About Child-Centred Play Therapy
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Child‑Centred Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate, theory-driven approach that meets children in their natural mode of communication - play. When children don’t yet have the words to describe their feelings and experiences, the therapist uses play to help them express what’s going on inside. In this context, toys become the child’s words, and their play becomes the language through which they share and process their inner world.
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Play Therapy is suitable for a diverse range of children. The approach can be a wonderful support for children who have/are experiencing:
Behavioural concerns (Meltdowns, defiance, withdrawal etc.)
Bullying and harassment
Difficulty expressing verbally
Domestic and family violence
Emotional and mental health concerns
Exposure to traumatic events
Grief and loss
Physical, emotional and verbal abuse
Sexual abuse and sexualised behaviours
Significant life changes (Parent separation, relocation, new sibling, new school etc.)
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Emotional awareness and regulation
Strengthen confidence and self esteem
Healthy coping skills
Improve social connection and relationships
Resilience and flexibility
Express feelings safely
Explore worries, fears and everyday stress
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Play Therapy is suitable for children aged 2 years and older who enjoy playing with toys and games, creating art, and engaging in imaginative play.
Your Play Therapist
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Hi there!
I’m Giaan and I am a Child-Centred Play Therapist here in Gladstone, Queensland. I’m passionate about supporting children and families in the region and feel privileged to work within my local community.
My approach is grounded in empathy, trust, and a deep belief in each child’s capacity for growth and healing through play.
I look forward to seeing you in the playroom!
Warmly,
Giaan
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Bachelor of Psychological Science - CQUniversity
Certificate in Play Therapy Studies - Kylie Ellison Training & Therapy
Completion of Advanced Clinical Skills Workshop - Kylie Ellison Training & Therapy
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Certified Associate Member of the Play Therapy Practitioners Association (PTPA)
Fortnightly supervision with a PTPA-recognised Play Therapy Supervisor
Working With Children Check (Blue Card)
NDIS Worker Screening Check
Appointments & Fees
All appointment information, including fees, can be found under the relevant appointment below:
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Parent consultations are a crucial step in the therapeutic process as they give us the opportunity to talk openly before beginning the therapeutic process.
It’s time for you to share your concerns, your child’s history, and what led you to seek support.
Ask questions, get to know me, and feel comfortable with the process before play therapy begins.
Duration: 30-60mins
Mode: In-person/Video Call
Fee: $100
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In sessions, your child is welcomed into a safe playroom filled with carefully selected toys and creative materials. This space is designed to help children express themselves in ways that feel natural to them.
During their time in the playroom, your child might engage in pretend play, art, storytelling, sand play, or simply explore in their own way. These choices often reflect what’s going on in their inner world.
I stay fully present with your child throughout the session, offering warmth and acceptance. Through this secure relationship and free expression, your child can begin to process feelings, build self-understanding, and develop new ways of coping.
Parents / caregivers are asked to wait nearby while the session is taking place.
Duration: 45mins
Mode: In-person/School-visit
Frequency: Weekly/Fortnightly/Monthly
Fee: $193.99
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Teleplay provides access to play therapy for children living remotely or outside of the Gladstone region. Children engage with their play therapist via Zoom, reducing the cost of travel for families in need of support.
Duration: 45 minutes
Mode: Video Call
Frequency: Weekly/Fortnightly
Fee: $193.99
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After every 4-6 sessions, we’ll meet for a review to reflect on your child’s journey in the playroom so far. These sessions are a chance for us to talk about any themes or changes that may be emerging in your child’s play, how they’re coping at home or school, and any shifts you’ve noticed in their behaviour or emotional world.
These conversations are collaborative. Your perspective is incredibly valuable, and together we can adjust goals, explore questions, and continue working as a team to support your child’s wellbeing.
Duration: 30-60mins
Mode: In-person/Video Call
Frequency: Every 4-6 Sessions
Fee: $100
Additional Services
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Observations allow the therapist to attend your child’s school/kindergarten, to observe their behaviours, interactions, and overall functioning within the classroom environment.
