Every child has an innate drive to grow, explore, and connect with the world around them. But just like a plant needs sunlight, water, and rich soil to thrive, children need their core needs met before they can reach their full potential. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a well-known psychological framework, helps us understand these essential building blocks, and coupled with child-centred play therapy offers a powerful way to nurture them.

As parents, it’s natural to want to understand what our children are feeling. When they seem withdrawn, anxious, or upset, we may ask questions like, “How are you feeling?” or “What’s wrong?” in hopes of getting to the heart of the issue. So, when parents bring their child to play therapy, a common question is: Why don’t play therapists just ask children how they feel?

When we think of autism, the typical characteristics that come to mind such as difficulty with social interactions, repetitive behaviours, and sensory sensitivities, are often based on research and diagnostic criteria that were originally developed with boys in mind. As a result, many autistic girls go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed, leading to years of misunderstanding and unmet support needs.

The beginning of a new school year or your child’s first day at kindergarten is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring nerves or anxiety for both children and parents. Transitions like these can feel overwhelming, but with thoughtful preparation, you can help your child feel secure and ready for this new adventure. Here are some practical steps to support your child in the lead-up to school next week and on that all-important first day.

As a busy working parent, finding time to nurture your child’s emotional development can feel overwhelming. But with small, intentional actions, you can build a strong emotional foundation for your child. Grounded in the principles of Child-Centred Play Therapy and informed by leading experts like Dr. Garry Landreth, here are five practical tips to support your child’s emotional growth.

Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and moments of uncertainty. If your child is struggling to navigate their emotions, behaviour, or relationships, you might wonder what steps to take to support them. One therapeutic approach grounded in evidence-based practices and recognised for its profound impact on children’s emotional and developmental well-being is Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT).

The holiday season is often described as “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many families, it can also bring challenges. As a mum to neurodivergent children, I know firsthand how this season’s mix of excitement and overwhelm can affect both parents and kids. While the festive decorations, social gatherings, and holiday traditions can be joyful, they can also feel overstimulating for children—and even for us as parents. Grounded in the principles of Child-Centred Play Therapy, here are some tips to help you navigate this busy time of year with compassion and intention.

When children experience overwhelming emotions, some instinctively respond with a strong fight reaction, which might include yelling, hitting, kicking, or even throwing objects. These intense moments can be incredibly challenging for parents and educators, often leaving them feeling helpless and unsure of how to support their child. It’s essential to remember that the fight response is not about defiance but a protective mechanism triggered when a child feels unsafe or out of control. For many families, this journey can feel isolating and exhausting.

Has your child struggled with other therapies? It might be time to try something different. Here's why Child-Centred Play Therapy could be the answer.

As a parent, it can be disheartening to watch your child struggle to engage in therapies that are supposed to help them. Perhaps they withdraw, refuse to talk, or become restless and disengaged. This is a common experience, especially when traditional therapies are designed to rely on verbal exchanges or tasks that might feel challenging or intimidating for young children. Child-Centred Play Therapy offers a gentle, effective alternative that meets children where they are, fostering growth from the inside out and supporting a child’s development in a way that feels natural and engaging.

Play Therapy and Anxiety: Easing the Transition to School

For many young children, starting school is an exciting milestone, yet it often stirs feelings of worry and anxiety. A gentle approach like play therapy can be incredibly effective for children facing these changes, providing them with a supportive space to express emotions, build confidence, and develop coping strategies in a child-led way. At Inspiring Play: Child and Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we’re here to walk alongside families, helping children ease into school with confidence and resilience.

When children experience trauma, it can often manifest in their behaviour in ways that might look confusing or challenging. Understanding these behaviours can help us as parents, carers, and educators to respond with compassion, rather than frustration. Trauma impacts children differently depending on their age, experiences, and resilience, and each child’s expression of distress is unique.

When considering therapy for your child, there’s so much information out there that it can feel overwhelming. Choosing a therapist isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” task, it’s a deeply personal choice that can shape your child’s emotional well-being and development. Below, I’ll walk through key considerations to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your child’s unique needs.

In the world of parenting, there’s a growing pressure to keep things positive all the time — to always look on the bright side and ensure our children are happy. As well-meaning as this intention might be, constantly striving for “good vibes only” can actually do more harm than good. In Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), we take a different approach: embracing all emotions, because emotional well-being isn’t about perpetual happiness; it’s about learning to feel, process, and navigate the full range of emotions.

As a parent, I get it. You’re doing your best to support your child through big feelings, meltdowns, and challenging behaviours—and some days, it feels like you’re barely holding it together. I’ve been there too, navigating the stormy seas of parenthood with young children. It’s exhausting trying to figure out why your child is acting out, what they need, and how to help them feel calm and safe. But the good news is you’re not alone, and play therapy can offer real support in helping children with emotional regulation.

As parents, it's natural to want quick solutions when your child is struggling. Whether it’s anxiety, behavioural challenges, or emotional overwhelm, the instinct to seek out something that works right away is completely understandable. Many parents expect a directive approach to therapy—where the therapist tells the child what to do or how to behave—and when they hear about Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), they may wonder, How can this really help if the child is just playing?

Parenting can feel like a never-ending series of questions. "Is this normal?" "How can I help my child manage their big emotions?" "Am I doing enough?" One powerful way to support your child’s emotional development and mental wellbeing is through Child-Centred Play Therapy. But what exactly is it, and how can it help your child? Let's break it down.

As a parent, it can be incredibly overwhelming when you start to feel that your child might not be reaching certain milestones or developing in the way you expected. I remember feeling completely lost when I first had concerns about my own child’s development. I didn’t know where to begin or who to turn to for support. I wanted to do everything I could to help, but I found myself bouncing from one therapy to the next, hoping to find the answers. If you’re in this situation right now, I want you to know that you’re not alone—and that taking things one step at a time is the best approach.

Parenting a child with developmental delays is a journey filled with hope, stress, and moments of uncertainty. As a parent who has walked this path, I understand firsthand the emotional rollercoaster that comes with supporting your child’s therapeutic journey. I vividly remember the overwhelming feeling of shuffling from one therapist to the next, desperately searching for that elusive “quick fix” that would magically solve my child's challenges. If only I had known back then that progress takes time—and that this journey is more like running a marathon than a sprint.

Parenting can feel like navigating a never-ending maze, especially when you’re raising young children or kids with neurodiverse challenges. Gentle parenting, also known as emotionally connected parenting, offers a refreshing approach. Instead of focusing on control or punishment, gentle parenting prioritises building an emotional connection with your child, fostering their emotional intelligence, and nurturing their sense of self-worth.

As parents and educators, we know that children experience a wide range of emotions—sometimes all in a single day! Helping children navigate these emotions in a healthy way is crucial for their emotional development. Two approaches that provide valuable tools for supporting children's emotional wellbeing are Emotion Coaching and Child-Centred Play Therapy. Both are grounded in compassion, empathy, and understanding, offering parents and educators powerful strategies to guide children through their feelings.