Workshop 3.1: Two Sides of the Same Coin - Enhanced Play Therapy Advocacy
Tracks
Health & Wellbeing
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
1:35 PM - 2:40 PM |
Details
Play is more essential than ever, offering a powerful remedy for rising mental health issues, loneliness, and a decline in creativity. Yet, despite its importance, play is often undervalued and underfunded in both research and community settings.
To truly elevate play, we need to show both sides of the “play coin”:
HEADS: The serious consequences of play deprivation - missed developmental opportunities, and a lack of playful connection in childhood.
TAILS: The proven, evidence-based benefits of play - shared through research, storytelling, media, and meaningful engagement with decision-makers.
Only by presenting both the risks of its absence and the power of its presence can we ensure play is seen, respected, and prioritised.
Speaker
Meg Ellard
Clinical Leader, Senior Play Therapist- Supervisor
Playroom Therapy
Play Alchemist
Biography
Dr Kate Renshaw
Director
Play And Filial Therapy
Play Alchemist
Biography
Dr. Kate Renshaw is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and scholar specialising in working with children, families, teachers, schools and communities. With a background in psychology and Art Therapy, Dr. Kate has trained and worked in Australia and the UK. Her professional career of delivering therapeutic services in education settings positions her as a key practitioner in cultivating optimal relationships and environments. Dr. Kate is currently based in regional VIC and works in her private practice – Play and Filial Therapy. She focuses on holistic support through Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Group Play Therapy, and the Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA) - an evidence-based universal mental health and wellbeing approach she designed and researched as part of her PhD candidature.
Playroom Therapy - child and family psychotherapy, helps children to express themselves and make sense of their world the best way they know how - through play. This large team of 12 Master trained Play Therapists is based across two clinics in Melbourne. They are passionate about working with children and supporting families. And offer several types of therapy, as well as parent and teacher coaching and consultation, outreach and consultation services, workshops and community talks.
Natalie Scira
Clinical Lead/senior Play Therapist
Playroom Therapy
Play Alchemist
Biography
