Play Therapy Service

Grampians Clinical and Child Psychology is pleased to announce the introduction of their play therapy service. Play is a child’s natural language and toys are their ‘words’. Research has consistently shown that play therapy can help increase children’s’ independence, decrease anxiety and oppositional behaviour and improve mood and family relationships. 

For difficulties including OCD, specific phobias and children in crisis situations play therapy will not be the most appropriate approach. However, it can be very effective for:

• Young children (approximately aged 4-8)
• Building social skills and self-confidence in Autistic children
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Illness and medical trauma
• Emotional dysregulation
• Increasing independence and self confidence
• Behavioural concerns

Catherine has worked  in the well regarded Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne) Learning Differences Centre, as well as running the learning and developmental assessment division in a busy practice in Melbourne. She has worked for the Department of Education and Training, and has relationships with many of the schools across the Wimmera.

Anne has worked for many years in special education and wellbeing before training as a Psychologist. She has an excellent understanding of learning difficulties and school based approaches to assisting children with different learning needs.

Both Catherine and Anne are experienced in assessing and assisting  children with:

• Specific learning disorders (e.g. dyslexia)
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
  
• Intellectual Disability
  
• Giftedness

Many parents have a series of assessment reports but are unsure how to use these to help their child. We work closely with teachers and schools to ensure your child's assessment translates into an effective learning plan.

Read more about learning difficulties and about red flags for learning difficulties.