Curious Box Play Therapy

Curious Box Play Therapy provides a compassionate and supportive environment where children, teens and families can thrive through the transformative power of play. Curious Box is a play therapy practice that supports children, teens, families and guardians.

They provide various psychotherapy services, including child-centred play therapy, talk-based counselling, parent-child therapies, child-centred group play therapy and parent/guardian support and consultation services.

‘Every toy in the play therapist’s toolbox is a key to unlocking a child’s potential, revealing the treasure trove of talents and strengths that lie within.’

Curious Box Play Therapy’s Services

Curious Box Play Therapy provides various psychotherapy services, including:

• Child-Centred Play Therapy
• Talk-Based Counselling
• Parent-Child Therapies
• Child-Centred Group Play Therapy
• Guardian support and consultation services

Why Play?

Play is essential to growth, development, learning and cultivating relationships.

It is a natural process that:

• Encourages open and voluntary communication.
• Builds trust and mastery
• Fosters learning and acceptable behaviours
• Regulates emotions
• Reduces anxieties
• Promotes creative problem solving
• Elevates spirit and self-esteem

‘Play Therapy is the canvas where children paint their hopes, fears, and aspirations, creating masterpieces that reflect their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment’.

Why Play Therapy?

Adverse life events can impact children’s physical and emotional well-being, resulting in confusing or overwhelming emotions such as anger, sadness, anxiety, or guilt. Play therapy is a child-centred therapeutic approach that recognizes that children and teens often communicate and process these emotions through play.

It is a practical and age-appropriate resource for addressing various concerns. Play helps individuals process experiences and develop effective strategies for managing their worlds.

Who Can Curious Box Play Therapy Help?

Curious Box Play Therapy can support children and teens who:

• Have experienced trauma or are living in complex circumstances
• Struggle with self-regulating capacity and may have communication difficulties or behavioural concerns.
• May be unable to engage in other therapies for various reasons
• May feel overwhelmed or anxious regularly
• Are experiencing grief and loss (including parent separation)
• Are living with disabilities
• Have a diagnoses of ASD/ADHD/ADD/ODD plus more
• Are having school difficulties
• Have experienced medical trauma and chronic illness
• May be living with a family member suffering from mental or physical illness
• Preverbal or nonverbal children who struggle with language and communication barriers to express their emotions, thoughts and feelings

Why Curious Box Play Therapy?

‘Curious’ embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery, a nod to children’s inquisitive nature and curiosity that drives their emotional growth. ‘Box’ symbolizes a safe and contained space.

Because it’s not just play; it’s therapy. Curious Box Play Therapy’s play therapy services are designed to provide a compassionate and supportive environment where children, teens, and families can feel empowered as they learn and grow, build resilience, and unlock their full potential. They believe every child has the innate potential for internal growth and that through play children can go on this journey of self-discovery.

• They encourage clients to explore their abilities, talents and resources, leading to a positive shift in their perception of self and their world.
• They understand the impact of trauma on a child and their family and tailor interventions to meet each child’s individual and specific needs.
• They integrate neuro-informed practices and interventions when working with our neuro-diverse clients.

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT)

Curious Box Play Therapy specialises in Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), an evidence-based counselling service designed specifically for children. This therapeutic approach recognises that children often communicate and process emotions through play, making it a practical and age-appropriate method for addressing their concerns.

Child-Centred Play Therapy is generally most beneficial for children aged 3 to 12. However, referrals are assessed case-by-case to ensure the therapy is tailored to each child’s needs and developmental stage.

Talk-Based Counselling For Older Primary/Teens

Curious Box Play Therapy recognises the diverse needs of older primary and high school-aged children and adolescents, offering a comprehensive Talk-Based Counselling service to provide them with a safe space for expression and skill development. Their approach is rooted in various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychoeducation, and skill development. They understand that each young person is unique, and their therapists integrate approaches to tailor the counselling experience to their specific needs.

Talk-based counselling is specifically designed for older primary and high school students. However, Curious Box understands that each case is unique, and assessments are conducted on a case-by-case basis to ensure the counselling approach aligns with each young person’s needs and preferences.

