, and we are open to discussing flexible options such as payment plans or fortnightly appointments to make therapy more accessible.

Is play therapy covered by the NDIS?
Yes – at Playful Minds, play therapy can be accessed by NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed, under capacity-building supports.

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Looking for play therapy on the Sunshine Coast?

If you’re searching for play therapy on the Sunshine Coast, you’re not alone. Many parents are looking for support when their child is struggling with big feelings, behaviour changes, or life transitions.

At Playful Minds, I endevour to provide a warm, supportive space where children can feel safe, understood, and supported to grow.

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