Counselling and Play Therapy Services
About
'A Little Room To Breathe' is a small rural counselling practise with a big heart. I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Play Therapist, and EMDR practitioner with over 20 years experience across disability, mental health, trauma, and education settings.
I understand how crazy this life can feel and believe that everyone is doing the very best they can with the resources available. Sometimes though, we need the right space and the right listener to help us shine!
Counselling services provided are:
- Welcoming of all ages!
- Individualized to meet clients needs and strengths.
-Apply a mix of the very best mental health, trauma focused, and attachment based approaches.
-Packaged within a range of playful and expressive modalities.to enhance receptivity and fun.
-Can be offered via telehealth or office based sessions to suit your preference.
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What modalities do i use?
No client is the same, and so treatment plans need to be tailored to meet the unique needs of each person. Some of my approaches include:
Focused Psychological Strategies
I am trained in a range of evidence based treatment strategies which may alleviate many mental health struggles. As part of your mental health plan, treatment may include psycho-education, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural interventions, relaxation and skills training (such as problem solving, anger management, social skills, communication, stress management, and parenting support).
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
This is a structured technique used to resolve issues with trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, substance use, depression and more. It can reduce the need for clients to explain their traumatic experiences by working directly with the brain's natural capacity for reprocessing information. This means that thoughts, emotions and body sensations can be targeted in treatment for quick and effective reduction of symptoms. This modality has suitability for many clients; including infants and young children who have been exposed to traumatic experiences. This technique has many other applications apart from trauma including increased capacity for future behavioural changes, managing addiction, or even weight loss.
Play Therapies:
I have completed trainings across a wide range of Play Therapy Methods which include:
- Child Centered Play Therapy
- Filial Play Therapy
- Synergetic Play Therapy®️
- TraumaPlay®️
- Theraplay®️
- Family Play Therapy
- CBT Play Therapy
- Directive Play Therapy Techniques
As play is the natural communication of the child, Play Therapies are frequently integrated with many other psychological therapies such as EMDR, family therapy, narrative therapy, CBT, ACT, DBT, and focussed psychological strategies relevant to mental health recovery.
Other Expressive Modalities:
-Sandtray
-Trauma Informed Expressive Arts
-Movement for Trauma
-Small Figures work (based on Psychodrama Principles)
Acknowledgement
'A Little Room to Breathe' is proud of its connection to Dja Dja Wurrung country. A place which has inspired a sense of awe, playfulness, mindfulness, and creativity.
I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the traditional custodians and elders (past, present, and emerging) for continued opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow.
I recognize the vibrancy of culture which emanates from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; as well as their strength which continues to withstand the atrocities of colonisation.