Compassionate Therapist for all

Monique Potgieter is a registered social worker specializing in play therapy. She provides compassionate care to help people of all ages to overcome challenges in their daily living.

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About Monique Potgieter

Monique is the founder of Play Therapy Centre and has lived in Tauranga with her family since 2019. She is originally from South Africa but considers New Zealand her home. Monique has experience in statutory social work where she supported children in foster care and provided support and trauma-informed training to foster parents. Monique worked in Mental health services addressing mild to severe mental health difficulties in children. She is a registered Social Worker (NZ Social Work Registration Board) and is a member of ANZASW, an Associate member of STANZA, and an International member of the Association for Play Therapy (US). Monique is a proud member of Bay of Plenty Therapy Foundation and is an ACC contracted provider. 

Qualifications

In her free time, she keeps herself busy with post-graduate studies and Aerial (Hoop) dancing where she performs and teach adults and youth classes.

Bachelors in Social Work Degree (University of Pretoria)

Masters in Social Work Degree - Play-Based Intervention (University of Pretoria)

Graduate Diploma in Arts - Psychology (Massey University)

Areas of Work

If your concern is not listed here, please enquire. This is not an extensive list as each case is unique.

Grief and loss
Adapting to migration
Trauma
Anxiety
Mood difficulties
Self-esteem
Bullying
Social Impairment
Behavioural difficulties
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Selective Mutism
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Supporting mental health due to chronic health conditions.

Therapy Options

Play Therapy
  • Child-centered and Gestalt Approach
  • Effective for various issues
  • Enhance emotional intelligence
  • Evidence-based results
  • Preferred option for ages 2-12 years
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Family Support
  • ​Involving families in a child’s therapy process
  • Holistic approach
  • Parent support sessions
  • Parent education sessions
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Counselling
  • Unique​ ​s​t​r​e​n​g​t​h​s​ ​a​n​d​ ​approaches​ ​t​o​ t​h​e​r​a​p​y​
  • P​r​o​vi​di​n​g​ individuals with​ ​v​a​l​u​a​b​l​e ​tools and perspectives to address
challenges
  • ​Versatile​ ​and​ widely​ ​u​s​e​d ​therapeutic approach
  • For adolescents and adults
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Skills Development Sessions
  • Safe environment for neurodiverse children
  • Increased confidence
  • T​ai​l​o​r​e​d​ one-on-one s​u​pp​o​r​t
  • E​n​h​a​n​ci​n​g​ ​s​o​ci​a​l​ ​navigation​, ​communication​,​ self-esteem and interpersonal 
relationships
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FAQs

Find answers to common questions about play therapy, what to expect, and how to prepare children for their session.

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What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy for children and adolescents, using play as a medium for communication. A trained therapist creates a safe environment where children express their thoughts and emotions through activities like drawing, storytelling, and role-playing. This helps them explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and improve emotional and social skills.

What are the Benefits of Play therapy?

Play therapy helps children express emotions, enhance communication skills, and develop problem-solving abilities. It improves emotional regulation, boosts self-esteem, and fosters healthy relationships. The therapy also aids in trauma processing, behavioral improvements, and cognitive development, accommodating diverse cultural backgrounds.

How long is a session?

​Therapy sessions are 45-60 minutes long. T​h​e​ ​​d​u​r​a​t​i​o​n​ ​o​f​ ​the ​t​h​e​r​a​p​y​ ​s​e​s​s​i​o​n​​ ​i​s​ ​
t​a​i​l​o​r​e​d​ ​t​o​ ​a​c​c​o​m​m​o​d​a​t​e​ ​client's ​d​e​v​e​l​o​p​m​e​n​t​a​l​ ​n​e​e​d​s​,​ ​a​t​t​e​n​t​i​o​n​ ​s​p​a​n​,​ ​a​n​d​ ​
e​m​o​t​i​o​n​a​l​ ​r​e​g​u​l​a​t​i​o​n​ ​a​b​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​,​ ​e​n​s​u​r​i​n​g​ ​t​h​a​t​ ​t​h​e​r​a​p​y​ ​r​e​m​a​i​n​s​ ​e​f​f​e​c​t​i​v​e​,​ ​e​n​g​a​g​i​n​g​,​ ​
a​n​d​ ​b​e​n​e​f​i​c​i​a​l​ ​f​o​r​ ​t​h​e​ client'​s​ ​w​e​l​l​-​b​e​i​n​g​ ​a​n​d​ ​g​r​o​w​t​h​.

Is play therapy effective?

Yes, play therapy is effective for addressing emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. It offers a child-centered, non-verbal way for children to communicate and process experiences, build problem-solving skills, and develop a supportive therapeutic relationship.

How to prepare?

Explain play therapy in simple terms and reassure the child that it’s a safe, fun place to express themselves. Discuss what to expect during sessions, encourage questions, and normalize the process to reduce any fear or stigma. No specific preparation is needed for each session, but sometimes homework may be given. A social story can be provided upon request.