Inspiring Play: Play Therapy Sunshine Coast

Get to know Inspiring Play: Play Therapy Sunshine Coast

From Inspiring Play: Play Therapy Sunshine Coast's website.

• Our approach

  Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is a gentle, non-directive approach grounded in decades of research that recognises play as children's natural language for expressing themselves and processing their inner world. In sessions, a trained play therapist offers a carefully selected range of toys and creative materials, then follows the child's lead without directing the play, creating a safe, accepting space where children explore their feelings at their own pace. The therapist builds a trusting relationship that supports emotional healing and growth, helping children develop self-regulation skills, confidence and resilience. This approach meets each child where they are emotionally, allowing them to feel safe, understood and empowered to discover their own capacity for change. Sessions are available at the Mudjimba clinic or through mobile therapy services across the Sunshine Coast.

• Working with families

  The provider is deeply committed to walking alongside families with warmth, care and curiosity, supporting children's emotional wellbeing while empowering parents to feel confident and connected. A quality play therapist will include parents in the process, offering insights and strategies to support children at home and school. The provider emphasises that the therapeutic relationship and connection between child and therapist is key to effective therapy, and parents' intuition about whether their child feels safe and comfortable is important. Parents are encouraged to notice signs that a positive relationship is forming, such as their child opening up, playing freely, or looking forward to sessions.

• Meet the team

  Emma Nissen is a Registered Play Therapist and Early Childhood Professional with over 20 years' experience supporting children and families on the Sunshine Coast. She specialises in supporting young children with big feelings, anxiety, trauma and neurodivergent needs through warm, child-centred and play-based therapy. Emma is also passionate about empowering parents and fostering deeper connections between children and their families using evidence-based, neuro-affirming practices. She holds postgraduate qualifications in Play Therapy and professional registration with a recognised association. The team is committed to using evidence-based, neuroaffirming and trauma-informed practices in all their work.