Frequently Asked Questions

Growing Us Play Therapy is located at 1/14-22 Howard St, Nambour (on the first floor of the Donanby Place building, above Pet Affection).

For the easiest parking option, the C-Square car park (entry via Mill Street) is just a 3-minute walk from Growing Us Play Therapy. It offers ample secure parking, and the first 2 hours are free. While there is free council parking and 2-hour street parking nearby, spaces can sometimes be difficult to find.

Unfortunately, the current location of Growing Us Play Therapy is on the first level (with two flights of stairs) and does not have ramp or lift access. If this presents a challenge, mobile Play Therapy may be offered in the future, with services provided in the home, school or early learning education centre environment. Please feel free to express your interest and sign up to the Mailing List to stay informed if these services become available.

Weekly sessions have been identified as the most beneficial for children, as it allows the therapeutic relationship to develop and momentum of the therapy to continue. This is therefore the typical frequency of sessions provided at Growing Us Play Therapy.

Sessions are typically held at the same day and time, in a Play Therapy room with carefully selected materials that support full exploration and emotional expression. Keeping the session time and materials consistent helps to support psychological safety for the child.

The number of Play Therapy sessions your child may need can vary based on their individual circumstances. Generally speaking, it takes an average of 20 sessions for most children to reach their therapeutic goals (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). Every 6 or so weeks, we will meet to review their progress and adjust the plan as necessary.

The Playroom is a special space for the therapist and the child, and this is important for the process of Play Therapy. When it is time for your child’s session, they will be invited into the playroom while you return to the waiting area. However, if your child feels hesitant or anxious about this, the therapist will work gently to help them through these feelings and build a sense of internal safety.

Remember that your child is not doing anything wrong if they have trouble separating. The therapeutic journey begins the moment the therapist meets your child, so whether in the playroom or in the waiting area, important work is being done! Try to follow the therapist’s lead, take deep breaths and avoid pressure, guilt or forcing your child to enter the room. Focus on your own grounded confidence in the certainty that the separation is OK (children feel this - energy is contagious!). Our goal is to accept the child right where they are and build trust within the relationship. It’s a process!

Here are some things we can do to support the transition if it feels tricky for your child:

• Reflect feelings and bring attention to what you will do together after the session.

• Offer choices to help them feel more in control, such as choosing a special object to carry into the playroom, choosing to race down the hall or walk side-by-side, choosing whether you sit in the waiting area or right outside the playroom door, or choosing which door they would like to go through when entering the playroom.

• Establish fun and playful rituals, such as a drawing a heart on each other’s hand, creating a special handshake or hiding a note in the waiting area for you to find.

• Invite them to choose one toy from the playroom for you to hold onto during the session, then return once the session as ended.

• Leave the door slightly open for the first five minutes of the session.

• Allow the child to bring you into the playroom for the first five minutes.

The need for these supports will gradually reduce as your child becomes more confident entering the playroom. This will happen naturally over time as they progress through the exploration “warm up” stage, developing trust in the therapist and security in the environment.

During your child’s session, it is important not to leave the building, as this can impact your child’s ability to feel safe and fully engage in therapy. Additionally, your presence may be needed if your child requires medical assistance or toileting support. The waiting area is equipped with seating, books and toys to help make your time there enjoyable. While you are waiting, you may hear banging, laughing, yelling and singing - or it may be silent. Don’t worry, it’s all part of the process!

Sometimes, leaving the Playroom signals that your child may need a break from the intensity of their emotions. It could also reflect tiredness, curiosity or even a part of their play process. At Growing Us Play Therapy, children are never forced to stay in the Playroom. Therapy is most effective when children feel safe, willing and in control of their own process. If your child chooses to leave the Playroom during a session, the therapist will use this as an opportunity to maintain connection and support your child, rather than viewing it as a disruption. The session will still conclude at the scheduled time, as this predictable structure helps your child learn that challenges can be managed within a supportive relationship.

While Play Therapy sessions are private, they are not secret. You will be provided updates on your child’s progress and milestones in therapy every 5-6 weeks, and your child may share as much as they wish with you (however this is an invitation, not an expectation). An exception to session privacy is if there are any concerns regarding safety. These will always be reported in accordance with our Child Protection Policy.

As a former teacher herself, Ginny deeply values the importance of school. It is also true that addressing children’s mental health needs is of great importance. With your consent, Growing Us can provide a letter to your child's school informing them of the Play Therapy sessions. Additionally, Growing Us can collaborate with school staff to schedule sessions at times that minimise disruption to their learning.

Yes, it is preferred that both parents or guardians provide consent for Play Therapy sessions. If there is a court order in place, Growing Us requires the signed consent of both legal guardians before proceeding. To facilitate this, we offer separate initial consultations, including options for Zoom meetings and e-signatures, to ensure we obtain the necessary legal consent as smoothly and securely as possible.

Growing Us requires notice of cancellation by 4pm the day prior to your Appointment, via email or phone, to avoid cancellation fees. Cancellation after this time will result in a 50% charge of the service, as per our Cancellation Policy.

You can complete a self-referral to access services at Growing Us Play Therapy. Click here to access the Referral Form. Ginny will be in touch to discuss your family's needs and determine whether Growing Us Play Therapy is the right therapeutic fit.

Play Therapy services at Growing Us currently meet the NDIS criteria for Therapeutic Supports as per the NDIS Practice Standards. Child-Centred Play Therapy is an evidence-based complete therapeutic system that increases a child’s functional capacity by providing therapeutic support for social, emotional and behavioural challenges. Child-Centred Play Therapy provides an effective intervention to meet an individual’s NDIS goals, and will assist the development of, or to increase, a participant’s skills and their capacity for independence and community participation.

As per the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits documentation. Play Therapy meets the requirements specified to “Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living” (p.85-89). As a registered member of the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), I hold a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Master of Child Play Therapy. A requirement of my professional membership is that I have experience in the profession and evidence of involvement in clinical supervision and professional development as required by the appropriate professional body.

Mobile Play Therapy takes place at your child's childcare, school or home environment, if suitable. Whilst this service is not currently offered by Growing Us Play Therapy, it may become available in the future. Please be sure to complete a Referral Form and sign up the Mailing List if this interests you.

So glad you asked! Sign up to the Growing Us Mailing List. It’s free and the best way for us to stay connected (although you can unsubscribe at any time, I won’t be offended). See you in your inbox!