Play Therapy, Psychology and Allied Health Services for children and families
When your child is struggling, it is not always easy to know what kind of support they need or where to begin.
Your child may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed or distressed. You may be noticing changes in their behaviour, emotional regulation, confidence, friendships, communication, sensory needs, learning or participation at home, kindergarten or school.
At Play Therapy Melbourne, we help families understand what may be happening underneath the behaviour and identify the right next step.
Our multidisciplinary team provides neuroscience-informed, neuroaffirming and play-based support for children, adolescents and young adults. We work collaboratively with parents, carers, educators and other professionals to help each person feel understood, build skills and participate more confidently in everyday life.
You do not need to know which service to request before contacting us. Tell us what you are noticing, and our team will help you identify an appropriate starting point.
Support for children, young people and families
Our multidisciplinary team offers a range of therapeutic, assessment and support services tailored to each child and family.
Child-Centred Play Therapy
Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling or what has happened to them.
Child-Centred Play Therapy provides children with a developmentally appropriate way to communicate, explore experiences and work through emotional or behavioural difficulties.
Our play-based clinicians support children experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation, grief, trauma, family changes, low confidence, social challenges, separation difficulties and school-related concerns.
Psychology
Our psychologists support children and young people experiencing anxiety, emotional distress, behavioural concerns, trauma, school avoidance, low mood, neurodevelopmental differences and other mental health or wellbeing concerns.
Sessions are adapted to the child’s age, developmental stage, communication style and individual needs. Support may include play-based psychological therapy, counselling, parent consultation and collaboration with schools and other treating professionals.
Eligible children and young people may be able to receive a Medicare rebate for sessions with an eligible registered psychologist following an appropriate medical referral. Eligibility, clinician availability, rebates and out-of-pocket costs should be confirmed before commencing.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy helps children participate more confidently in the activities that make up everyday life.
Support may focus on emotional and sensory regulation, fine and gross motor skills, play, self-care, routines, attention, planning, school participation and independence at home and in the community.
Speech Pathology
Speech Pathology supports children with communication, language, social communication and participation.
Our approach considers the whole child and works collaboratively with families, educators and other members of the child’s support team.
Positive Behaviour Support
Positive Behaviour Support seeks to understand why behaviours of concern may be occurring and what the person may be communicating through their behaviour.
Our practitioners work with the child, family and broader support network to develop respectful, evidence-informed strategies that improve quality of life, reduce distress and create safer and more supportive environments.
Key Worker and Early Childhood Support
Our Key Worker and Early Childhood services provide coordinated, family-centred support for younger children and their families.
The clinician works collaboratively with the family, educators and other professionals to build capacity and support the child’s participation across everyday environments.
Parent and Family Support
Parents and carers can access consultation, coaching and practical support, either alongside their child’s therapy or as a starting point.
These sessions can help families better understand their child’s behaviour, emotional needs and nervous system, develop practical strategies and feel more confident about what to do next.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy incorporates a suitably trained animal into therapeutic support where this is clinically appropriate.
It may help some children and young people feel safer, develop trust, increase engagement and work towards emotional, social and participation goals.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy provides children and young people with a creative and developmentally responsive way to explore emotions, experiences and relationships.
It can be particularly helpful for people who find it difficult to communicate their experiences through words alone.
Adolescent Counselling
Our adolescent counselling services provide young people with a respectful and supportive space to explore anxiety, identity, relationships, emotional wellbeing, school difficulties, grief, trauma and other life challenges.
Sessions may be provided in person or through telehealth, depending on clinical suitability and availability.
Psychological and Diagnotic Assessments
We provide psychological, cognitive, educational, behavioural and diagnostic assessments to help families understand a child’s strengths, needs and developmental or learning profile.
Our team will discuss the purpose of the assessment with the family and recommend an appropriate assessment pathway.
Group and Thriving Futures Programs
Our structured groups and Thriving Futures Programs provide opportunities for children, young people, parents and educators to build practical skills within a supported environment.
Programs may focus on emotional regulation, social participation, school readiness, parent education and understanding children’s nervous systems.
School, Kindergarten and Professional Support
We work with schools, kindergartens and organisations through consultation, professional development, observations, therapeutic outreach and structured programs.
Our team can collaborate with educators and other professionals to support a consistent understanding of the child across environments.
Outreach and Telehealth
Depending on clinician availability and the child’s needs, selected services may be provided in schools, early childhood settings, homes and community environments.
Telehealth is available Australia-wide for suitable psychology, counselling, parent support, professional consultation and selected therapeutic services.
Our Approach
Initial Parent Consultation
Understand your child's goals and needs.
Ongoing Therapy Sessions
Tailored sessions using play-based approaches.
Regular
Reviews
Adjust supports as your child progresses
Reports & Recommendations
Clear documentation for your NDIS plan
NDIS Funding
Services typically fall under Capacity Building Supports, including:
- Improved Daily Living
- Parent support
NDIS Registrations Groups
0110 Behaviour Support, 0118 Early Childhood Supports, 0128 Therapeutic Supports.
Reports
- Initial parent reports
- Support plans
- Recommendations
Fees
Allied health and psychology services are billed in line with current NDIS Pricing Arrangements. For full fee details see our Fees and Funding page.
Funding and Payment Options
Play Therapy Melbourne is a registered NDIS provider. We also work with families accessing Medicare, School Readiness Funding, and private pay. If you are not sure which pathway applies to your family, get in touch and we will help you work it out.
We support agency-managed, plan-managed and self-managed participants where the requested service is consistent with the participant’s plan, goals, available funding and current NDIS requirements.
Services may be delivered under relevant Early Childhood Supports, Therapeutic Supports or Positive Behaviour Support funding, depending on the participant’s needs and the clinician providing the service.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan or other eligible referral does not cover the full PTM session fee, and a gap payment may apply.
Not every PTM clinician or service is eligible for a Medicare rebate. Please contact our team before booking so we can confirm clinician availability, fees and likely rebates..
We also accept referrals and funding from schools, organisations and other approved third parties
TELEHEALTH
Support from where you are.
Telehealth sessions are available across Australia where appropriate, providing flexible access to support.
OUR LOCATIONS
Where we provide support.
We provide clinic-based services in Essendon, Briar Hill and Frankston.
Selected services may also be provided in schools, early learning settings, homes and community environments, subject to clinician availability and clinical suitability.
Telehealth is available Australia-wide for suitable services.
Essendon
31 Gladstone Street, Moonee Ponds
Briar Hill
6/18 Sherbourne Road,
Briar Hill VIC
Frankston
40-42 Playne Street, Frankston
Telehealth
Available across
Australia
Outreach & Community based support
Subject to availability.
Not every service is available at every location. Our enquiries team will help match your child with an appropriate clinician, service and location.