Little Steps,
Big Impact.
Child-centered Play Therapy Services
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based therapeutic intervention that allows children to address difficulties and achieve growth. It allows the child to express their feelings, process emotions and experiences and develop coping skills through their natural language, play.
Children often communicate best through play. Toys, art, stories, and imaginative play become the “language” your child uses to explore emotions, build coping skills, and work through challenges in a safe and supportive environment.
Play therapy acknowledges the child’s developmental age and stage, allowing them to communicate through toys and their play.
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Children often don’t have the words to explain what they’re feeling or what they’re going through. Play therapy allows children to express themselves in the way that comes most naturally to them — through play. In the playroom, your child is offered a safe, accepting space where they can explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences using toys, art, stories, and imaginative play. Rather than being directed, children are supported to lead their own play, choosing what feels right for them in each session.
As a play therapist, I stay emotionally present with your child, responding with warmth, curiosity, and respect. Through this secure therapeutic relationship, children can begin to make sense of their inner world, process experiences, and develop healthier ways of coping.
Over time, play therapy can support children to build emotional awareness, confidence, self-regulation, and resilience. Each child’s journey is unique, and progress unfolds at their own pace.
Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process. Through regular parent consultations and review sessions, we work together to support your child both in and outside the playroom.
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Child Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is generally best suited for children aged 2-12 years old age. Play Therapy can be beneficial for all children, however, it is most beneficial for those who:
Have difficulties understanding and regulating their emotions (including anxiety, anger, frustration, sadness)
Have social difficulties (challenges interacting in a social environments, bullying)
Have developmental and learning difficulties (including ADHD and ASD)
Experience situational circumstances (deployment, divorce, grief, loss, illness)
Experience abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, verbal)
Have attachment difficulties
Have experienced Trauma
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Increase problem solving abilities
Build social skills
Increase self-confidence and self-worth
Behavioural and emotional regulation
Increase resilience
Self-acceptance
Self-control
Better world view and understanding the perspectives of others
Meet your trusted Play Therapist, Tayla.
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Bachelor of Psychology (Advanced) Honours - University of Adelaide
Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care - Tafe
Certificate in Play Therapy Studies - Kylie Ellison Training and Therapy
Completion of Advanced Clinical Skills Workshop - Kylie Ellison Training and Therapy
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Certified Associate Member of Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
Fortnightly/Monthly supervision with PTPA recognised Play Therapy Supervisor
Working with Children Check
Tayla is a child-centred play therapist who is passionate about supporting children and families through times of emotional difficulty and change. She believes that children do their best when they feel safe, understood, and accepted.
Play Therapy Appointments and Fees
Initial Parent Consultation:
The first session is an opportunity for parent/s and caregiver/s to meet with me without the child present. Parent consultations are an important first step in the therapeutic process. This session provides a safe space for us to talk openly before play therapy sessions with your child begins.
We will discuss your concerns, your child’s developmental history, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This session helps determine whether play therapy is the right fit and allows us to plan the next steps together.
You’re also welcome to ask questions, get to know me, and gain a sense of the play therapy process, so you can feel comfortable and supported moving forward.
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: In-person or via phone
Cost: $100
Play Therapy Session:
Your child’s play therapy sessions are child-led and provide a safe, supportive space for them to express their thoughts and feelings through play. The playroom is filled with carefully selected toys and creative materials that allow children to explore emotions, build coping skills and work through challenges at their own pace.
In the playroom your child will engage in play that feels natural and comfortable to them. This may be done through pretend play, art or simply exploring in their own way. Their play in the playroom often reflects what is happening in their inner world.
A trusting relationship will be built in the playroom. This accepting and safe environment allows your child to begin to process feelings and build new ways on coping and emotionally regulating.
It is encouraged that parent/s and caregiver/s wait in the reception area or nearby while your child is in their play therapy session.
Duration: 45 Minutes
Occurrence: Weekly or fortnightly
Location: In-person (in-clinic or school/kindergarten)
Cost: $180
Parent Review Session:
Every 5-6 play therapy sessions, we will schedule and meet for a parent review session. These sessions provide time to reflect on themes emerging in your child’s play therapy sessions and check in on progress over time.
Parent review sessions are also the time to discuss any changes you have noticed at home or school and any changes in their behaviours or emotions.
We work together throughout the play therapy process and these sessions allow us to collaborate and support the child together. We can revisit goals, explore questions and consider the best path moving forward to support your child.
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Occurrence: Every 5-6 sessions
Location: In-person or via phone
Cost: $100
Other Fees:
Play Therapy Stakeholder meetings: $180 per hour. As requested
Play Therapy Progress Report (1-2 hr): $180 per hour. As requested
You can learn more about our payments and policies here.
Additional Services
School and Kindergarten Play Therapy Services:
Little Steps Play Therapy now offers outreach services to schools and kindergartens across Adelaide, bringing play therapy directly to children in their educational setting.
Receiving therapy in a familiar environment can reduce the stress of travelling to appointments and allows children to access support where they spend much of their day. It also creates opportunities to work collaboratively with educators and families to help children feel supported across different environments.
Services include:
Initial parent consult session - in person or via phone
Regular play therapy sessions during school hours
Parent review feedback sessions every 4-6 sessions
Consultation and collaboration with educators (with parent/guardian consent)
Requirements:
Access to a private, confidential space for sessions
Parent/caregiver engagement and consent for child
Services are available to any school, kindergarten or early learning centres that can provide and support on-site therapy appointments. Travel is available across Adelaide CBD and Northern and Western suburbs.
If you are a school, kindergarten or parent interested in arranging on-site play therapy services, please get in touch to discuss availability and how Little Steps Play Therapy can support your child or educational community.
Duration: 45 minutes
Occurrence: Weekly or fortnightly
Location: In-person (on-site)
Cost: $180 plus travel fee
Frequently Asked Questions
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Play Therapy is best suited for children aged 2 years and older. Many children benefit from play therapy, particularly if they are finding it difficult to express their thoughts or feelings through words alone.
Play therapy provides a safe, supportive space where children can explore emotions, experiences, and challenges at their own pace, using play as their natural language.
Play therapy can be especially helpful for children who are experiencing big emotions, changes at home or school, anxiety, behavioural challenges, or the effects of stressful or overwhelming experiences.
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Little Steps Play Therapy is registered as an NDIS provider currently. This means we are unable to support clients who are managed by the NDIA. We can however, support individuals who are self-managed or plan-managed NDIS participants.
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At this stage, play therapy services are unable to be rebated through Medicare or private health insurance. However, we do accept private paying clients or NDIS self-managed or plan-managed participants.
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The length of play therapy varies depending on each child’s individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Some children may benefit from short-term support, while others may need longer-term therapy to work through more complex experiences.
Sessions usually occur weekly and progress is reviewed regularly to ensure therapy continues to meet your child’s needs.
Play therapy is not a quick fix, but a gentle process that supports lasting emotional growth at your child’s own pace.
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Play therapy sessions are typically attended by the child on their own, as this allows them the space to express themselves freely through play.
Parents and caregivers remain an important part of the therapeutic process and are supported through regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and guidance on how to support their child at home.
In some situations, parent involvement may be included within sessions when it is in the best interests of the child.