Counselling

A supportive, confidential space where children, adolescents, and parents can talk through their worries, develop coping strategies, and build the emotional skills that support lasting wellbeing.

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Counselling offers children, adolescents, and parents a warm and confidential space to talk through the challenges they are facing. Unlike play-based approaches, counselling draws on conversation to help individuals understand their thoughts and feelings, make sense of difficult experiences, and develop practical strategies for managing them. Sessions are tailored to each person’s age, needs, and circumstances, ensuring that support always feels relevant and accessible.

Counselling sessions can address a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, grief, family change, friendship difficulties, and everyday stress. For older children and adolescents in particular, talking with a trusted professional can bring relief and clarity at a time when emotions can feel overwhelming. The counsellor works at the individual’s pace, building trust and creating an environment where it feels safe to be open and honest.

Through gentle, guided conversation, counselling helps individuals recognise unhelpful patterns, strengthen their coping skills, and build greater confidence and resilience. Approaches may include reflective discussion, goal-setting, mindfulness, and cognitive strategies, all chosen to suit the person’s stage of development and personal goals. The focus is always on practical, lasting change rather than quick fixes.

Counselling also works hand in hand with families and, where helpful, the wider care team, so that the progress made in sessions is understood and supported at home. By offering consistent, compassionate support, counselling empowers children and parents alike to navigate challenges with greater understanding, helping to lay a strong foundation for long-term emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Useful Info

Location & Service Areas

Sessions are held at our Play Studio in Essendon, providing a dedicated space for therapeutic play.

However, we understand that attending the Studio may not always be convenient, so we offer outreach services to homes and schools as well. With my background as a teacher and school counsellor, I am well-equipped to work in both school and early childhood settings.

We can travel up to 60 minutes from our office, with the possibility of extending to further locations upon request. Please contact us for more information.

Fees & NDIS funding

A complimentary discovery call is offered to all new clients. Contact us now.

All pricing is in accordance with NDIS price limits and guidelines.

We welcome both NDIS-funded participants and private clients to our services. Whether you are accessing therapy through the NDIS or privately, we are here to support your unique needs. Our goal is to provide high-quality, personalised care, ensuring all clients receive the attention and support they deserve.

Our other services

Individual Play Therapy

Designed for each individual child's unique needs, these sessions utilise a variety of play techniques, such as role-playing, storytelling, art, and sand tray therapy, to provide a safe and expressive environment.

Family Therapy

Designed to include all family members, these sessions aim to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and create a more supportive and cohesive home environment.

School & Care Team Collaboration

Care-team collaboration involves working closely with teachers, educational staff, and other members of a child’s care team to ensure a cohesive and aligned approach to the child’s development and support.

Benefits of Play Therapy

Social Difficulties

Many children struggle with social interactions due to shyness, anxiety, or developmental delays. Play therapy provides an ideal setting for enhancing social skills and building peer relationships. In both individual and group sessions, children engage in activities that promote cooperation, sharing, and effective communication. Group play therapy, in particular, offers opportunities for children to interact with peers in a structured and supportive environment.

These interactions help children develop essential social skills, such as taking turns, resolving conflicts, and building friendships. Play therapy fosters a sense of belonging and confidence in social settings, which can significantly improve a child’s ability to navigate social challenges.

Behavioural Issues

Play therapy is an effective intervention for addressing various behavioural issues in children. By observing children’s play, therapists can identify underlying causes of problematic behaviours and work with the child to develop healthier ways of expression. Structured play activities, such as role-playing and games, encourage children to practice positive behaviours and develop self-control. Through play, children learn to understand the consequences of their actions and develop empathy towards others.

This therapeutic process helps children replace negative behaviours with positive ones, leading to improved relationships and a more harmonious home environment. Consistent play therapy sessions can result in significant behavioural improvements over time.

Trauma and Loss

Children who have experienced trauma or loss often find it challenging to verbalise their feelings. Play therapy offers a safe and supportive space for these children to process difficult experiences. By using symbolic play, such as sand tray therapy or drawing, children can express their emotions and work through their trauma at their own pace.

This therapeutic approach helps children make sense of their experiences, facilitating healing and recovery. Play therapy also provides a secure environment where children feel understood and validated, which is essential for their emotional healing. The therapeutic relationship formed with the therapist can offer additional emotional support and stability during this difficult time.

Anxiety and Depression

Our play therapy services are highly effective in addressing anxiety and depression in children. Through play, children are provided with a non-threatening environment where they can express their fears and worries. Play therapy helps children develop coping mechanisms and resilience by engaging them in activities that foster emotional regulation and problem-solving skills. Techniques such as role-playing and storytelling allow children to explore their emotions and learn strategies to manage anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The therapeutic process helps children build self-confidence and a sense of control over their emotions, which are crucial for overcoming anxiety and depression. Regular sessions can significantly reduce symptoms and improve overall emotional well-being.

Meet Steph, our lead Play Therapist & founder of Bloom

I am Steph, a dedicated educator and play therapist with over a decade of experience in helping children overcome emotional and behavioural challenges. My journey into the world of education and play therapy began with a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families.

More About Steph