Children’s Counselling & Play Therapy Perth

Helping Children Feel Calmer, Happier and More Understood

At Discovery Family Therapy, we help children express emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills through evidence-based counselling and play therapy in Perth.
Our warm and experienced child therapists create a safe, supportive environment where your child can learn, grow and thrive at their own pace.

Book an Appointment

What is Play Therapy

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approach that allows children to express themselves through play, art, and storytelling.

This method is particularly effective for children who may find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and emotions verbally. By engaging in therapeutic play, children can process experiences, develop coping strategies, and build resilience.

Parents Choose

Discovery Family Therapy

Parents choose us because we understand that every child and family is unique.

We offer:

Qualified child and family counsellors with extensive experience
Calm, play-based therapy spaces designed for comfort and safety
Support for children aged 4–12 years
Practical parent guidance to use at home and school
NDIS-registered services for self-, plan- and agency-managed participants

We help children manage emotions, improve communication, and strengthen family relationships using proven therapy methods tailored to individual needs.

How Play Therapy Supports Emotional Growth

Children often express feelings through play rather than words.

Play therapy allows them to:

Work through worries, sadness, or anger in a safe setting
Build confidence and resilience
Strengthen social and problem-solving skills
Improve emotional regulation and flexible thinking
Repair attachment and trust following stress or change

Our Perth play therapists use toys, creative arts, and storytelling to help children process emotions and develop healthier coping strategies.

When to Consider Counselling for Your Child

Parents commonly reach out when they notice their child:

Struggles with anxiety, worry, or separation distress
Has frequent meltdowns or difficulty managing anger
Finds it hard to make or keep friends
Is experiencing family changes, such as separation or loss
Shows low mood, school avoidance, or emotional withdrawal
Needs NDIS counselling support for emotional or social development

Getting help early can prevent small problems from becoming long-term patterns.

Parent Support and Family Collaboration

At Discovery Family Therapy, we believe therapy works best when parents are actively involved. Children make the greatest progress when the strategies explored in counselling are reinforced at home and school.

We work closely with parents throughout the process, providing practical tools, resources and ongoing guidance to help you support your child’s emotional growth between sessions.

Your involvement is a vital part of therapy success. We invite parents to participate in goal setting, progress discussions and the development of support strategies. This shared approach ensures that the gains made in therapy translate into meaningful change in daily life.

At the same time, we respect every child’s right to confidentiality. To build trust, children need to know that what they share in therapy is private, within appropriate limits for safety and wellbeing. We discuss with families how confidentiality works so both parents and children feel safe, respected and included in the process.

Our team provides ongoing parent support and educational resources, including calm-down strategies, emotional regulation tools and communication guides tailored to your child’s needs. These resources empower parents to continue the therapeutic work at home, strengthening connection and helping your child thrive long after each session ends.

What to Expect from the Therapy Process

At Discovery Family Therapy, we follow a structured yet flexible process designed to ensure every child and family receives the most effective support possible. Our approach is collaborative, transparent, and tailored to your child’s individual needs.

1. Initial Parent Consultation
Therapy begins with a parent-only session to discuss your child’s background, strengths, current challenges, and family context. This conversation helps us establish goals and lay a clear foundation for therapy.

2. Assessment Phase
Following the initial consultation, the therapist meets with your child for several sessions to build rapport and observe their emotional, social, and behavioural patterns through play and interaction. This phase helps identify your child’s unique needs and the most suitable therapeutic approach.

3. Collaborative Therapy Plan
Once the assessment is complete, the therapist meets with parents to develop a personalised therapy plan. This plan outlines goals, session structure, and methods to support progress at home. Regular sessions with your child are complemented by periodic parent consultations to ensure a unified approach.

4. Ongoing Review and Adjustment
Therapy is a dynamic process. We regularly review progress and adjust goals or strategies as your child’s needs evolve. This ensures that therapy remains relevant, effective, and responsive to change.

5. Parent Involvement and Support
Parent participation is encouraged throughout therapy. Regular parent-only check-ins provide space to discuss progress, share strategies, and address any new concerns. We also provide educational resources and practical tools to help you support your child’s emotional wellbeing at home.

6. Completion of Therapy
Therapy concludes when goals have been achieved, or when it is mutually agreed that further sessions are no longer needed. A closing session celebrates progress, reviews learned skills, and provides guidance for continued growth and resilience.