Creative Kids Therapy in Belgrave, Victoria, Australia | Mental health service

Creative Kids Therapy

Locality: Belgrave, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 421 477 781

Address: Waratah Ave 3160 Belgrave, VIC, Australia

Website: http://creativekidstherapy.com.au/

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• Mental health service

25.01.2022 HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today I started back with clients I’ve had a nice break, getting away a few times for some short trips camping with the family and friends and even a city escape WOW what a year 2020 is to reflect on, I remember this time last year feeling excited about the new year and what I was planning to bring. Well, did that all turn around and I’m sure none of us knew what we were in for ... I suppose as hard as some of it was at times and, the emotional roller coaster for me was real! I wanted to acknowledge some things I was able to achieve. Home schooling a 4yr old and 9yr old. Supporting my kids and family through whatever emotions were flowing or clashing. Enjoyed family walks and slowly life down. Re assessing how do I want things to be with my work. Trained and became an Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)Practitioner. Started selling my custom made essential oil rollers when clients needed them. To help with sleep, anxiety, to calm down. Created a NEW resource for kids that I will launch this year. KEEP CALM KITS (watch this space!! ) Did creative online Art Therapy sessions for kids, using art, toys, drawing on my resource cards and Sandplay symbols. Worked more with adults, mainly Mums doing individual sessions too. So all in all even though it was not an easy ride for me living in lockdown for so long, somehow I still showed up and was able to find ways to connect and create. I have to say the start of 2021 has made me feel a little nervous and unsure at times of what this year will bring. But, we survived 2020 and when we look around at were others are around the world, we are in a much BETTER place. How are you feeling with the start of 2021? All the best for this year xo

25.01.2022 HOME LEARNING IS OVER!!! WOW ... We did it, what a roller coaster the journey has been. Couldn’t be more proud of my GIRL she’s put in a great effort!! The last couple of weeks have got more harder, she’s just so ready to be back at school!! ... There is things she’ll miss like baking, having LONG breaks, EATING whenever, going at her PACE and big family walks I have loved the SLOW down and while I’m looking forward to some kind of new normal, I will MISS her. It hasn’t been easy for her, missing friendships so much and her amazing teacher. All the best gorgeous girl transitioning back to school...LOVE you

25.01.2022 Kids and TEAM sports This year my almost 9 yr old started playing Netball and I just love this, not only because I love and still play Netball but for how wonderful it is to see her be involved in a team sport!! Team sports for kids has so many benefits: ... Building friendships and socialisation skills Learning to work as a team, support and encourage others Fitness, regular exercise and learning new skills in a sport Increased confidence, self esteem and leadership skills Commitment It has been such a positive experience for my daughter and their team are a great bunch of kids that all get along and have improved so much What sports are your kids loving?

25.01.2022 PARENTS WITH TEENS!! Check this out a good friend Mel Hooper from Melsways Women's Fitness is involved in this great event to help get teens connected and support their well being!! Have a look at the details. Fantastic

24.01.2022 WE DID IT!! The day has come both my kids are at Kinder and School woohoo!!! It’s been so long and all this time in lockdown can feel like a blur. I was so happy but I still had some tears My daughter was so excited to be heading back to school her bag was packed and ready by the front door yesterday morning. ... We did it!!! ... even though there has been some hard days, and I have yelled too much at times, kids have been bored, kids not keen to do home learning. We have stuck out it as a team and had good times, lots of adventures and navigated through the emotions and made it to this day. Let’s hope they get to stay for this term at Kinder and School. I would love to say I hope we don’t have to do home learning again too, that’s all packed up in our house. All the best to Melbourne families for those that could drop off kids and hang in there for the ones with older kids that have another couple of weeks

23.01.2022 INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS How are we all travelling at home with the kids? How is the sibling relationships going? It's been a little wet and miserable the last few days here in Melbourne which can make things more intense at home and the energy a little low. ... Here is a great list of ideas to maybe help change up the dynamic at home. You could print it off and get the kids to pick some out. Or for a parent it could be good to have some new ideas to suggest for the kids. The days can seem LONG at the moment, so hopefully there might be some fresh NEW ideas in here to help Another great resource from Big lIfe Journal, take care and hang in there x https://drive.google.com//1U26PKLsQ-FpPrx3OUzDDkLqK2/view

