Let's Play SA Therapeutic Services

28/07/2026

28/07/2026

Has your child been struggling lately?

Sometimes children don't have the words to explain what's happening inside.

Instead, it might look like:

• Big emotions
• Anxiety
• School refusal
• Meltdowns
• Withdrawal
• Behaviour changes
• Friendship difficulties

Play can become their language.

I'm Nicole, an Accredited Social Worker and Child-Centred Play Therapist in Reynella, and I currently have capacity to welcome new clients.

If you're looking for compassionate, neuroaffirming and trauma-informed support for your child, I'd love to chat.

Feel free to comment below or send me a private message.

28/07/2026

One of my favourite things about being a child-centred play therapist is watching children discover ways to express themselves without needing to find the "right" words.

As adults we process our experiences by talking.

Children process their experiences through play.

A lion might become their protector.
A paint brush might become a wand.

Building towers and knocking them down over and over again might become a way of exploring control, change or uncertainty.

To an adult, it might look like "just playing." To a child, it can be the safest way to work through their feelings, relationships and experiences that are too big or too complex to explain.

That's why I never rush to ask, "What does this mean?"
That doesn't mean I'm not curious. I stay present, and trust that the children have capacity for growth and communication when they're given a safe relationship and the freedom to express themselves through play.

Play isn't a break from learning.

For children, play is learning.

And sometimes...

it's healing too.

Play. Heal. Flourish.

If your child could tell you one story through play today, what do you think it might be?

27/07/2026

One of the best things I learnt as a parent of a beautifully fiesty AuDHD kid was move away from asking "How do I stop this behaviour?" and instead ask "What is she trying to tell me?"

Over the years I have learnt that children communicate through their behaviour long before they can explain what is going on inside them.
When my kiddo refuses to put on her shoes, I could see it as opposition or I could look behind the behaviour to see what she isn't able to verbalise, such as her growing anxiety about the transition from home to school. She carries these emotions that she doesn't always have the words to express.

When our kids come home from school and melt down, it doesn't always mean they had a horrible day. In fact, they could have been working incredibly hard to hold themselves together in an environment that was so overwhelming.

This doesn't mean we ignore our boundaries. Children need safe, consistent limits. But I wonder if we could begin with curiosity instead of judgement, we just might be able to create space to understand the story that comes before. Our kids drop clues that help us understand what they need most.

Every behaviour tells us a sotry. It isn't our job to simply manage their behaviour. Our job is to understand our child so they can flourish.

Has your understanding of your child's behaviour changed over time? I would love to hear what you've discovered.

12/06/2026

Today, the play therapy community lost a giant.

It is difficult to overstate the impact that Garry Landreth has had on the lives of children around the world. Through his development, teaching, and unwavering advocacy of Child-Centred Play Therapy, he gave generations of practitioners a framework for truly seeing, hearing, and understanding children. More importantly, he helped the world understand that play is not "just play"—it is a child's language, and toys are their words.

His work transformed the way many of us approach children. He taught us that healing happens not through fixing, directing, or controlling, but through relationship, acceptance, empathy, and trust in a child's innate capacity for growth.

One of my favourite quotes from Garry captures the heart of his philosophy:

"I have discovered that when I am with children, the person I am is much more important than anything I know how to do in my mind."
— Garry L. Landreth

As a social worker and play therapist, the principles Garry championed form the foundation of the work I do every day. The playroom I step into, the relationships I build with children and families, and the belief that children can move toward healing when offered a safe and accepting space all trace back to the legacy he created.

I feel both grateful and humbled to have been trained in the methods he developed and shared so generously with the world. His teachings have shaped not only my practice, but also the way I view children, their resilience, and their remarkable capacity for growth.

The legacy Garry leaves behind is immeasurable. It lives on in every playroom, every therapist he inspired, and every child who has found healing through play.

Thank you, Garry, for showing us how to listen to children in the language they speak best.

Your impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.

21/05/2026

NEW AT LET’S PLAY SA!

Understanding Your Child Sessions: Parent Capacity Building & Support

Have you ever left an appointment, assessment, or school meeting thinking:

“Okay… but what do I do now?”

Parents are often given reports, diagnoses and recommendations… but not always the space to process what it means day-to-day.

As both a parent of a neurodiverse child, social worker, and play therapist, I often meet families carrying questions, uncertainty, grief, relief, overwhelm and a deep desire to better understand and support their child.

Our new Understanding Your Child Sessions provide a parent-focused space to explore your child’s emotional world, diagnoses, behaviours, strengths and support strategies in a compassionate and practical way.

These sessions can stand alone or complement your child’s existing supports.

You do not need to figure it all out by yourself 🤍

Reach out to learn more or book.
https://lets-play-sa-therapeutic-services.splose.com/online-booking/df906fb2-916f-434d-bc81-c1f419b4678c

Play • Heal • Flourish

20/05/2026

A huge thank you to Mikayla for spending time with Let’s Play SA Therapeutic Services on placement.

Over the placement journey, there were very serious and completely business-related excursions to Kmart, Macaron Bar, op shops, and fidget shops… all in the name of professional development of course 😉

Mikayla jumped in wholeheartedly and was never afraid to get involved. Somewhere along the way she found herself dressed and prepared for the moon, hunting aliens, heading off on scavenger hunts, and embracing all the wonderful, creative, child-led chaos that comes with this work.

Thank you for your willingness to learn, your enthusiasm, your flexibility, and for stepping into every experience with such openness. Placements are about learning, but they’re also about connection, laughter, and the moments in between — and this one definitely had plenty of those.

The clinic won’t be quite the same…

But the real question is… who is going to come to my daily TED Talks now? 😂

Wishing you all the best for what comes next, Mikayla

22/04/2026

Our open day has started.

Come on down and check out the space and ask me and Mikayla any questions and learn about why we love play therapy so much.

We are here until 3pm
Shop 3, 40-44 Blackburn Street, Reynella.

04/04/2026

We’re so excited to invite you to our Let’s Play SA! Open Day.

This is a relaxed, low-pressure drop-in event where you can come and explore the space, meet Nicole, and get a feel for how play therapy supports children to play, heal, and flourish.

We only have a small space, and there is only one of me; so please be patient with us, we will have some craft stations set up (kindly being run by my own kids). Mikayla our current social work student will also be here to answer questions and chat about all things play therapy.

This is a time for you to:

✨ Chat about your child’s needs
✨ Explore the playroom and resources
✨ Learn about child-centred play therapy
✨ Connect with other parents/carers and families

Whether you’re curious about play therapy, looking for support, or just want to connect - you’re so welcome.

No bookings needed—just pop in anytime between 1–3pm!

Please note we share the car park with 2 other businesses, be mindful of their customers too. Feel free to grab a flyer from KD Nails next door and don't forget Tina's dog grooming if you ever need a special puppy cut!