Child-Centred Sydney

Get to know Child-Centred Sydney

From Child-Centred Sydney's website.

• Our approach

  Child-Centred Play Therapy is a non-directive, humanistic approach where the child leads exploration within a safe relationship with the therapist. Young children naturally communicate and process their inner world through play, and this becomes the foundation for learning, healing and growth. Sessions are carefully designed around the child's natural way of self-expression, with thoughtfully selected therapeutic materials creating the environment for communication. The therapist builds an unconditional relationship in a warm, safe and predictable space, and this special connection is what creates healing. The child-clinician relationship is the highest predictor of positive treatment outcomes, and this approach has been proven one of the most effective for the age group served.

• Working with families

  Caregiver involvement is recognised as a crucial part of every child's treatment, not an add-on. Every five client sessions, the therapist meets with caregivers to discuss progress and keep parents informed about their child's therapy journey. This regular communication helps parents understand how to support their child's emotional growth and development at home, extending the therapeutic work beyond the session room.

• Meet the team

  Alejandra Hayes is a Registered Play Therapist (APPTA Member RPT™ 25030) and Certified Counsellor (PACFA Reg 29750) with a Master's degree and Graduate Diploma qualification. Her clinical approach is rooted in person-centred theory, informed by attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology, and operates with a developmental lens and trauma-informed practice. She maintains professional standards through career-long supervision, including individual supervision and professional development, and attends group sessions at the Family Psychology Practice where she is an independent contractor. As a parent of two adolescent children herself, she brings personal understanding to her work with families.

• Your first visit

  The initial intake session lasts 60 minutes and helps establish a warm relationship in a safe, predictable environment created specifically to support child-centred play therapy. There is no requirement for a GP referral. The service accepts private paying clients and self-managed NDIS participants, with appointments available Tuesday to Thursday between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. Play therapy sessions that follow are 45 minutes long, allowing children space for self-directed exploration. Parent involvement is built into the treatment from the start, with caregiver sessions scheduled every five client sessions to discuss progress and support the child's therapeutic journey.