23.01.2022 R U OK DAY!! Yesterday was R U OK DAY & WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY! I’ve made another video still not comfortable doing these but thought it was an important way to connect. ... Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Lifeline 13 11 14 How are you and your kids doing? Stay safe, take care and reach out

22.01.2022 KIDS & CONNECTING IN ISO How have your kids been connecting with their friends? It hasn’t been an easy time for kids, not being at school, can’t go out, can’t catch up with their friends, for a lot not seeing grandparents and not doing their usual sporting activities. ... Some kids are connecting online and having video chats which has been great. I know for my 4 yr old it’s been hard as his a bit young to connect and feel comfortable to chat on video Our kids and some of their friends are writing letters, doing drawings and making things to drop in their friends letterbox. Kids love getting something in the mail it’s such a great way to show you care and show how much you miss them Staying connected...hopefully this week will see some changes and our kids can catch up with some friends

22.01.2022 MENTAL HEALTH DAY My 8yr old daughter has been struggling with end of term so near. Tired, emotional and everything seems just a little too hard...big sigh So we decided to have a little getaway and let her have a day off to go to the snow. ... It was so great to just take her away, connect, have some fun and do something a little unexpected. You may be thinking it’s nearly school holidays, but for us it felt right and we had the opportunity to do it!! I too was in need of time out, some quality Mummy daughter time and all be able to share in something we love together. Mental health days do you take them as a parent or would you allow your child one?

22.01.2022 I’M BACK !! Woohoo It’s been a couple of months maybe longer I’ve been working creatively online with kids and parents. While I thought it wasn’t going to work for some of my younger clients, I was pleasantly surprised how it did. I suppose we all had to be open to the situation and I had to still be creative in my approach and get kids using what they had at home toys, play doh, pencils and paper. From my end I could still bring on creatives resources I use to ass...ist in the sessions. The last couple of weeks some of the younger clients were feeling tired from doing things online and they have been able to head back to school. So it was so refreshing and wonderful to be able to be back in the office yesterday. Doing what I love face to face again. Yippee It’s been too long we are all needing to connect in person again, it was so wonderful to see the smiles on kids faces. Hang in there Melbourne so many business still not open

21.01.2022 PLAYGROUNDS ARE OPEN!! The EXCITEMENT was real yesterday when kids in Melbourne could go play in a playground again and to top it off it was a beautiful sunny Spring day It was just so gorgeous to watch kids running around, being kids, playing on the playgrounds, swinging high, going fast down the slides. ... So much to do and explore, while laughing and, the amazing sounds of kids talking or engrossed in some imaginative world. Wow...we needed a lift it’s so good for kids and parents. The pic of the kids and I on our way... Hang in there Melbourne Xx

20.01.2022 TERM 4 OF 2020!! WOW... What a term after the year we have had slowly coming out of our lockdown. I’ve been very quiet on the social media front ... oops I think there has been a lot going on for me getting back into life and work. My work has been busy but more with my private clients the work I usually do in schools took to quite late in the term to be able to be back in schools. ... I did have the opportunity to create and facilitate an all day school program for Grade 6’s at a school in Mt Evelyn. It was a really great day giving the students a space to: Reflect on how they were feeling through art. Connect and share with their peers and teachers. Create their own Vision Board for heading into High School. Make a Mandala and positive message to themselves. A day of relaxed students sharing in a positive, creative process and with the perfect timing of transition of High School the next day. Thought I’d share a few pics of the day, there were a lot of students and it was so great to be facilitating such a day. I had missed my Art Therapy Groups I normally run. Hopefully 2021 we won’t have the school disruptions and I can run groups again. Such a great day to share in with these students, they were very grateful and happy to be involved in it

19.01.2022 How will your KIDS remember this time Our kids are feeling it right now they are the little HEROES in all this. So much change and they are stuck at home, can’t go to school, kinder, see family and friends. It’s been worrying me how my two are coping I can already see they are a little more emotional and sensitive to things ... We are all feeling it and as hard as some of these times will be these next few months let’s do what we can to make it as best for our kids. I say that without putting extra expectations on as parents that we have to be PERFECT and get it all right This one made me cry but loved its message.

