Possum House Warrnambool
7 Logans Beach Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280
- Clinic
About Possum House Warrnambool
Possum House is a team of specialist child and adolescent therapists with extensive experience delivering support to children and their families. They offer counselling, play therapy, parenting support and skills development across therapeutic spaces in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton. Possum House has been developed to meet the diverse needs of all children up to the age of 16 and their families and carers, offering age-appropriate and evidence based interventions. They fully embrace the neurodiversity affirming movement and only use interventions supported by the autistic community that do not promote masking.
What's offered
Clinic sessions
Services provided
Possum House Warrnambool lists
- Youth Counselling and Therapy
- Developmentally appropriate and evidence based interventions including Initiatic Art Therapy, Clayfield Therapy, Digital Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR and Humanistic Counselling for young people.
- Play Therapy
- Support for children and adolescents through Synergetic Play Therapy, Child Centred Play Therapy and Autplay, provided individually or including the parent in sessions.
- Understanding Behaviours and Parenting Support
- Service based on Collaborative Proactive Solutions that supports parents to understand their children's behaviours, develop solutions to difficulties, and develop healthy attachment between family members.
- Key Worker Service
- NDIS early childhood intervention professional who works alongside families to support the child's progress towards achieving their NDIS goals, coordinate other therapists, and link in with NDIS and mainstream services.
- Autism and Neurodiversity Support
- Neurodiversity affirming interventions for autistic and neurodivergent young people up to age 16, supporting understanding of brain needs and self-advocacy.
- Group Programs
- Teen Art Group, Gaming Group, and Art Group for autistic children and young people to socialise and build connections in supported environments.
- Speaking Engagements
- Possum House therapists provide speaking engagements and staff development to the community and fellow professionals on topics including child behaviour, neurodivergence, and neurodiversity affirming perspectives.
- Professional Supervision Services
- Group and individual supervision for play therapists, social workers and allied health professionals, including Autplay supervision for practitioners seeking Certified Autplay Therapist status.
Get to know Possum House Warrnambool
From Possum House Warrnambool's website.
Our approach
At Possum House, children and adolescents receive developmentally appropriate, evidence-based therapy tailored to their needs. Sessions draw from approaches like Synergetic Play Therapy, Autplay, Initiatic Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR and Humanistic Counselling. The team embraces neurodiversity affirmation and focuses on helping young people understand their needs and build confidence. Younger children are supported through play-based sessions that can be offered individually or with a parent included, creating a warm and therapeutic space where children can work through challenges and develop their true potential.
Working with families
Parents and carers are actively involved in Possum House's approach. Younger children can have parents included in play therapy sessions. The team offers parenting support based on Collaborative Proactive Solutions, helping families understand their child's behaviour and develop solutions together, build healthy attachments, and support adolescents toward independence. Individual therapy with the child enables the team to get to know the whole family and identify additional supports. The team works holistically with families, supporting them when challenges arise beyond the child's therapy needs.
Meet the team
The Possum House team includes Nicky Trussler (Founder – Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor), Semantha Van Jaarsveld (Social Worker), Silvia Mikhail (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker), Sarah Mekaouí (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker), and Hollee Chuck (Educator and Certified Synergetic Play Therapist). The team comprises specialist child and adolescent therapists with extensive experience. Social workers on the team are particularly suited to Key Worker roles under the NDIS, as they work holistically, navigate complex support systems, and advocate for families across schools and health services. A number of neurodivergent staff members are employed at all levels of the organisation.
Locations & areas served
Warrnambool
7 Logans Beach Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Get directions to Warrnambool (opens Google Maps in a new tab)Opening hours
- Mon–Fri
- 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sat–Sun
- Closed
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