Group Therapy

Play Therapy Melbourne runs groups in its clinics throughout the year and facilitates groups in many schools and organisations across Melbourne. Group programs are available at multiple locations and enrolments are now open. 

Our Group Programs

Thank you for your interest in our Group Programs.


Our Group programs have been collaboratively designed, using evidence-based approaches, by our multi-disciplinary team including Mental Health Clinicians, Educators and Occupational Therapists. We are proud to be listed on the Victorian Education Departments Menu of Evidence for School Readiness Funding for our Brain Power Program. We have a high ratio of facilitators to children and maintain small group sizes so that each child can benefit from close therapeutic support and scaffolding to practice their skills among their peers and gain confidence within a dynamic “real-world” social learning environment. And of course, it is fun!

We are currently taking enrolments for our Brain Power – School Readiness Program

2023 – 2024.

Brain Power School Readiness Program
4-6 years old

Play Therapy Melbourne’s School Readiness Program is specifically designed and facilitated by experienced educators and credentialed play therapists to support children with the social and emotional skills they require to transition into Primary School.

 

The Program curriculum integrates both intentional teaching and child-led approaches and experiences and is based on the individual needs and interests of the children attending. These play-based experiences include art, craft, construction, movement, music, stories, role-play, games, mindfulness, and relaxation. Children are also supported to be more independent and confident in their learning, develop emotional and social regulation and increase their capacity to self-care.

 

We have a high ratio of facilitators to children and small class sizes remain so that each child can benefit from close therapeutic support and scaffolding to practice their skills among their peers and gain confidence within a dynamic “real-world” social learning environment.  And of course, it is fun!

 

Programs have been collaboratively designed, using evidence-based approaches, by our multi-disciplinary team, including input from occupational therapists and speech pathologists who observe portions of the group.

 

At the conclusion of the Program, parents/carers will receive a personalised report and recommendations to support your child’s transition into Prep.

Small group size. NDIS approved provider.

Social Group
7 – 11 years old

Our small group experience offers children 7-11 years, the opportunity to engage within a social space in group challenges and innovative and creative play across eight engaging sessions. Led by our wonderful team of experienced Facilitators, children are invited to create and explore play, games, and design with a range of materials, props, and resources. We empower children to connect and collaborate with their peers while promoting confidence and self-advocacy. We foster a child-led, safe, and inclusive space for children to express themselves, interact and problem-solve.

 

 

Each session offers opportunity for a unique experience and exploration with different themes to explore and materials to ignite inspiration for play, improvisation, and creation where children can interact and expand ideas together, guided by prompts and supported by our Facilitators. Throughout sessions, we support children’s regulation and interoception awareness through modelling and shifting attention. Children are invited to work together, extend themselves and navigate social spaces on their own terms through a strengths-based and affirming approach.

 

 

Our program consists of an initial phone consultation, development of a support plan, eight x one and half hour sessions, an individual feedback report, and final phone consult.

 

 

We are guided by neuro-divergent affirming principles and promote and support access and inclusion.

Small group size. NDIS approved provider.

Upcoming group dates

Brain Power School Readiness Program
4-6 years old

We are currently taking enrolments for our Brain Power – School Readiness Program for 2023 – 2024.

 
Term 4

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Frankston

Dates: Wednesdays: October 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

 

January – Holiday Programs

Block 1:

Eltham, Moonee Ponds, Frankston, Geelong

Dates: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12

Block 2:

Eltham, Moonee Ponds
Dates: January 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

2024

Term 1 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Tuesdays: February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: February 8, 15, 22, 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Frankston

Dates: Wednesdays: February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20 27

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

 
Term 1 – School Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds, Frankston

Dates: April 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Term 2 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 17  

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Frankston

Dates: Wednesdays: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

 
Term 2 – School Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds, Frankston

Dates: July 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Term 3 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: July 22, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9   

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 , September 5, 12  

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Frankston

Dates: Wednesdays: July 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21, 28, September 4, 11

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

 
Term 3 – School Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds, Frankston

Dates: September 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, October 1, 2, 3

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Term 4 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25   

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: October 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Frankston

Dates: Wednesdays: October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27

Time: 9.30am – 12pm

Our School Readiness Programs are very popular and fill fast.  Your child’s place will not be confirmed until we have received payment of the initial invoice.  
 
If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact Play Therapy Melbourne on 9439 2450 or email groups@playtherapymelbourne.com to confirm your interest and arrange a time to talk with one of our Facilitators.  
Costs

Fee Structure: 8 x 2.5hr group sessions, 2 x Parent consults, Supportive resources to use at home, and final report $2111.95 to be invoiced in 3 instalments. *Please note your space is not confirmed until the initial invoice has been paid. 

Social Group
7 – 11 years old

Our Social Group is an 8-session program, with each session lasting 1.5 hours.

