Lordjenny82 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Hi, My husband (who is Australian) and I are moving to Victoria, Australia next August. I am applying for the partner visa. I will be gaining a Masters in Play Therapy which I hope to complete in July next year. I have contacted a play therapy organisation in Australia and they have advised me that play therapy is not currently acknowledged as a qualification in Australia so the profession is not protected by the Government. I believe that in a couple of years time play therapy will have developed as a profession in Australia. I am interested in setting up as a play therapist privately but I have no idea where to start so any advice would be helpful. I am also a qualified social worker and have been for 5 years, I have experience in child protection and child and adolescent mental health. I would like to specialise in working with children who have experience mental health issues through using play therapy. Any advice or guidance would be great. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munchkinella Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Hi there :wubclub: Welcome to PIO. Bumping your thread for you. Sorry I can't advise you, but hopefully someone will be along soon who can. Good luck. Jxxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordjenny82 Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 Thanks Munchkinella! I spent a lot of time looking at this site yesterday and think its a great resource :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Hi, Can I ask if you have researched into SW in Oz? I am a SW (CP and LAC 5 years) I have written a post on here as Im struggling with how far behind it is (approx 20 years..and that Aussies saying that) from UK practices. I think if play therapy is what u want to do u should really look into it, as my gut is it will be a lot longer than 3 or so years to be recognised here (Oz). From my experiences Oz does not invest in CP or even work in a child focused way (it wpuld appear more parent focused). I am not saying this is the case for all states/services, however from talking to Aussie and UK SW they all state the same thing, that it is parent focused. To say I am shocked at SW practices in Sydney is an understatement. Play therapy is amazing, but I would advise do your research. I read not very positive posts about SW when I was in the UK, and thought it cant be as bad as people say, and Im seeing it for myself. I hope to find a progressive employer who works in a child centred way, but I must admit Im struggling a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordjenny82 Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 Hi Aymie I totally agree with your view that cp is very parent focused. I worked in cp in Melbourne for 6 months on a working holiday visa in 2010 and had quite an awful experience in terms of the way they manage and the cp system. The courts are extremely parent focused and you can spend most of your time arguing your case to get the right court order. So yes I am aware of how behind Australia are in terms of the child welfare. I know that they are also very behind with play therapy, the reason I decided to specialise in play therapy was that social work did not allow me to have enough 1:1 work with children due to the amount of paperwork you have to do and also lack of resources/time which I am sure you can empathise with. This is the reason I am planning to work privately as a play therapist initially anyway, however, I know that my social work qualification could be used as an avenue to play therapy. I know that many schools need play therapy and so this is how I hope to get myself known. I really do feel for your situation, I have a friend who left cp in Melbourne as he felt the same as me and he now works for a charity working with refugees which he really enjoys. Some of the UK staff that work in Melbourne cp have stayed there a long time trying to make a difference to their parent focused way but it is a real challenge. I hope this has helped in some way. Jenny :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 So pleased you know the situaton, I was so naive thinking Oz couldnt be THAT different to the UK!! How wrong! I worked for a charity (probably the same one!?) working with asylum seekers who had just come out of detention, it was OK but left as my passon is working with vulnerable YP and families. You just would not get away with the stuff they do here, saw a child abuser get an AVO!!!! Seriously...a restraining order!!! for horrific child abuse!! blows my mind! Would be amazing if all us Poms helped change Oz SW to child centred. I dont understand how CP cant be child centred!? Rant over! Arghh! Wishing you all the best with Play Therapy x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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