19.01.2022 HARPERS ARMY Last year sadly a young boy Harper and his Dad where tragically killed from a falling tree while driving in their car not far from where we live. I work at a local school where Harper was from and supported a friend of his through his grief and trauma of this. ... I recently have found out more about Harper and the leader and environmental activist he was in his short life. Today me and the kids have picked up 238 pieces of rubbish to support in his legacy. Please read about him, share this and pick up some rubbish for him. @1piecearmy #Hitting1Million4Harper

18.01.2022 A singing MANTRA ...LOVE IT! With schools closed and more time with our kids and huge changes to routines. I loved when I came across this gorgeous catchy little song. Mantra’s are great to use to help change our mindset. ... But singing it does seem to make you smile more I reckon. What do you think, check it out? Take care everyone

17.01.2022 COVID-19 and KIDS How are we all travelling? How are your kids coping? I have to say I felt I was doing ok but the last week or so I’ve definitely had moments of overwhelm and stress trying to figure out what is the right and best thing to do!! ... Here is a great little resource to show kids, to help them understand more about COVID-19. There is a lot of change happening some people working from home, some schools closing, some families choosing to home school and lots of social isolating starting and social distancing. WOW so HUGE in so many ways. For our KIDS here are something’s that could be good to consider: Give information that is age appropriate about COVID -19. Try not let kids watch the news or limit there exposure to constantly hearing about it. Be available and tell them you will answer any questions they have. Check in to see how they are feeling about everything going on. If self isolating look at setting up some routines to your day. Get some fresh air and exercise. Creating a healthy immune system. Our kids are always watching and listening be mindful of conversations and how we are managing it all too. Feel free to reach out I am still working and seeing clients however, taking precautions and I’m also looking at setting up some online services for parents and kids. Take care

16.01.2022 Check this out!! Chrissie is amazing from Chaos to Calm Consultancy this would be a great webinar to get onboard with. I am sure I could get some new tips and ideas for my nearly 4yr old boy

14.01.2022 TERM 3 is COMPLETE!! Can’t believe we have just finished Term 3, this year is flying!! Busy term here for me, feeling pretty happy with myself and the work I’ve been able to share: ... 2 Art Therapy Groups in schools, facilitated one in Yarra Ranges and Knox Region for Grade 6 students. Working in a new school seeing students individually offering my Counselling and Art Therapy. Growing my new location for individual Counselling and Art Therapy work at TLC Birth and Beyond as well as my private practise in Belgrave. To top it off even got an editorial published on working with Sandplay Therapy with Teens Love the work I get to do and the diversity I get to experience through developing, facilitating Art Therapy groups and the work I do Individually in schools and in private practise. School holiday time for me is a little slower pace with work but quality time with the kids

14.01.2022 CREATING POSITIVE MINDET My daughter has been loving her new Big Life Journal for kids. With this journal she has nominated me to be her BUDDY to check in with her, connect and talk about the different activities in this book. It’s so important for us to help our kids learn about their own unique strengths and assist them to find ways to be more positive and to believe in themselves. ... Life will always have challenges and a lot of our kids can experience challenges early on and will need help navigating and finding ways to manage that. At Big life Journal they have lots of great free, useful printables that could help your kids and teens to build a positive mindset!! Check out the link here to find out more info www.biglifejournal.com

10.01.2022 REAL KINDER Wow ... that was a little emotional for me but the drop off went well as he met his BEST friend and walked in. So HARD as a parent after 10 weeks of having him home to not head into kinder to settle him in! ... He was excited this morning as he says to me, am I going to REAL KINDER??!!! We’ve been talking about all the positives and fun he was going to have. Looking at his group kinder photo and talking about who he’d play with and what games. Talking about the new routine when he goes in to Kinder and then what he’ll do first there. We’ve been visiting Kinder during ISO talking to his teachers through the gates and borrowing some toys. It was almost like a second first day of Kinder drop off. Hope my little man has an amazing day. It is already so quiet and weird not having him around. How’s your week been with those who have kids heading back?

