Play and Expressive Therapies

Welcome to
Net’s Place

 

I specialize in providing support for children, young people, and their families during challenging life experiences.

At Net’s Place I use innovative tools such as Play Therapy and Expressive Therapies to help children and young people embark on their healing journeys.

Is your child struggling

Have you seen challenging behaviours in your child such as:

Depression and social isolation

Is there persistent sadness, withdrawal, distancing from peers or family and changes in behaviour, affecting overall well-being and functioning.

Difficulties making friends

Have you noticed that your child/teenager finds it hard to make and/or keep friends. 

Declining school performance

A noticeable drop in academic achievements and engagement, warranting attention.

Regression

In children and teens, developmental milestones that were previously achieved but now the child/teenager reverts to more immature behaviours. 

Physical aches and pains

This may signal emotional distress, medical concerns, or anxiety, impacting overall well-being and behaviour.

Net’s Place is here to offer support and guidance.

Challenging behaviours such as acting out,

Your child’s / teen’s behaviour is showing you they are struggling with strong feelings and their behaviours  has an impact on  their social and emotional wellbeing

Safe and warm support

Children of all ages and their families can at times, encounter struggles in their lives.  At Net’s Place, we provide a safe and welcoming environment where children and young people can openly communicate with their counsellor.

Play and Expressive Therapies encourage the expression of feelings and emotions, allowing us to work through unresolved issues and difficulties in a secure space. This unique approach supports children of all ages, from 3 years old to teenagers.

Therapeutic sessions take place in our dedicated counselling room. Children and teens can access a range of creative materials that suit their developmental and personal preferences. The room offers a relaxed and safe atmosphere to support freedom and emotional safety. The frequency of the sessions is decided together with the parents and the child . They typically are weekly or forth nightly to start with. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes. Frequency and  tailored to the child’s needs.

What is Net’s place?

 Net’s Place is a haven where children and young people can explore, feel safe, and express their emotions. Annette, the owner and therapist, uses her extensive experience and her childhood nickname “Net” to create a connection with her inner child, thereby fostering an environment where children can uncover their inmost abilities to cope with the outside world.

Annette uses a humanistic approach. Therapy and exploration at Net’s Place offers room for discovering of ‘self’ from the children’s own place inside, thus uncovering their own true abilities to learn how to cope with the outside world. At Net’s place this happens in close partnership with the parents and other supportive people in the child’s life. 

About Annette

I was introduced to Play Therapy during my studies in The Netherlands. I felt fascinated by the world of play and decided to obtain a Post Grad. Diploma in Play Therapy. Once I settled in Australia, I successfully completed a course in Expressive Therapies for Children and Adolescents.

I used this approach in a variety of settings, including residential care, special education, children’s hospitals, a community based therapeutic program for mothers and their young children called Newpin, intensive family support, High Conflict Post separation programs for children and currently as a Child and Family DFV Counsellor. More recently I have been visiting schools as a mobile Play Therapist, using trauma informed practice with children with a disability and children experiencing neglect and abuse.

I am always looking for opportunities to share my skills and knowledge. In October 2008 I contributed a chapter to a book about Newpin. I also conduct workshops on the use of Play Therapy Skills in a variety of settings and do consultancy.

Qualifications:

Youth Welfare Work (Ba., NL), Post grad. Dip. Play Therapy (NL), a Certificate in “Expressive Therapies for Children and Adolescents.” (AU) and Certificate of Play Therapy Skills (AU). Circle Of Security Parenting -DVD certificate as well as COS 10 week intensive, certificate of attendance.

I am a Registered Play Therapist  – Supervisor Member with the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)  Registration #: 13003 

 

Play Therapy and Expressive Therapies

Play Therapy and Expressive Therapies offer powerful tools for children to communicate, process emotions, and foster growth. Through creative outlets, these modalities provide a non-intrusive way to address challenges, building a bridge to understanding and healing in a child-friendly, supportive environment

FAQ’s

Commonly asked questions.

What is Play Therapy?

Children naturally learn about themselves and the world through play. Play helps children communicate, offering them a way to explore their feelings and experiences. By sharing their stories with a supportive counsellor, children can better understand their world, leading to positive changes in their self-image and behaviour.

APPTA’s definition of play therapy: 

Play Therapy is founded on a number of theoretical models whereby the trained play therapist utilises the power of play, within a therapeutic relationship, to relieve suffering, prevent or resolve emotional and behavioural difficulties and to achieve optimal growth and development of children (or older individuals) (2014).

 

What are Expressive Therapies?

Feelings are a fundamental part of our lives, and when children struggle emotionally, it can manifest in various ways. Expressive Therapies, such as creative writing, art, and movement, help children explore their feelings and find new solutions, building confidence and better coping mechanisms. It’s also called expressive arts therapy, art therapy, creative arts therapy, or experiential therapy.

 

What is Symbol Work and the Sand Tray?

Working with symbols allows the unconscious to surface and be addressed consciously. This process can lead to positive changes in behaviour and relationships as unresolved issues are integrated and transformed.

What is a session like?

Sessions at Net’s Place can be held in an office or a playroom, depending on the child’s age and comfort. In the playroom, children are encouraged to explore and express themselves freely through play and artwork. The counsellor provides a warm, accepting relationship, helping children accept themselves and work through unresolved feelings. Older children and young people may engage in directed activities like symbol work and sand-play, journaling, movement, art, and more, all aimed at self-expression and healing.

 Supervision

Net’s Place also offers Play Therapy Supervision, and Annette is a registered Play Therapist Supervisor with (APPTA)

Registration #: 13003

“Within the language of play, children speak the truth
of their hearts, and in that truth,
healing finds its most profound expression.”

further learning

For those interested in further exploration, Annette can provide you with a list of books, videos, and websites related to Play Therapy and child development. Additionally, Annette offers workshops and courses to enhance your understanding of therapeutic work with children.

Child Play Therapy Degree

If you’re interested in a specialist degree in child play therapy, Deakin University offers a Master of Child Play Therapy. This program addresses the unique needs of children experiencing developmental, emotional, trauma, or mental health concerns.

For more information, please visit the Deakin University website.

Net’s Place is here to support your child’s growth, healing, and development. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

COntact Me

Contact can be made by phone or using the form below:

Contact Information

Annette Bex

Phone: 0432 909 732

Email: [email protected]

Location: Caboolture, QLD

embark on a journey to healing and growth

Contact me today

Reach out and start a conversation with Annette, a compassionate counsellor and experienced play/expressive therapist.

Let’s create a path toward positive change together.