Child-led play therapy in a safe, nurturing environment

At Curious Box, your child’s individual needs are our primary focus. We’ve created a curiosity-sparking environment that helps all children thrive.  

mericia offers child counseling brisbane

Our Therapy Services

PARENT-CHILD THERAPIES

Our parent-child therapies focus on strengthening family relationships by improving communication, trust, and emotional connection through structured play and therapeutic activities tailored to each family’s unique needs.

TALK BASED COUNSELLING FOR OLDER PRIMARY/TEENS

At Curious Box, we help older children and teens build resilience, overcome challenges and develop healthy coping strategies through age-appropriate talk-based counselling in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.

CHILD-CENTRED PLAY THERAPY (CCPT)

At Curious Box Therapy, we offer Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), using play as a natural, age-appropriate way for children aged 3-12 to explore their inner and outer world in a safe, engaging space.

CHILD-CENTRED GROUP PLAY THERAPY (CCGPT)

CCGPT provides a safe space for children to engage in group play, where they can express emotions, build social skills, and develop problem-solving abilities with support from an experienced play therapist.

PARENT/GUARDIAN SUPPORT OR CONSULTATION SERVICES

We also offer personalised guidance and strategies to parents and guardians, helping them better understand and support their child’s emotional and developmental needs through expert advice and practical tools.

child therapist near me

The Power of Play

About Us

Welcome to Curious Box Play Therapy! I’m Mercia Armstrong, a passionate play therapist with a love for creating spaces where children can flourish. With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and a background in social work, I bring both expertise and warmth to my play therapy clinic.  

At Curious Box, I blend creative play with child-led exploration to foster healing in a safe, nurturing environment. My approach is all about sparking curiosity and empowering kids to navigate their emotions. Through the power of play, I help children and families connect, heal, and grow together. 

Why Curious Box Therapy?

At Curious Box, we offer more than play—our play therapy is a transformative experience where children, teens, and families feel supported and empowered on their journey toward healing and growth. We are a child-centred, strength-based, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming service. This means we focus on each child’s unique strengths and needs, recognising their potential for self-discovery and growth through play.

Our approach encourages children to explore their abilities, talents, and resources, facilitating a positive shift in how they perceive themselves and their world. We understand the profound impact trauma and life challenges can have on a child’s development, so we tailor our interventions to meet each child’s needs. We also integrate neuro-informed practices, ensuring our neurodiverse clients receive the specialised care they deserve.

At Curious Box, we believe every child has the capacity for internal growth. Through the therapeutic power of play, we create a safe, compassionate space where children can build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.

counselling for children brisbane

Why Play Therapy?

Adverse life events can impact children’s physical and emotional well-being, resulting in confusing or overwhelming emotions such as anger, sadness, anxiety, or guilt. Play therapy is a child-centred therapeutic approach that recognises that children and teens often communicate and process these emotions through play. It is a practical and age-appropriate resource for addressing various concerns. Play helps individuals process experiences and develop effective strategies for managing their worlds.

We help children and teens who:

  • Have experienced trauma or are living in complex circumstances
  • Struggle with self-regulating capacity and may have communication difficulties or behavioural concerns
  • May be unable to engage in other therapies for various reasons
  • May feel overwhelmed or anxious regularly
  • Are experiencing grief and loss (including parent separation)
  • Are living with disabilities
  • Have a diagnoses of ASD/ADHD/ADD/ODD plus more
  • Are having school difficulties
  • Have experienced medical trauma and chronic illness
  • May be living with a family member suffering from mental or physical illness
  • Preverbal or nonverbal children who struggle with language and communication barriers to express their emotions, thoughts and feelings

At Curious Box, we create a safe, nurturing environment where each child can heal through play, unlocking their full potential and fostering growth. If your child is navigating any of these challenges, we are here to support them every step of the way.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and be the first to receive exciting updates and expert tips

child behavioral therapist brisbane

The way we play at Curious Box

Play Therapy Brisbane

Play therapy is a specialised form of counselling tailored to children’s developmental and emotional needs. It allows children to process their experiences and emotions in a safe, nurturing space through the natural language of play. The most effective play therapy happens in environments that foster creativity, joy, and exploration, allowing children to heal, grow, and thrive.

In Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) sessions, children are given the freedom to express their thoughts and feelings in ways that feel natural to them—whether through toys, imaginative play, or creative expression. At Curious Box Therapy, we create emotionally safe and supportive spaces where children are empowered to explore both their inner and outer worlds.

Recognising that every child is unique, play therapy offers a pathway to strengthening emotional regulation, building resilience, and developing self-confidence. It promotes healthier coping strategies, enhances self-esteem, and fosters meaningful relationships, equipping children with the tools to navigate challenges and thrive in their everyday lives.

Child-centred Play Therapy Clinic

At Curious Box, we understand that each child’s journey is different. That’s why our play therapy sessions are tailored to meet your child’s individual needs. Whether you’re seeking support for behavioural challenges, emotional concerns, or social development, our approach is personalised to your child and family. We integrate various therapeutic play methods, from art and music to storytelling and games, allowing children to explore their creativity and express themselves in ways that resonate with them. We aim to ignite curiosity, foster emotional growth, and provide children with the tools to thrive in therapy and beyond.

behavioral therapy for kids brisbane

What is child-centred play therapy?

Child-centred play therapy is an effective and proven way to help children overcome emotional, social, behavioural or neurological issues in a safe, supporting and nurturing environment. Here are a few crucial aspects of child-centred play therapy you should know: 

play based therapy near me brisbane

The natural language of play

Children often communicate and process emotions differently from adults. For young children, play is their most natural and instinctive expression. Play therapy, with its non-judgmental approach, harnesses this powerful medium, offering children a safe space to explore their emotions, solve problems, and express themselves without needing words. Through play, children can process their experiences, gain insight, and navigate their inner world in a natural way that supports their developmental needs.

christian play therapy near me

Building real connections

At the heart of play therapy is the trusting relationship between the therapist and the child. This bond is essential for healing, as it creates a safe space where the child feels accepted, understood, and supported. At Curious Box, we embrace each child precisely as they are, fostering an environment of unconditional positive regard. Through this genuine connection, we build trust, paving the way for meaningful growth and emotional healing at every step of the therapeutic journey.

Non-directive play

In child-centred play therapy, your child takes the lead, freely exploring and guiding their play experiences. This approach, often called child-led play therapy, allows children to express themselves at their own pace. The therapist provides gentle support and guidance while prioritising creating a trusting connection without directing or interrupting the child’s play. This non-directive environment fosters creativity, emotional exploration, and self-discovery, empowering children to navigate their inner world in a safe and supportive space.

brisbane therapist

What’s next?

We want to partner with you as you seek support for your child and family’s wellbeing. By working together we can aim to empower your child on their journey towards self-discovery and growth.

The Play Therapy Process:

1
FREE 15-minute initial phone consultation to assess need and suitability
2
60 – 90-minute initial parent consult Creation of a treatment plan tailored to your child’s individual needs
3
45-minute weekly sessions based on assessment.
4
60-minute, 3-4 weekly follow-up parent consult to review treatment plan