Parent-Child Therapies

Curious Box Play Therapy understands the intricate dynamics of parent-child relationships and offers specialised Parent-Child Therapies to foster healthier family connections. Their therapeutic interventions include Filial Therapy and the application of Theraplay® principles, which seamlessly integrate family therapy, attachment work, and play therapy.

The overarching goals of their parent-child therapies are to improve relationships and communication within the family setting. Whether the concerns involve specific challenges in parent-child interactions, family conflicts, or difficulties in parental connection, these therapeutic approaches aim to create a more supportive and nurturing family environment.

Curious Box’s Parent-Child Therapies are tailored for families with children aged 3 to 12 years. This critical developmental stage often requires targeted interventions to enhance family dynamics and promote healthy relationships.

Child-Centred Group Play Therapy (CCGPT)

This developmentally responsive program leverages the natural language of children—play—alongside therapeutic relationships to create a safe and consistent environment for healing.

Built on person-centred principles, CCGPT aims to unleash a child’s potential to move towards functional relationships and self-enhancing ways. The program prioritises the child’s experience within the counselling relationship as the catalyst for lasting, positive change.

Child Centred Group Play Therapy (CCGPT) is a specialised, play-based mental health intervention designed for young children ages 3 to 10 navigating social, emotional, behavioural, and relational challenges.

Parent/Guardian Support Or Consultation Services

Curious Box Play Therapy offers parenting resources and guidance for parents and guardians seeking additional support for their child.

What’s next?

Curious Box Play Therapy wants to partner with you as you seek support for your child and family’s wellbeing. By working together, you can aim to empower your child on their journey towards self-discovery and growth.

The Play Therapy Process

• FREE 15-minute initial phone consultation to assess need and suitability
• 60 – 90-minute initial parent consult
• Creation of a treatment plan tailored to your child’s individual needs
• 45-minute weekly sessions based on assessment
• 60-minute 3-4 weekly follow-up parent consult to review treatment plan

Curious Box Play Therapy’s services are available to anyone, both by self-referral (private paying clients) and NDIS clients (self- and plan-managed).

Testimononials

“We were initially skeptical about play therapy, but the results have been astonishing. Our daughter’s social skills have improved dramatically, and she’s much more confident. The therapist was patient, understanding, and kept us informed throughout. The regular parent meetings were invaluable in helping us support her journey. We are grateful to Curious Box Play Therapy for their dedication and expertise.”

“Finding Curious Box Play Therapy was a blessing. Our son was dealing with severe separation anxiety, and we didn’t know how to help him. The play therapy sessions provided him with a secure environment to explore his feelings, and the progress meetings kept us in the loop. His anxiety has significantly reduced, and he’s much happier now. We highly recommend this practice to any parent facing similar challenges.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many play therapy sessions will my child need? The number of play therapy sessions required varies widely based on several factors, including the nature and severity of the issues being addressed, the child’s individual needs, and their response to therapy. Curious Box Play Therapy recognises that each child’s therapeutic journey is unique and, as such, will be tailored to their individual needs.

As a general guide, it is recommended that your child meet weekly with their therapist for up to 45 minutes for a minimum of 10-12 sessions as a starting point. Research suggests that the average duration of therapy could take up to 20 sessions to resolve problems typical of a child referred for treatment.

How am I involved in my child’s play therapy process, and do I need to be in the room? Throughout your child’s therapeutic journey, your child’s therapist will seek to have regular meetings with you to discuss your child’s progress and any feedback. This generally occurs every 5-6 sessions. These meetings are an essential part of the process, ensuring that you are informed and involved in your child’s development and therapeutic progress.

Curious Box wants your child to feel comfortable expressing themselves and treat your child as an individual who deserves privacy and confidentiality, just as any psychologist or counselor would. Therefore, they do not require you to be in the room during the play therapy sessions. This allows your child to build a trusting relationship with the therapist and feel free to explore their feelings and thoughts openly.

Do I need a referral? No. Just book an initial free 15 min consult via the Curious Box Play Therapy website, or send an email to hello@curiousboxtherapy.com to get started!

To find out more, please visit the Curious Box Play Therapy website.