Welcome
Paediatric Psychotherapy and Filial Therapy
Providing child-centred play-based therapy for children and families
Welcome
Introducing Sarah
With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, where she has promoted the value of learning through play, Sarah is now an unwavering advocate for the transformational potential of healing through play.
Sarah is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children facing relational, behavioural or developmental challenges within the context of their home, learning environments or elsewhere.
Holding a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), and Masters of Child Play Therapy, Sarah's involvement in education settings alerted her to the psychosocial needs of children. This prompted a desire to be able to work with children and their families more closely as a mental health practitioner using the therapeutic powers of play.
Her extensive experience supporting children and their families fuelled her aspiration to establish a private practice, Light Up Play Therapy. Sarah's therapeutic methodology when working with children and their families is firmly rooted in humanistic principles, placing the child at the centre of the therapeutic process.
Her approach is characterised by a strengths-based perspective, which involves recognising and nurturing the inherent strengths and resources possessed by both the child and their family members. Firmly grounded in a bio-psycho-social model, her clinical reasoning relates to all aspects of a child's development within the context of their world.
Inclusivity is a core value of Light Up Play Therapy and therefore Sarah is committed to embracing diversity by engaging respectfully with all clients regardless of their background or identity. This includes understanding the unique traditions, and belief systems of each child and their family to ensure the modality of therapy provided is culturally sensitive and relevant.
Through supporting children to prevent or resolve difficulties they may be facing, Sarah considers herself privileged with the opportunity to facilitate children's self-discovery and healing so they can light up from within.
About Light Up Play Therapy
Sarah offers her services in her private practice located in Bangalow. An outreach program can also be provided to work with children within early childhood or primary school settings, depending on availability.
The playroom has been specifically designed in a home-like, welcoming space filled with natural lighting intended to make children and their families feel safe and comfortable.
Children are provided with psychological and emotional support through 1:1 child and therapist play-based sessions. Additionally, families are provided with parent-child play-based relational therapy.
A systemic approach to assisting children in play therapy relies on the integration of knowledge from child development theory, neuroscience, and psychopathology.
By creating a holistic and effective therapeutic environment for children and their families, challenges can be addressed and families are equipped with the tools and understanding needed for long-term positive change.
I acknowledge the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work. I honour the First Nations peoples culture and connection to land, sea and community. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
