A play-full approach to therapy

  1. The Practice

    Emma has long held a vision for a children’s and family mental health practice with a difference. A place that would be warm and inviting, where children can feel safe to explore their inner world and be seen and understood for who they are, and where parents feel supported and know they are doing their best. She wanted a modern approach to therapy by creating a creative and play-full space that would embrace difference and diversity and emphasise natural abilities and strengths.

    This new practice is called The Play Studio and it is a trauma-informed design that provides a safe space, to play, create, and heal.

    At The Melbourne Play Studio, we are a collective of experienced therapists who believe strongly in a humanistic offering of therapy meeting people where they are at, so they can unfold in ways that enable an authentic and fluid becoming of self. The therapeutic modalities we use are evidence-based but without a ‘clinical’ feeling. Our focus and interest is in strengthening a whole you, decided by you, by what is important to you.

    We offer Adult & Child Psychotherapy, Infant Mental Health, Play Therapy, and Arts Therapy; each effective approaches in trauma healing and recovery, and restoring psychological health and emotional well-being from the youngest clients through to the more grown-up kind. Our philosophy is in taking a ‘play-full’ approach in supporting clients overcome issues arising from early life and developmental trauma, PTSD/C-PTSD, attachment difficulties, perinatal and mental health issues including anxiety,depression, and eating issues.

  2. Where are we?

    You can find The Melbourne Play Studio at:
    264 St Kilda Road, St Kilda Vic 3182

    Map of St Kilda

  3. About Emma

    Emma has worked in the area of complex trauma and mental health for almost 15 years as a therapist, academic, and researcher. For the past seven years, she has held various senior roles at a family violence service coordinating the arts therapy and infant mental health (0-5 years) programs for women and children (0-17years) who have experience family violence. She now holds a consultancy role in infant mental health advocating for therapeutic needs children who are in the child protection system. She has presented on her work both nationally and internationally, and is currently the chief investigator of a research project evaluating a mother-infant group psychotherapy program for families impacted by FV.

    She is experienced in evidence-based treatments for PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and trauma, individual and family counselling, and crisis intervention. Emma adopts a trauma-informed approach using client-centred, holistic and creative modes that not only support clients to recover from trauma, eating disorders and associated interpersonal and self-esteem issues, but to heal and move towards a meaningful life.

    Emma holds a Master of Counselling (2007) and BA (Psychology) (2003) both from the University of Queensland and recently submitted her Professional Doctorate in Creative Arts Practice through the MIECAT Institute. Emma is completing advanced clinical training in Child Psychotherapy to further extend her expertise in working with infants, children, and families.

    Emma is recognised as a clinical member with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) adhering to their code of ethics.

    PACFA

    Emma is also a member of the Australian Association of Infant Mental Health (AAIMHI).

  4. Contact Me!

    Email me directly or via the Melbourne Play Studio or give us a call:
    Dr Emma van Daal
    emma@dremmavandaal.au
    hello@theplaystudio.com.au
    0492 875 180