How We Help Children and Young People...

The Wishing Well takes referrals for any child/young person in out-of-home care in NSW.  Applications are assessed by qualified personnel and on a case-by-case basis.  The decision to fund an application is affected by the following:

• Funding availability
• The support the child/young person has to access the proposed therapies
• The capacity and willingness of the Carer Household to support the child/young person
• Assessment, which recommends and supports the proposed therapy as relevant to meeting the particular needs of the child/young person

Therapies include, but are not limited to the following:  

Art Therapy

Art therapy is the process of engaging creatively in drama, movement or art making within a therapeutic relationship. Through art therapy, which provides a unique opportunity for the use of non-verbal communication, thereby allowing the safe expression of feelings, the child/young person is supported to process traumatic experiences and to resolve inner conflicts. This enables improved coping skills and judgment, a more integrated sense of self, increased self-awareness and acceptance, improved personal growth and insight and an increased ability to form healthier relationships.

For more information see www.anzacata.org/About-ANZACATA

Play Therapy

Play therapy helps children and young people work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioural difficulties by allowing them to feel safe and develop trust with the therapist who follows their lead and enters their world.  Through play with carefully selected toys and materials the child is encouraged by the therapist to express feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviours. 

For more information see www.playtherapyaustralia.com

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is an example of a patterned, repetitive somatosensory activity that has been shown to lead to positive improvements for children who have suffered trauma, abuse and/or neglect.

For more information go to www.naturaltherapypages.com.au

Music Therapy

Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and wellbeing. Music therapy may address the physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive and social needs of children/young people who have suffered trauma and abuse within a therapeutic relationship and focuses on meeting therapeutic aims. 

For more information see www.austmta.org.au

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

EAP is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional, working with a child or young person to address treatment goals. EAP is considered short-term therapy due to its intensity and effectiveness. The child or young person is able to process and discuss feelings, behaviours and patterns by participating in grounded activities with horses. EAP has been found to address a variety of issues relevant to children and young people who have suffered trauma, including behavioural problems, attention deficit disorder (ADD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication difficulties.

For more information see http://www.eagala.org

Educational Support, Tutoring and Remedial Work

Support offered to a child/young person who, due to a history of abuse and trauma, has fallen behind in their schooling.

For more information go to www.ata.edu.au

Heal For Life Camps

Located in the Hunter Valley, Heal For Life Camps offer children/young people who have been affected by abuse and trauma, a weeklong residential camp during which trained counselors work with the child or young person to address personal issues and develop skills to work through and address those issues.  Located on 120 acres of beautiful bushland, children/young people are given the opportunity to spend time in a community with other children of a similar age who have shared similar experiences. 

For more information see www.healforlife.com.au

Counselling

Counselling sessions are provided with trained Counsellors to help children/young persons recognise the problems associated with abuse and trauma; to help analyse the issues they face in their lives and ultimately, assist them to handle those issues in a constructive and healthy manner.

Nutrition Guidance

Health and nutrition guidance is used in conjunction with other therapies to help guide the individual to maximise nutritional well-being, thus optimising their overall health and wellbeing. Helping the body recover from malnutrition is a significant step towards helping the child build his/her immune system and fight the effects of abuse and trauma. This could include stress, depression, fatigue, low self-esteem, problems with body image and so forth.

For more information go to www.aihw.gov.au