Child Counselling & Play Therapy (Ages 2-12)

Helping children feel safe, understood, and supported is at the heart of our work. Through child counselling and play therapy, we support children aged 2-12 years as they navigate big emotions, anxiety, behavioural challenges, friendship difficulties, grief, and life transitions.

We provide child counselling and play therapy for children and families in Redcliffe, Margate, Scarborough, Clontarf, Kippa-Ring, Rothwell, North Lakes, and across the Moreton Bay region.

Is This Service Right for My Child?

We support children aged 2 to 12 years experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, and developmental challenges.

Child counselling and child-centred play therapy may help children experiencing:

• Anxiety and worries
• Big feelings and emotional regulation difficulties
•  Behavioural challenges
•  Friendship and social difficulties
•  School-related concerns
•  Family separation and divorce
•  Grief and loss
•  Low self-esteem and confidence
•  Trauma and adjustment difficulties
•  Major life transitions

Child counselling and play therapy can help children build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, improve relationships, and develop healthy coping skills.

How Can Inner Wisdom Counselling and Wellbeing Help My Child?

At Inner Wisdom Counselling & Wellbeing, we support children to feel safe, seen, and heard. Through evidence-based, developmentally appropriate play therapy and trauma-informed child counselling, children are gently supported to explore their emotions, make sense of their experiences, and reconnect with their strengths.

We honour the unique inner wisdom of every child and build trusting relationships that foster healing, growth, and connection.

What is Child Counselling and Play Therapy?

Play is a child's natural language. Through play, children can communicate thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to express in words.

Our approach is:

• Developmentally appropriate
•  Attachment-informed
•  Trauma-informed
•  Neuroaffirming
•  Strengths-based
•  Relationship-focused

We tailor therapy to each child's unique needs, drawing from both counselling and child-centred play therapy approaches. Depending on your child's age, strengths, needs, and goals, sessions may include child-led play, structured therapeutic activities, conversation-based counselling, and parent support.

Drawing on the therapeutic powers of play, we create opportunities for children to express themselves, process experiences, develop emotional resilience, strengthen relationships, and build confidence in their own abilities.

Why Inner Wisdom Matters for Your Child

We believe every child is born with an inner wisdom; a deep, natural sense of what they feel, need, and who they are. This wisdom shows up in their play, their emotions, their behaviour, and even in their silences.

But when children experience stress, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection, that inner voice can become difficult to hear. They may struggle to express what is happening inside or communicate their needs through behaviour.

Through therapeutic play, emotional attunement, and a safe, responsive relationship, we help children:

• Feel emotionally safe and understood
•  Express and process their feelings
•  Reconnect with their inner knowing
•  Strengthen relationships with themselves and the people who care for them.

We use the power of play as a healing language, helping children make sense of their experiences and build emotional resilience from the inside out.

We invite you to read our blog: The Therapeutic Powers of Play: How Play Therapy Helps Children Heal and Grow.

What Caregivers Can Expect

You are an important part of your child's therapeutic journey. We work alongside parents and caregivers to build emotional safety, understanding, and connection.

Our approach includes:

• Initial parent consultations to understand your child's needs
•  A child-centred process that moves at your child's pace
•  Ongoing support and feedback
•  Relational repair and co-regulation strategies to strengthen connection at home.

Together, we create a space where your child's emotional world can unfold and be understood without judgement or pressure.

Structure of Sessions

Sessions are scheduled in alignment with school terms.

A minimum of five sessions is required when working directly with children. Ethical practice recognises that children need time to build trust and feel emotionally safe within the therapeutic relationship. Consistent attendance supports the development of a secure therapeutic foundation from which meaningful change can occur.

While every child is different, we generally recommend a commitment of approximately 10 sessions. This allows time for the therapeutic relationship to develop and for children to engage more fully in the process of healing, growth, and self-discovery.

Parent consultation sessions are scheduled throughout the therapeutic process to review progress, discuss your child's evolving needs, and collaboratively consider recommendations for ongoing support and future sessions.

Supporting Families Through Separation, Divorce and Conflict

If your family is navigating separation, divorce, or ongoing conflict, additional considerations apply when engaging a child in therapy.

Please review our information for separated families before making a booking.

Learn more about Supporting Families in Transition: Separation, Divorce and Conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is child counselling suitable for?

Our child counselling and play therapy services are designed for children aged 2-12 years.

Do parents attend sessions?

Parents and caregivers play an important role in the therapeutic process. Parent consultations are incorporated throughout therapy to support your child's progress and strengthen connection at home.

How many sessions will my child need?

Every child is unique. While some children benefit from shorter-term support, we generally recommend an initial commitment of approximately 10 sessions to allow the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic process to develop.

What is the difference between child counselling and play therapy?

Play therapy uses play as a developmentally appropriate way for children to express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills. Child counselling may also incorporate conversation, creative activities, and therapeutic interventions depending on the child's age and needs.

How do I know if my child may benefit from counselling?

Children may benefit from counselling if they are experiencing anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioural challenges, friendship issues, family changes, grief and loss, low confidence, or significant life transitions.