Where Play Becomes Healing
Exploring how play supports healing and connection for children, families and those who walk alongside them
Services Available
From sand tray therapy for children, to parent support and professional learning, Flourish and Play offer a range of ways to nurture growth, connection, and understanding
Sand Tray Therapy
A gentle and creative form of therapy using miniature figures and a tray of sand to help children, adolescents, and adults express thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and meaningful way. Sessions may also include other therapeutic tools such as art, worksheets, psychoeducational books, and emotion-based activities to support understanding, coping skills, and emotional growth.
Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)
Circle of Security® Parenting is a relationship-based program that helps parents and carers understand their child’s emotional needs and strengthen their connection. Through guided reflection and discussion, parents learn to recognise their child’s cues, support emotional regulation, and respond with confidence and care.
COSP helps parents understand their child’s behaviour through the lens of attachment theory and build confidence in supporting their child’s emotional world.
At Flourish & Play, COSP can be offered in one-on-one sessions, with couples, or, if there is enough interest, in small group workshops—providing space to explore, learn, and grow at your own pace
Counselling
Individual counselling for children, adolescents, adults, and families. Counselling may support anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, grief, trauma, family changes, behavioural concerns, and life transitions. Sessions are tailored to each person and may incorporate a range of creative and practical tools, including worksheets, psycho-educational resources, feelings cards, books, and other emotion-based activities.
About Flourish and Play
Flourish and Play was created as a calm, creative space for emotional growth and connection. It’s a place where people are invited to explore their feelings through storytelling in the sand, parents can build stronger relationships with their children, and professionals can discover how creative therapies support healing and development.
Founded by Tessa McGuire a Sand Tray Counsellor passionate about play-based approaches, Flourish and Play grew from a desire to make emotional support accessible, nurturing, and engaging. With a background in child, youth and family work, and trauma-informed practice, Tessa brings warmth, curiosity, and evidence-informed practice to every session.
Through sand tray therapy, talk-based sessions, and parenting programs like Circle of Security®, Flourish and Play offers a range of ways to support emotional growth. Sessions are tailored to meet each person’s needs, blending creativity, connection, and gentle guidance.
Our Values:
Connection: Building strong, safe relationships as the foundation for growth.
Creativity: Using play, symbols, and stories to explore emotions.
Curiosity: Approaching each person’s experience with openness and compassion.
Growth: Supporting small, steady steps toward emotional wellbeing.
Whether you’re seeking support for your child, guidance in your parenting journey, or professional insight into play-based therapy, you’re in the right place.
Let’s explore how play can become healing.
A Space to Flourish, at Your Own Pace
Whether you're seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family. We honour every story and every stage of growth. Looking forward to helping you on your healing journey.
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What Clients Are Saying
Thoughtful words from clients about their journey with Flourish & Play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sand tray therapy is the primary approach used at Flourish & Play. It is a gentle, creative form of counselling that uses miniature figures and a tray of sand to help children, adolescents, and adults express thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and meaningful way.
Play therapy may also be incorporated into sessions through toys, art, stories, and creative activities. Both approaches support emotional expression, confidence, coping skills, and healing, especially when it is difficult to put feelings into words.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Support may include anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioural challenges, self-esteem, family changes, grief, trauma, social difficulties, and other life challenges.
Flourish & Play is associated with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Sandplay Therapists of Australasia and is COSP-trained.
Your first step is to complete an enquiry form through our contact page. We will then schedule a free phone consultation to discuss your needs and provide additional information about our services.
The next step is an initial consultation and assessment session for parents or carers only. This allows us to gather more information about your family and the concerns you have.
Following this meeting, your child’s therapy sessions will be scheduled, ideally on the same day and time each week.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. The initial consultation & assessment session is longer.
The number of sessions varies for each person. Some clients benefit from short-term support, while others may prefer longer-term therapy. We will regularly review progress together and tailor support to your needs.
Parent or carer involvement depends on the child's age and the reason for attending. Younger children may benefit from parents being involved for part of the session, while older children and teens often benefit from having their own space.
Sessions are confidential; however, there are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality if there are concerns about safety or risk of harm. These limits will be explained during the first session.
Standard Play Therapy and Parent Consultation sessions: $125
Initial Consultation & Assessment: $150
Report writing or attendance at meetings: $125 per hour, plus travel if required