This is a free 15 minute phone conversation where you can ask questions about what services I provide and how it all works. It is also a chance for me to find out some brief information about the client and what concerns you are seeking help with. This gives us a chance to see if I am able to meet the family’s needs and I feel that I have the capacity to provide a successful service. Please be as honest and open as you can, I don’t want to waste your time and money if I’m not the right therapist for your child. 

Next step is to have an informal meeting with the parent(s)/carer to find out what they would like help with, and obtain some information about the client. We allow an hour for the intake meeting. This usually takes place here at Heartwood House (or via Zoom) after completing an Intake Form which I will send to you. This is done without the client present so the conversation can be honest and open. If we feel that the service I can provide meets the need of the client then the next step is for me to do an assessment of the client. Any previous reports are also useful and even information from teachers and the school. 

This takes place at Heartwood House and I also allow one hour. I spend some time with the client just one to one and the parent can be in the waiting area, or in the play room with us if that is what the client prefers. Parents may also be asked complete a questionnaire to assist with information gathering. 

This assessment is used to get to to know the child a bit more, to find out their interests, to get an understanding of their play skills and to assist, along with the information from the Intake, to develop some goals and aid with the planning for the sessions. 

If you are choosing to undertake the Family Therapy Program then the whole family attends the Assessment session so that I can meet you all and get you know everyone and see how you interact as a family unit. 

This takes place at Heartwood House and the sessions take 1 hour, preferably weekly at the same time if possible, to establish a routine. The sessions are conducted privately and we do require to parent/carer to wait onsite while the sessions are being held. As this is playing and having fun, the child will possibly get dirty, so please make sure they are wear comfortable clothes that are OK to get messy. Please also bring warm clothing and appropriate footwear as we often go outside if the child wishes to. We require a commitment of 10 sessions with a catch up with the parent/carer after session 5 to review progress and see if the goals and program require any changes. Depending on the circumstances 10 sessions might be sufficient, but often the intervention will need to go longer, commonly around 20 sessions. The changes achieved using Play Therapy can be long lasting so it is worth sticking to the program for these changes to be made by the child.

The Program for Family Play Therapy
The first 3 sessions are just the parents with the therapist, where you are taught some basic skills that you would use when you run a play session with your children. There are lots of explanations about why we do things a certain way, and we practice playing with each other before you start your sessions with the children.

We do prefer all parents/carers that live with the children to do this training so that you are all using the same skills and are aware of what is learnt in the program.

The next 4 sessions are where you get to practice these skills. You only work with one child at a time, for about 20 minutes. I offer this at my play space here at Heartwood Health but I am also very flexible at connecting online as you run your sessions at home.

Once the formal part is completed, we then determine how you would like to continue with your family, either supported with the therapist or on your own. The program is about fitting in with your family’s needs and availability, and I am very happy to give you more information and guidance about what is involved.

At the end of the allotted number of sessions, the client (0r family) might be assessed again to see what improvements have been made in the areas that they were seeking assistance with. This will determine if the intervention has been successful and that sessions can be completed. 

Hopefully family members, educators and friends will notice improvements in the child, and they can lead a happier, healthier and more satisfactory life.