Vision Psychology Brisbane

Open 7 Days - Wishart & Loganholme

Larissa Watter

Larissa Watter

BA Counselling.

Larissa is a registered counsellor who is passionate about working with children and has completed her Certificate in Child Centred Play Therapy.

Counselling for Children

I entered this field because I have a passion for working with children and supporting their wellbeing to live wholesome, healthy and happy lives.

My philosophy when working with children is to understand their journey and walk along-side them through their concerns. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, non-judgemental space while operating rom a person-centred framework that encompasses compassion, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard.

The Person-Centered approach was developed by Carl Rogers in 1961. There are two Person-Centered principles that heavily influence my practice. Firstly, Rogers (1961) believed that as no one else can know how we perceive; we are the best experts of ourselves. The world we live in is the same for all of us, but the way we experience it is different for each individual. Secondly, Rogers believed that the therapeutic journey is on the client’s timeline, rather than the therapist’s.

Evidence based interventions that inform my practice are:

Child Centered Play Therapy: CCPT focuses on the child, rather than their problems. This is accomplished by the therapist allowing the child to lead and to take responsibility of the play agenda. CCPT is comprised of four stages; the exploratory stage, aggressive stage, regressive stage and mastery.

Expressive Therapy: Expressive therapies such as sand-tray, playdough, kinetic sand, drawing, painting and other creative tools invite clients to explore themselves through a creative lens. This allows children to express and release emotional feelings in a safe non-judgemental environment.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: CBT encourages alternate ways of thinking by challenging unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that cause distress. It is based on the concept that a situation can trigger unhelpful thoughts and feelings which influence our behaviour.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: One of ACT’s core messages is accepting what is out of your personal control, and committing to taking action that enriches your life. ACT encompasses principles of mindfulness that are forefront in my approach. Using mindfulness helps children be in the ‘here and now’, reduces anxiety and increases self-awareness, emotional regulation, and awareness of thoughts and feelings.

Narrative Therapy: A result of children developing unhelpful ways of thinking, the way a child may perceive themselves may be negatively influenced. Narrative therapy supports the child to deconstruct the negative story and replace it with a more positive one.

Strengths Based Approach: The strengths based approach is a powerful, positive intervention that can bring awareness for children of what their strengths are and how they can use their strengths to help them through the challenges they face.

Autplay therapy approach: it is an effective play based therapy approach that can be used with working along side children that are living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This approach encourages a collaborative process and focuses on the individual child and highlight their strengths, guide areas of intervention, goals and therapeutic approaches for addressing the needs of the child and family. Autplay comprises of three phases; intake and assessment, structured intervention phase and termination phase. Within these three phases, Autplay uses the therapeutic approaches; Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, Family Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy and Child Centred Play Therapy.

Child Wellbeing

I recognise that sometimes children need extra support to navigate and process through challenges, and am able to help with issues such as:

  • Self-esteem and self-confidence;
  • Anxiety;
  • Depression;
  • Relationships;
  • Parent separation and divorce;
  • Burnout;
  • School stress;
  • Emotional regulation;
  • Mindfulness;
  • Awareness of thoughts and feelings.

To make an appointment with Larissa Watter try Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call M1 Psychology Loganholme on (07) 3067 9129 or Vision Psychology Wishart on (07) 3088 5422.  

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