Victorian Adolescent and Child Therapy.
Assisting children through play
“When you are free, you can play and when you are playing, you become free.”
-Heidi Kaduson
Victorian Adolescent and Child Therapies (VACT) practices an emotionally focused approach to Child-Centered Play Therapy, with elements of behavioural therapy, self-regulation, and attachment. This evidence-based practice incorporates components of social-emotional development with an emphasis on child-directed play.
This means we focus on how the brain is processing feelings and thoughts to help you better understand and interact with your child.
Sometimes children are not able to process their emotions or clarify to others what they are feeling at a certain time. Children may act out or engage in inappropriate behaviours.
As adults we have the language to express our feelings but it is not always the way children can express themselves.
Play Therapy can often look like just play but it is much more than that. A Play Therapist will use sessions to observe and assist children with their problems. This includes behavioural problem, social concerns and trauma. Through play children will learn how to cope with their feelings and how to redirect inappropriate behaviours.
Children aged 18 months -18 years who may have:
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Developmental Delays
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Behavioral Issues
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Attachment Difficulties
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Eating Disorders
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Sleep Disorders
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Mood Swings
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Inappropriate Emotional Responses
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Grief and Loss
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Trauma
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Anxiety concerns
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Delayed expressive and/or receptive language
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Poor narrative language
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Experiencing anxiety in social situations or school refusal
About
With 27 years of teaching experience, Yvonne is a highly qualified educator who has dedicated a significant portion of her career to working with children from high-trauma backgrounds. She has delved into extensive studies on autism and ADHD, exploring their impacts on education. After completing her Bachelor degree in Education, Yvonne furthered her academic journey by obtaining a degree in Media.
Driven by a passion for holistic child development, Yvonne returned to university after her extensive teaching career to achieve a Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Child Play, and Master's Degree in Child Play Therapy. Alongside these specialized qualifications, she has become a certified trainer for Mental Health First Aid Australia and a qualified Autplay therapist.
Yvonne specializes in working with children aged 2 to 18 who may be facing developmental delays, behaviour or traumatic experiences. Her expertise extends to collaborating with Child Protection agencies, Anglicare, NDIS, and private clients. Yvonne is highly experience in working with various cultures and has undertaken studies in mental health issues of various faiths and cultures. She has worked with the Islamic, Pacific Islander and Indian Communities extensively.
Yvonne's life motto reflects her vibrant approach to her work: "There's just never too much glitter." Yvonne has also travelled overseas, studying holistic approaches to Neurodiversity and anxiety to ensure parents have alternate opportunities to medication.