 
Term 4

Moonee Ponds

October: Mondays – 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

Eltham

October: Thursdays – 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

 

January – Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds

Block 1:
Dates: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12

Block 2:
Dates: January 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25

Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm

2024

Term 1 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Tuesdays: February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26

Time: 4pm to 5:30pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: February 8, 15, 22, 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 4pm to 5:30pm

 
Term 1 – School Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds,

Dates: April 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12

Time: 2pm- 3:30pm

Term 2 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 17  

Time: 2pm-3:30pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20

Time: 2pm-3:30pm

 
Term 2 – School Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds

Dates: July 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12

Time: 2pm –  3:30pm

Term 3 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: July 22, 29 August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9    

Time: 4pm – 5:30pm

Eltham

Dates: Thursdays: July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 , September 5, 12  

Time: 4pm-5:30pm

 
Term 3 – School Holiday Program

Eltham, Moonee Ponds

Dates: September 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, October 1, 2, 3

Time: 2pm – 3:30pm

Term 4 – Program

Moonee Ponds

Dates: Mondays: October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25   

Time: 4pm – 5:30pm

Costs

 

Total Cost: $1267.17 which is paid across three individual installments; the first invoice during the enrolment process, the second invoice when commencing sessions and the third invoice at the end of session finalisation.

 

Play Therapy Melbourne is an NDIS approved provider.

Brain Power - School Readiness Program

The goal of our evidence informed program is to create a strong foundation to ensure that your child’s transition and experience to Prep is a positive one. Our program is offered to children aged from 4-6 years old and is facilitated by qualified and experienced Clinicians from our highly skilled team. We offer small groups, with a high ratio of facilitators to ensure your child’s experience is a supportive and individualised one. Our School Readiness Program curriculum integrates both intentional teaching with child-led approaches and experiences and is based on the individual needs and interests of the children attending. These play-based experiences include art, craft, construction, movement, music, stories, role-play, games, mindfulness, and relaxation. Children are supported to develop their independence and confidence in their approach to interactions and engagement in learning. They will have opportunities to learn about and practice regulation strategies and increase their awareness of self and others.

 

Prior to your child’s enrolment in our Program, we will conduct a parent information-gathering session on the phone or via Microsoft Teams, so that we can understand your child’s unique goals and create a tailored support plan which will inform the focus of our Group work with them. Upon completion of the group (8 sessions) you will receive a feedback report outlining your child’s progress and including recommendations. You will also have the opportunity to go through this report with one of your child’s facilitators to discuss your child’s experience in the program.

 

Fee Structure: 8 x 2.5hr group sessions, 2 x Parent consults, Supportive resources to use at home, and final report$2111.95 to be invoiced in 3 instalments. *Please note your space is not confirmed until the initial invoice has been paid.

The School Readiness Program curriculum integrates both intentional teaching and child-led approaches and experiences and is based on the individual needs and interests of the children attending. Children are supported to develop their independence and confidence in their approach to interactions and engagement in learning through play-based experiences. They will have opportunities to learn about and practice regulation strategies and increase their awareness of self and others, engage in social play, structured group time activities exploring emotions, friendship.

The 5 Pillars of VEYLD

The 5 Pillars of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework to support all professionals who work with children aged 0 to 8 years of age are ingrained into the School Readiness Framework throughout the program, informing our curriculum focusing on different areas.

 

The following is an outline of each sessions focus informed by the 5 pillars of Early Education:

  • Developing routines
  • Identity
  • Developing a sense of self in relation to others
  • Developing Self-Regulation strategies
  • Sensory Exploration
  • Sharing and developing friendship
  • Imaginary/ pretend play skills
  • developmentIdentifying emotions in self and others

 

A child’s Social and emotional wellbeing is sometimes referred to as a child’s mental health. This comes from children feeling safe, secure and valued, ensuring they able to meet challenges, express and regulate a range of emotions, explore their environment, and form secure relationships, all within the context of their age and developmental stage.

Brain Power: Social Group

Our Brain Power Social Group Runs across our Clinics across terms and as intensives over the holiday period. Please visit our website for upcoming dates.

 

This is an inclusive and reflective approach to exploring a range of innovative activities as a whole group, in partners or small teams across eight exciting sessions. Children are given opportunities and support to interact, communicate, problem solve and collaborate through creative games and challenges and open-ended play. Our engaging and hands on experiences are planned together with Allied Health and Metal Health Professionals and experienced Educators to develop confidence, autonomy, agency and the ability to self-advocate through exploring and understanding of children’s own strengths, needs and boundaries. We offer a safe, child-led space to share ideas and be heard, to negotiate and compromise and to adapt and increase flexibility by supporting children to create and practice strategies and supports according to their own interests and needs. We encourage and model interoception and self-regulation by integrating Brain Aligned Strategies throughout our eight sessions. Our program meets children where they are at providing individualised and strengths-based care through developing and nurturing rapport and responding to changing needs throughout the Program.

We run group programs across the year in our clinics and in outreach.

Please email us to be added to the waitlist – or let your school know if you are interested in having outreach at your child’s school.