Teleplay Therapy: Bridging Children’s Mental Health Service Gaps in Rural Communities
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
Overview
Associate Professor Judi Parson and Lucy Griffin, Deakin University and Alyce Goss, Be Centre
Presenter
Associate Professor Judi Parson
Associate Professor In Play Therapy
Deakin University
Teleplay Therapy: Bridging Children’s Mental Health Service Gaps in Rural Communities
Presentation Overview
Rural communities often face significant barriers to accessing mental health services, particularly for children who require developmentally appropriate therapeutic support. Geographic isolation, limited availability of trained professionals, and long wait times all contribute to these inequities. Teleplay therapy leverages digital technology to deliver play therapy remotely, helping to address these service gaps by providing a practical, accessible, and evidence-based mental health intervention tailored to children's developmental needs. This study explores the effectiveness of teleplay therapy from the perspectives of children, their parents, and therapists.
This mixed-methods research design integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregiver-reported measures of therapeutic alliance, and therapist self-use scales. These tools provided insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural functioning, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist’s use of self within the teleplay context. Qualitative data included post-intervention interviews with parents and children to capture personal experiences, as well as therapists’ supervision reflection field notes, which were thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.
Preliminary findings highlight the potential of teleplay therapy to foster meaningful therapeutic engagement and positive outcomes for children and families in rural and remote areas. These insights will inform the development of best practices and contribute to the creation of a teleplay therapy manual, supporting practitioners in delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions across diverse settings.
By directly addressing barriers to therapy through a child-centred, technology-enabled model, this study advances innovative solutions for improving mental health support in underserved regions. It provides valuable evidence for the integration of teleplay therapy into broader mental health service delivery frameworks, promoting equity and accessibility for all children regardless of location.
This mixed-methods research design integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregiver-reported measures of therapeutic alliance, and therapist self-use scales. These tools provided insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural functioning, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist’s use of self within the teleplay context. Qualitative data included post-intervention interviews with parents and children to capture personal experiences, as well as therapists’ supervision reflection field notes, which were thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.
Preliminary findings highlight the potential of teleplay therapy to foster meaningful therapeutic engagement and positive outcomes for children and families in rural and remote areas. These insights will inform the development of best practices and contribute to the creation of a teleplay therapy manual, supporting practitioners in delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions across diverse settings.
By directly addressing barriers to therapy through a child-centred, technology-enabled model, this study advances innovative solutions for improving mental health support in underserved regions. It provides valuable evidence for the integration of teleplay therapy into broader mental health service delivery frameworks, promoting equity and accessibility for all children regardless of location.
Biography
Associate Professor Judi Parson, PhD, is a paediatric Registered Nurse, Play Therapist/Supervisor, and Discipline Leader for Play Therapy at Deakin University, Australia, and Honorary Professor at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. A co-founder of key industry bodies including the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA). Judi is an internationally recognised author, presenter, educator, and researcher, with expertise in medical play therapy, intercultural collaboration, and digital health technologies to support children's psychosocial wellbeing.
Lucy Griffin
Research Assistant
Deakin University
Teleplay Therapy: Bridging Children’s Mental Health Service Gaps in Rural Communities
Presentation Overview
Rural communities often face significant barriers to accessing mental health services, particularly for children who require developmentally appropriate therapeutic support. Geographic isolation, limited availability of trained professionals, and long wait times all contribute to these inequities. Teleplay therapy leverages digital technology to deliver play therapy remotely, helping to address these service gaps by providing a practical, accessible, and evidence-based mental health intervention tailored to children's developmental needs. This study explores the effectiveness of teleplay therapy from the perspectives of children, their parents, and therapists.
This mixed-methods research design integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregiver-reported measures of therapeutic alliance, and therapist self-use scales. These tools provided insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural functioning, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist’s use of self within the teleplay context. Qualitative data included post-intervention interviews with parents and children to capture personal experiences, as well as therapists’ supervision reflection field notes, which were thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.
Preliminary findings highlight the potential of teleplay therapy to foster meaningful therapeutic engagement and positive outcomes for children and families in rural and remote areas. These insights will inform the development of best practices and contribute to the creation of a teleplay therapy manual, supporting practitioners in delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions across diverse settings.
By directly addressing barriers to therapy through a child-centred, technology-enabled model, this study advances innovative solutions for improving mental health support in underserved regions. It provides valuable evidence for the integration of teleplay therapy into broader mental health service delivery frameworks, promoting equity and accessibility for all children regardless of location.
