Yangennanock: Child Play Therapy
Healing Young Minds Through Play
Specialised therapy for children
Meet Our Therapist, Madison Grey
Madison's Approach
Madison specialises in clinical child play therapy. Her practice is grounded in creating a nurturing and supportive environment where children can safely work through stress, anxiety, trauma, and challenges with emotional regulation. By combining evidence-based play therapy methods with active family involvement, Madison provides a secure space for children to explore, heal, and thrive.
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Madison has worked extensively with children and families experiencing complex challenges and vulnerabilities. This professional experience, together with her clinical training, informs her trauma-informed and strengths-based approach to therapy.
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She has completed a Master of Child Play Therapy at Deakin University and is provisionally registered with the Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA).
Available Services
Humanistic Child Play Therapy
Learn to Play Therapy
Filial Play Therapy
Humanistic child play therapy provides children with a safe, supportive environment where they can express thoughts and emotions through play—their natural form of communication. Sessions are led by a Master qualified play therapist and often involve carefully selected toys, creative arts, storytelling, and role play. Through these experiences, children explore feelings, process challenges, and build skills for regulation, resilience, and healthy relationships, all within a therapeutic framework.
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Ages 2-12, please get in touch with Madison to discuss a suitable intervention for ages outside of this range
Learn to Play Therapy is an evidence-based approach developed by Dr Karen Stagnitti, internationally recognised for her research into pretend play and child development. Many children who experience developmental delays, trauma, or difficulties with social and emotional regulation struggle to engage in pretend or imaginative play. Learn to Play Therapy directly supports children to develop these foundational play skills step by step. By scaffolding play interactions, Madison helps children build the ability to imagine, role-play, and take on perspectives — skills that are vital for language development, emotional understanding, problem-solving, and forming relationships. As children’s play abilities strengthen, they gain confidence, learn to regulate their emotions more effectively, and improve their capacity to engage with peers and learning environments. This therapy is particularly beneficial for children with social communication difficulties, anxiety, autism spectrum conditions, or those who may not have had the opportunity to experience rich, imaginative play in early childhood.
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Ages 2-12, please get in touch with Madison to discuss a suitable intervention for ages outside of this range
Filial Play Therapy takes the healing benefits of play and extends them into the child’s most important relationships — with their parents or caregivers. Madison works closely with families, coaching caregivers to become the therapeutic agents of change. In structured sessions, parents are guided to use play-based techniques to strengthen their bond with their child, build trust, and create a safe emotional space at home. This approach empowers families, giving caregivers confidence and practical skills to support their child’s emotional needs beyond the therapy room. Filial therapy is especially powerful in reducing family stress, improving communication, and enhancing attachment, ensuring that the child experiences consistent support in all areas of their life.
What is play therapy, who can it help and what are the benefits?
Play therapy can help children who:
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Feel worried, sad, or overwhelmed
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Find it hard to manage big feelings like anger or fear
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Are adjusting to changes at home (separation, divorce, new sibling)
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Have gone through tough experiences such as loss or trauma
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Struggle with behaviour at home, childcare, or school
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Find it hard to make or keep friends
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Need extra support with focus, attention, or regulation
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Have experienced family challenges and need a safe space to heal
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Find it difficult to express themselves with words
Play therapy is suitable for children who are:
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Presenting with anxiety, stress, or mood-related difficulties
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Experiencing challenges with emotional regulation and impulse control
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Adjusting to significant life transitions (e.g., parental separation, bereavement, family restructuring)
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Recovering from trauma, grief, or adverse childhood experiences
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Exhibiting behavioural difficulties in home, educational, or community settings
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Struggling with peer relationships, attachment, or social integration
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Living with neurodevelopmental differences (e.g., ASD, ADHD) and requiring support in regulation and expression
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Involved with child protection systems or impacted by family violence
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Limited in their ability to express thoughts and feelings through verbal communication
Therapeutic Benefits of Play Therapy:
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Facilitates emotional expression in a developmentally appropriate way
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Enhances self-regulation, impulse control, and frustration tolerance
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Promotes resilience, self-esteem, and adaptive coping strategies
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Strengthens secure attachment and co-regulation within the parent–child dyad
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Assists in processing traumatic experiences, grief, and loss
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Reduces behavioural difficulties by addressing underlying emotional needs
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Improves social competence, perspective-taking, and peer relationships
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Provides a non-intrusive medium for assessment of developmental and emotional functioning
Questions & Answers
Common Queries
Is play therapy suitable for all children?
Yes, play therapy is highly beneficial for children dealing with emotional challenges. Madison utilizes specialised techniques to help children express themselves and develop essential coping skills.
Session Duration
Therapy sessions typically last around 45-60 minutes, but the duration may vary based on the specific needs and progress of the child.
First Session Expectations
During the initial therapy session, Madison will establish a rapport with the child, conduct both standardised and non-standardised play based assessments, and set personalized goals for the therapeutic journey.
NDIS & Early Intervention
We support children and families accessing the NDIS and through early intervention. Our play-based therapy helps children build skills in communication, regulation, social connection, and resilience. We work alongside families and professionals to align therapy with NDIS goals, provide progress reports, and create flexible, child-centered support that fosters growth and wellbeing.