08.01.2022 PUPPY LOVE I have definitely been a little quiet here, it’s been an exciting time in our family welcoming a new Jack Russell puppy into our life’s. Meet Skip everyone For a long time my daughter has been hanging to have a puppy and finally the timing was right. ... Skip has been in our lives for the last 4 weeks and he has experienced a couple of camping trips away and is settling into our family Home beautifully. Straight away there was love, the kids have a new best friend, companion, our family couldn’t imagine life without him. How amazing is having a puppy for kids the bond is just so special. My heart is full

07.01.2022 RAINBOW TRAIL In these times of social distancing I loved the idea of creating rainbows and spreading LOVE in this challenging time. People are creating rainbows and positive messages in lots of different ways from their home, so kids can see on their walks. ... The best way for us living in the hills was to paint our letterbox. It’s been great to see the smiles when people walk by I hope you are all doing ok. #rainbowtrail

07.01.2022 HOME LEARNING HAS STARTED I just thought I’d do a check in, in a way I haven’t done before. I have put together a short little video to say HI It’s not perfect way too many UM’s but I felt like I needed to touch base differently and I’m going to try not to pick it a to pieces too much ... Some days are hard at the moment and other days I feel a little more on top of things. How are you all travelling?

05.01.2022 2020 is in FULL SWING!! I’ve been very quiet, I hope everyone’s year is getting off to a good start. The January period meant I got to have some lovely family time with a couple of camping trips, fortunately not in areas affected by fires. A lot of times catching up with good friends. ... Heading back to school has been concentrating on settling kids into Kinder and School. Kids are loving it Creative Kids Therapy is getting busier with planning and organising of my work for each term. A mixture of work in schools, doing individual and Art Therapy Groups and then private practise work. I also have some exciting ideas for some new additions to my work, which I think kids and families will LOVE and BENEFIT from ...

05.01.2022 MASKS TO MY UGGS So how is everyone travelling? Us here in Melbourne are in Stage 4 lockdown...... WOW never in my life time would I imagine this to be happening I’ll be honest I’ve been struggling a bit with it all coming out of lockdown for not that long and than to go back in. I feel for the kids and I know right now this next stage would be effecting a lot of families with work. For me Stage 4 means that I can no longer do face to face work unless there is really high risk situation with clients. So now all my work has moved to online. So I’ve gone from having lots of COVID safety practises in place and wearing a MASK to now creatively working while online and not getting out of my UGGS all day I’m sure there are lots of others working from home and are relaxed in their attire. My first session today I had a 6 year old still in his dinosaur PJS. The other day a kid had his session in the car, for some privacy from his little siblings Whatever works in these times to get us through. Hang in there and stay strong

04.01.2022 PETS IN ISO We are so lucky we got our puppy Skip at the end of last year. Who would’ve known this year was going to be like it is and, what a great way for him to feel so connected with us Spending majority of our time in lockdown since March we couldn’t of asked for more of a best friend for everyone in our family with Skip around. ... His been on daily walks and adventures, there for us when we need a cuddle, someone to chat too, always wagging his tail happy and always happy to see us. He goes everywhere with us. His going to miss the kids as they head back to Kinder and School tomorrow. We could’ve done this year without you in our lives Skip your the best!! Let me see a pic of your Pet that’s been there for you during this crazy year

01.01.2022 HAPPY ISO MOTHER’S DAY Well this will be a Mother’s Day to remember. No rushing around to different catch ups with family. Just at home with not a lot to do but BE with your kids. I have to say I got a little spoilt with extra time in bed, breakfast, dinner, kids homemade gifts and cards ... Us Mumma’s do a lot but right now we have just taken more on in our stride ...our load it’s what we do!! I am sure we will look back on this time and think wow that was a LOT we had to take on. Home learning, 24/7 with our kids for most, lack of connecting with others, the usual managing a home, juggling working from home and managing our kids wellbeing through this time I say CHEERS to us MUMMA’S we are doing a great job. I really hope you got to have some self care and LOVE today