This mixed-methods research design integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregiver-reported measures of therapeutic alliance, and therapist self-use scales. These tools provided insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural functioning, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist’s use of self within the teleplay context. Qualitative data included post-intervention interviews with parents and children to capture personal experiences, as well as therapists’ supervision reflection field notes, which were thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.
Preliminary findings highlight the potential of teleplay therapy to foster meaningful therapeutic engagement and positive outcomes for children and families in rural and remote areas. These insights will inform the development of best practices and contribute to the creation of a teleplay therapy manual, supporting practitioners in delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions across diverse settings.
By directly addressing barriers to therapy through a child-centred, technology-enabled model, this study advances innovative solutions for improving mental health support in underserved regions. It provides valuable evidence for the integration of teleplay therapy into broader mental health service delivery frameworks, promoting equity and accessibility for all children regardless of location.
Biography
Lucy Griffin is a Registered Play Therapist (MCPT) and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (BSPath Hons) with a background in tertiary mental health and early childhood intervention. She operates a private practice in Carnarvon, WA, delivering family-centred play therapy. In addition to her local practice, Lucy works with children and families via telehealth across Australia. She is a member of the Deakin University Master of Child Play Therapy teaching and research team. Her Master’s research examined the mechanisms of change in filial therapy and is published in the International Journal of Play Therapy. She is passionate about improving access to developmentally appropriate care in rural communities.
Alyce Goss
Tele-Play Therapist
Be Centre
Teleplay Therapy: Bridging Children’s Mental Health Service Gaps in Rural Communities
Presentation Overview
Rural communities often face significant barriers to accessing mental health services, particularly for children who require developmentally appropriate therapeutic support. Geographic isolation, limited availability of trained professionals, and long wait times all contribute to these inequities. Teleplay therapy leverages digital technology to deliver play therapy remotely, helping to address these service gaps by providing a practical, accessible, and evidence-based mental health intervention tailored to children's developmental needs. This study explores the effectiveness of teleplay therapy from the perspectives of children, their parents, and therapists.
This mixed-methods research design integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregiver-reported measures of therapeutic alliance, and therapist self-use scales. These tools provided insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural functioning, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist’s use of self within the teleplay context. Qualitative data included post-intervention interviews with parents and children to capture personal experiences, as well as therapists’ supervision reflection field notes, which were thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.
Preliminary findings highlight the potential of teleplay therapy to foster meaningful therapeutic engagement and positive outcomes for children and families in rural and remote areas. These insights will inform the development of best practices and contribute to the creation of a teleplay therapy manual, supporting practitioners in delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions across diverse settings.
By directly addressing barriers to therapy through a child-centred, technology-enabled model, this study advances innovative solutions for improving mental health support in underserved regions. It provides valuable evidence for the integration of teleplay therapy into broader mental health service delivery frameworks, promoting equity and accessibility for all children regardless of location.
This mixed-methods research design integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregiver-reported measures of therapeutic alliance, and therapist self-use scales. These tools provided insight into the child’s emotional and behavioural functioning, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and the therapist’s use of self within the teleplay context. Qualitative data included post-intervention interviews with parents and children to capture personal experiences, as well as therapists’ supervision reflection field notes, which were thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.
Preliminary findings highlight the potential of teleplay therapy to foster meaningful therapeutic engagement and positive outcomes for children and families in rural and remote areas. These insights will inform the development of best practices and contribute to the creation of a teleplay therapy manual, supporting practitioners in delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions across diverse settings.
By directly addressing barriers to therapy through a child-centred, technology-enabled model, this study advances innovative solutions for improving mental health support in underserved regions. It provides valuable evidence for the integration of teleplay therapy into broader mental health service delivery frameworks, promoting equity and accessibility for all children regardless of location.
Biography
I’m a qualified Social Worker and Play Therapist with a Master of Child Play Therapy from Deakin University and a Certification in Synergetic Play Therapy. I have broad experience in child protection and family support, where I developed a strong understanding of trauma and its impact on child development and the nervous system. I'm passionate about using play as a powerful tool to support children’s healing, growth, and emotional regulation. I currently work for Be Centre, a children’s mental health charity in Sydney, and am now venturing into telehealth to expand access to play therapy across rural and remote communities in Australia.