Observations are conducted in a respectful and unobtrusive way, ensuring minimal disruption to your child and classroom. Insights gathered during this time help to inform the therapeutic process and provide more tailored support strategies across home, school and therapy settings.
Permission from the school and classroom teacher is required prior to booking.
Duration: 45mins
Mode: In-person (school based)
Frequency: As needed
Fee: $193.99 (plus travel fee $1/km to and from Petal Play Therapy)
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On-site play therapy for students through a formal contracted agreement with schools. Schools can engage the therapist for a set period of time to support multiple students requiring therapeutic intervention.
Sessions are conducted in a designated private space within the school, creating a safe and consistent environment where students can engage in play therapy.
The therapist works collaboratively with school staff, where appropriate, to ensure consistency of support across school and therapeutic contexts, while maintaining student confidentiality.
Requirements
Access to a private, confidential space for sessions
Parent/caregiver consent for participating students
Duration: As per contracted agreement (e.g. half day, full day or set hours)
Mode: In-person (school based)
Fee: $193.99 per participant (plus travel fee $1/km to and from Petal Play Therapy)
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Payment is required at the time of your appointment and can be made using card.
For information on NDIS invoicing, please see National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) below.
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Play Therapy is funded under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living.
After payment, Self-Managed Participants will be provided with a receipt to claim the cost of the appointment.
For Plan-Managed Participants, an invoice will be forwarded to your registered plan-manager.
Please Note: Petal Play Therapy is not currently an NDIS provider and therefore cannot support NDIA-Managed clients.
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Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment to ensure your child receives the full benefit of their session.
If you arrive late, the session will still conclude at the scheduled time to avoid disruption to other clients. The session fee will remain the same, regardless of the time attended.
If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible.
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A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to cancel an appointment without penalty. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled start time will incur a 100% session fee.
Rescheduling requests will be accommodated where possible, depending on availability.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please inform us as soon as possible.
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At Petal Play Therapy, the privacy and confidentiality of your child and family are treated with the utmost respect and care.
All information shared during sessions, whether verbal, written, or observed, is kept strictly confidential and stored securely in accordance with Australian privacy laws. This includes all records relating to your child’s therapy.
There are, however, a few legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality. Information may be shared without consent if:
There is a risk of harm to your child or others
There is suspected abuse or neglect
Disclosure is otherwise required by law
To support your child effectively, I may discuss aspects of their presentation or progress in professional supervision, which is a confidential and ethical part of best practice for all registered play therapists.
If collaboration with other professionals (such as teachers, doctors, or allied health providers) is requested or recommended, this will only occur with your informed written consent.
For further information about Privacy & Confidentiality, please feel free to get in touch via email.
Payments & Policies
Frequently Asked Questions
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Petal Play Therapy is not currently a registered NDIS provider, which means we are unable to support participants whose plans are managed by the NDIA.
However, we are able to support participants who are self-managed or plan-managed.
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Petal Play Therapy is located on the ground floor of the Gladstone Business Centre, with convenient wheelchair access via ramp.
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Great question! Families who live remotely or outside of the Gladstone region and are unable to attend appointments in person are welcome to engage in Teleplay Therapy appointments.
This option can be selected under ‘Mode’ when requesting an appointment or joining the waitlist.
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Absolutely! Petal Play Therapy can be contracted by schools and kindergartens to support multiple students during the school day.
To enquire, please email hello@petalplaytherapy.com.au
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Most definitely! Play therapy isn’t just for children who are in crisis or navigating significant experiences. All children benefit from having a developmentally appropriate space to express themselves and develop new skills.
By appointment only, please contact us to book an appointment or enquire
Gladstone Business Centre
1 Manning Street
South Gladstone, Queensland
Location
Professional Referrals
Professionals can refer to Petal Play Therapy by completing the below referral form: