When working with neurotypical and neurodivergent children and infants, we need to think and work outside the box as therapists. This is where play therapy can come in. Play therapy can be a useful tool to improve social skills, social connections, emotional regulation and difficulties with attentional control.

At Riverina Counselling we use play therapy to ‘meet the child where they are at’, as we do with all our clients. We use an attachment and cognitive approach to help support younger people reach their goals and reduce difficulties they may be having in their lives.

Reflective Parenting

As part of working with children we also believe with working with parents to support both parties to be able to understand one another and what drives the ongoing issues that brought things to therapy in the first place. It is also a place to develop new, more effective, strategies for supporting your child.

This provides a safe, neutral space for the parent to have their own connection and address their difficulties. Often, without the parent engaged, results can take more time to develop, or issues may not improve over time.

Emotions and behaviours

At Riverina Counselling we work with the behaviours but try to understand the underlying emotions and states that continue to drive them. Seeing beyond the behaviour helps to connect to the child’s experience to begin the bridge towards understanding and change.

Neurodivergence

Play therapy is a fantastic tool for neurodivergent children to better improve regulation social skills and connect with other peers in a fun and safe environment where learning can take place.