Helping Families in Transition

Separation and divorce can be challenging times for families, especially when conflict is high and children are caught in the middle. At Inner Wisdom Counselling and Wellbeing, we work with families in transition to provide safe, supportive, and evidence-based child-centred therapy for children. This FAQ page is designed to answer common questions about how play therapy supports children and caregivers in separated or divorced family systems. While professionals may refer to these situations as “high conflict family systems,” our focus is always on helping families navigate change with clarity, compassion, and practical strategies that protect children’s wellbeing.

By reviewing this information before your initial screening call, you will gain a clearer understanding of:

• How play therapy works for young children experiencing family transitions
• The role of parents and caregivers in the therapeutic process
• Consent, confidentiality, and legal requirements (including parental responsibility and court orders)
• The importance of session consistency, closure, and evidence‑based recommendations for therapeutic progress
• What to expect during the first steps, including the 10‑minute screening call, intake, and parent consultation.

Our goal is to ensure that families feel informed, supported, and confident as they begin the therapeutic journey.

Child‑Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence‑based approach that views play as the natural language of children. In CCPT, the therapist provides a safe, consistent environment where children can freely express feelings, explore experiences, and build coping strategies through play. Research shows that CCPT helps children develop trust, emotional regulation, and resilience; all of which are especially important during times of family change.

At Inner Wisdom Counselling and Wellbeing, we draw on a range of evidence‑based and integrative play therapy approaches to support children navigating separation, divorce, or high‑conflict family transitions. Each approach is selected to meet the unique needs of the child and family system:

• Attachment‑informed play therapy: Strengthens the parent‑child relationship and provides a sense of security during times of transition.
• TraumaPlay and trauma‑informed lens: Supports children who may feel overwhelmed by conflict or separation, helping them process experiences safely and build resilience.
• Filial family play therapy: Involves caregivers directly, teaching therapeutic play skills that reinforce connection and emotional safety at home.
• Neuroaffirming approaches (AutPlay‑informed): Ensure therapy is inclusive and respectful of each child’s identity, neurodiversity, and cultural background.
• Interpersonal neurobiology and nervous system awareness: Helps children regulate emotions by understanding how stress and safety are experienced in the body, supporting long‑term wellbeing.

By combining Child‑Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) with these integrative approaches, we create a flexible framework that honours each child’s developmental stage, family context, and individual strengths. The goal is always to protect children’s wellbeing, foster secure relationships, and equip caregivers with practical strategies to support healing, growth, and connection

• Initial Screening Call (10 minutes): We start with a brief phone call to clarify your children’s needs, provide information about the play therapy process, and answer any immediate questions. 
• Intake Forms: A link to intake and consent forms will be forwarded if you wish to pursue therapy services.
• Parent Consultation (90 minutes): Before commencing therapy sessions, I meet with you (and, where possible, both parents) to gather background information, discuss goals, and ensure alignment with any legal or court requirements.

• If both parents share parental responsibility, consent from each is required unless a court order specifies otherwise. 
• Where applicable, I will request a copy of relevant documentation (e.g., parenting orders, consent orders) to ensure therapy proceeds in line with legal obligations.
• Documentation of consent and acknowledgement of parental authority is securely stored as part of ethical record‑keeping within the Client Management System, Zanda. Please refer to the Inner Wisdom Counselling and Wellbeing Privacy Policy for further information.

• Commitment to a Minimum of 5 Sessions: A minimum of five sessions is required to establish therapeutic trust and safety. This commitment ensures children have the continuity they need to feel secure in the playroom. 
• Closure Sessions: At least two sessions are dedicated to closure, helping children consolidate their progress and transition out of therapy in a safe, supported way. 
• Cancellations or Early Closure: If sessions are cancelled or therapy is ceased before the agreed minimum or closure sessions are completed, children may experience disruption or unfinished therapeutic work. For this reason, families are asked to commit to the agreed framework and provide notice if circumstances change, so that a safe and supported closure can be arranged. Please refer to the Inner Wisdom Counselling and Wellbeing Payment and Cancellation Policy for further information. 
• Baseline Recommendation of 10 Sessions: Research and Child‑Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) therapeutic stages indicate that approximately 10 sessions provide a more complete framework for rapport‑building, therapeutic exploration, and closure.
• Developmental Needs: Play is children's natural language. Consistent sessions allow them to express emotions symbolically, build coping strategies, and strengthen resilience.
• Ongoing Parent Communication: Regular updates are provided to parents, focusing on themes, patterns, and progress while protecting the child’s confidentiality. A parent consultation will be conducted after every 5 sessions, or every 3 sessions in some circumstances.

Parent Consultations are a vital part of the play therapy process. They ensure that therapy is not only child‑focused but also responsive to the wider family context. In these sessions:

• Parents share background information, family history, and current concerns.
• Therapeutic goals are co‑created so that parents understand what therapy is aiming to support.
• Risks such as family conflict, safety concerns, or court orders are identified and addressed.
• Parents receive guidance on how to support their child’s emotional needs at home, reinforcing therapeutic progress.

Parental Involvement and Commitment are essential for therapy to be effective:

• Children thrive when parents are consistent in bringing them to sessions and supporting the therapeutic process.
• Commitment to the agreed minimum number of sessions (with closure sessions included) helps children feel safe, supported, and able to complete the therapeutic cycle.
• Parents are encouraged to view therapy as a collaborative journey, where their role in providing stability and encouragement outside the playroom is just as important as the sessions themselves.

• Confidentiality: Children’s play content remains private. Parent updates focus on themes, patterns, and progress rather than specific details, with clear limits around mandatory reporting obligations. 
• Risk Screening: The initial consultation includes screening for family violence, child safety concerns, or ongoing litigation to ensure therapy proceeds safely.
• Professional Boundaries: Therapy is child‑focused and not a forum for parental disputes. Reports for court are not automatically provided unless specifically contracted and ethically appropriate.
• Record Keeping: All consent forms, notes, and correspondence are securely stored in line with privacy legislation. Please refer to the Inner Wisdom Counselling and Wellbeing Privacy Policy for further information.