Frequently Asked Questions

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We offer a free 15min phone consultation to discuss your needs and assess suitability of the service. Contact us at info@empowerkidsnewcastle.com.au to book a time.

A meeting with the parent/s or carer/s is scheduled to learn about the child and the concerns. This meeting is held without the child and can be held in person or virtually. 

If your child is participating in Play Therapy sessions, it is recommended that an initial block of 10-12 weekly sessions be scheduled. This allows time for children to build a trusting, therapeutic relationship with the therapist, and to work through big feelings. A parent/carer review meeting will be held during this block of treatment to review goals, progress and plan any subsequent sessions.  Some children require longer blocks of treatment to process complex issues or trauma. This will be discussed in review meetings.

Therapy to support children prepare for a medical procedure will be discussed on an individual basis.

Parents and carers are an important part of the Play Therapy process. Parents attend intake and review meetings. Individual sessions are considered the private therapy space for the child. Parents are welcome to wait in the waiting room or nearby. The therapist will work with you to support your child to feel comfortable in the playroom, which may involve parents being present in the first few sessions. You are welcome to request an appointment to discuss your child's progress at any time.

Let your child know that they will be meeting Michelle, a Play Therapist, who can help children  with tricky feelings. You can explain that there will be toys, arts and craft in the playroom, and that they will be able to choose what they would like to do. You can also let them know that you will be in the waiting room.

It's a good idea to make sure that you arrive on time to avoid stress and ensure your child has had a drink, snack and been to the toilet. This will minimise interruptions during the session.  

Play Therapy can sometimes be hard work. While your child may enjoy coming to the playroom, there may be times where they are working through challenges. To best support your child, we recommend that you do not place a focus on fun. You could try asking if there is anything they would like to tell you about the session. Sometimes children may like to process their experience before talking about it. Please check in with the therapist if you have any concerns.

We understand that sometimes things come up. Children need to be well to have the energy to participate in therapy. Cancellations within 48hrs may incur a fee. The cancellation policy will be discussed in the parent intake meeting. 

Empower Kids Newcastle accepts payment by card in the clinic, or by direct deposit with 7 day payment terms from invoice date.

All NDIS participants will be provided with an invoice for payment.

If you are experiencing issues with payment of fees, please let us know.