OUR SERVICES

Child Therapy

Children • Teens • Families

Play is to a child what talking is to an adult.

JESSICA’S APPROACH

Professional support tailored to your child’s needs.

Jessica is a creative and passionate psychologist who adores supporting children and teens. She has a special interest in supporting neurodivergent youth.

Jessica has an extensive toolbox and a wealth of personal and professional experience in supporting children.

She takes a thorough history of your child, connects with parents and the important people in your child’s life to gain a holistic understanding of your chid and their needs. She spends time observing your child so that any recommendations and strategies are tailored specifically for your child and family, stemming from a thorough and accurate understanding.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The WildFlower Way

Modalities
Jessica often integrates a range of therapeutic modalities to tailor her approach to each individual child, including:
- Art and Creative Therapies
- EMDR
- Play Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Yoga / Movement
- CBT
- ACT
- DBT
- CPS Model for Behaviours
Common Themes in Child Therapy
- Emotional Regulation
- Social / Communication
- Identity
- Bullying
- Life Events
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- Trauma
- School Can’t (aka “refusal”)
- Friendships
Holistic
Jessica believes in working with your child’s network to provide tailored, well-informed, and individualised support to your child and family. It is important that the people in your child’s life collaborate in supporting your child, including:
- Parents/Caregivers
- Educators
- Allied Health Professionals
- Siblings and Family
Neuroaffirming
The neurodivergent brain is part of normal diversity in human brains. It is its own neurotype, with its own unique quirks, communication styles, and way of doing and being in the world. We believe:
- A variety of communication is valid
- In accomodating sensory needs
- In meeting movement needs
- In adapting the environment to support needs
Unique to Each Child

Jessica spends time assessing the unique needs of your child. She will speak with caregivers, analyse information provided by you, and observe your child, often across different settings (i.e., school and home). This provides rich information for Jessica, yourself, and your child to collaborate on goals and the best approach for your child. Jessica will formulate an intervention plan drawing from her extensive toolbox of experience and resources.

What is Our Therapy Process?

Intake

Our first session is just for parents and caregivers. The aim is to gather information about your child and their lives. Jessica will ask about your child’s history, family situation, and how your child plays. Parents and caregivers can also ask questions and share your goals for your child. You will also be asked to complete questionnaires about your child.
Observation and Assessment

For younger children, Jessica will spend a session observing you and your child play, before moving onto psychologist and child sessions. Parent and child observation sessions enrich information provided by you, and also help your child feel safe and comfortable in the space.
Jessica will assess your child’s ability to emotionally regulate (i.e., self-soothe, calm, and manage intense feelings). Jessica will also observe your child’s communication, sensory differences, executive functioning, play preferences, and relational interactions.
It is important to understand your child’s play preferences because this will be how they best communicate their feelings and explore situations in the language they have access to, play.
Goals and Plan

Following observations and assessments, it is time to collaborate on establishing therapy goals. Jessica will likely have information to share from the assessment and observation phase. Together we will decide what therapy needs are, the priority to begin with, and discuss the next steps, and recommended approach. Your child’s voice is important, and where possible, we want to hear from your child and learn what their goals are.
Intervention Phase

This is where intervention approaches and interventions begin to be implemented to address therapy goals. Sessions continue until therapy goals have been completed, and may include both child and parent. Much of the intervention in this phase is determined by the information gathered in the Intake and Assessment Phase. The chosen structure of therapy will depend heavily on your child. Usually child therapy involves some kind of participation from parents and can involve practicing what we have learnt in session at home.
Termination Phase

Congratulations! Jessica, caregivers, and your child agree that all therapy goals have been met and there are no new goals to accomplish. We review what has been learnt and how to maintain the progress you and your child have made.

Yes, with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP you may be entitled to a Medicare rebate of $96.65. This leaves clients with a gap fee of $133.05 that clients will need to pay out of pocket.
Please enquire with your insurer to see if psychological services are covered on your plan.
Jessica is able to support children as young as 3. She tends to do a mixture of play therapy and parent sessions with young children.
Yes, Jessica supports teenagers. Sessions often incorporate different activities such as arts and crafts, projects, cooking, games, a walk and talk. Jessica is very flexible and client-led.