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About Nurture Play Therapy

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At Nurture Play Therapy, we aim to provide a comprehensive range of therapeutic services designed to facilitate growth in the well-being of children, adolescents, and caregivers.

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Our mission is to create a secure, therapeutic setting that fully empowers children to harness their unique potential.

We appreciate the diversity of each individual and family. We strive to offer the support and guidance necessary for the journey towards improved mental health and stronger family and community connections.

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​Through the medium of play, children receive therapeutic support to express and navigate their inner emotions and real-world experiences. Symbols and metaphors are used to symbolically act out complex and challenging feelings, thoughts, and perceptions.

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Nurture Play Therapy follows a non-directive Play Therapy approach, which means therapists refrain from giving instructions or being directive with the child by asking questions. Instead, we follow the child's lead, placing trust in their ability to communicate in their preferred manner and at their own pace.

 

We immerse ourselves in the child's world of play, offering empathy, acceptance, authenticity, and reflection. We offer a model for emotional regulation and therapeutic insights.

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At Nurture Play Therapy, we hope to empower children to examine their challenges from multiple angles, fostering confidence, self-awareness, and understanding. Over time, Play Therapy helps create new neural pathways in the brain, shape new narratives, and facilitate the development of new coping strategies and ways of being.

 

About Annika

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I am Annika; after completing my Master's degree in Child Play Therapy at Deakin University and with 17 years experience in early childhood education, I opened Nurture Play Therapy.

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My practice is informed by neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, trauma and childhood development theories. I use empathy, attunement, mindfulness and nervous system regulation to help children, young people, and their important adults integrate challenging experiences and emotions. I use a holistic, collaborative approach and work closely with families and the systems that surround children to build strong relationships.

Creative Class

The Play Room

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The playroom is a space filled with a diverse array of thoughtfully chosen toys and materials catering to various developmental needs.

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These resources encompass various categories such as craft and sensory materials, musical instruments, games, and carefully selected toys, all of which are designed to facilitate a broad spectrum of expressive, imaginative, and realistic play experiences. 

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Kids Playing with Lego
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Play Therapy Promotes

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Understanding and integration of complex experiences

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Insight into self and healthy ways of communicating and connecting

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Increased confidence and self-esteem

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 Regulation

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 Emotional development

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 Problem-solving and collaboration

 

 Flexibility and resilience

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 Play Therapy
Can Support

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 Traumatic experiences (abuse, loss, neglect, illness or medical trauma, natural disasters)

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 Autism Spectrum Disorder

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 Family complexity and separation

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 Social and relational challenges

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 ADHD

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 Emotional and behavioural

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 Difficulties

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 Grief and loss

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 Developmental delays

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 Sensory sensitivities and toileting challenges

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Location: 62 Tamar Street, Ballina, NSW.

Bundjalung Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land in which we work and recognise their continued custodianship and connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their Elders, past, present and emerging as the holders of knowledge.

©2023 by Nurture Play Therapy. 

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