About Play Therapy Corner
Sheridan
Hi I'm Sheridan, thank you for visiting. I love to talk about all things play so please be in touch! I grew up in the Grampians region in Victoria and I have been based in Ballarat for the last ten years. I have two miniature dachshunds that my partner and I love to spend time with, as well as some sheep and chickens. On my weekends and spare time, I enjoy walking, pilates/yoga and going away in our caravan to the beach or river.
My Experience
Throughout my qualified professional experience in the last six years, I have worked in the field of welfare and community services, within school communities and clinical settings. I am qualified in Social Welfare with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and graduated from Federation University in 2015. My initial experience was supporting families within case management, to walk alongside them where they are currently at in their lives, in a safe, empathic and trusting way. The work is led by families and what their short-term and long-term goals are for their family, to enhance the family's overall developmental, social and physical wellbeing. This experience enabled me to gain a thorough understanding of support available within the community for families, including with NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), the early years and education.
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I have two postgraduate degrees, completing the Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Child Play from Deakin University in 2019 and a Masters of Child Play Therapy completed in 2020. This has enabled me to support children and families within educational and clinical settings with a range of presenting diagnoses or referral reasons including; Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, Sensory Processing Disorder, trauma, early intervention (NDIS), grief/loss, history of family violence, separation and blended families, kinship care, anger, low self-esteem and social difficulties.
I am a Registered Play Therapist through APPTA (Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association). APPTA's definition of play therapy is described as; "... the trained play therapist utilises the power of play, within a therapeutic relationship, to relieve suffering, prevent or resolve emotional and behavioural difficulties and to achieve optimal growth and development of children" (APPTA, 2014).
For more information on the membership of APPTA, please follow this link: https://appta.org.au/