Past Events - Play Therapy in Timor-Leste

On the 22 Aug 19,  Heather from InnerChildWellenss along with Josephine Martin from Play Therapy Northern Territory (PTNT) presented an introduction to Child Centred Play Therapy workshop and information session. An invitation went out wide and far to Timorese professionals working in fields of Early Childhood Education, Social workers, Allied Health and Mental Health Services. 

 The program has grown with support from TAF, CasaVida and Rotary. The second  and follow up intensive program saw the children reunite with their therapist. The families, support workers and teachers could all see the visible difference the previous intensive had on the children. A two day workshop was also presented to the professional team on supporting challenging behaviour in children and what the behaviour might be communicating including warning signs for sexual abuse. 

The use of therapeutic translators to facilitate the interactions between therapists and children has resulted in whole community healing and growth through participants supporting each other and reaching out to reconnect the disconnected. Rather than therapists acting as the source of knowledge and expertise, all participants in the program including the therapists and therapeutic translators shared together in learning and developing a positive path forward for this Timorese community. This shared learning was critical to the success of the program and sees shared knowledge being shared through this international community healing. 

COVID-19 and the floods in Dili in 2020 caused significant pain and suffering for so many in Timor-Leste. While the important work of staying safe, socially distancing amidst the rebuilding took place, the learning and connection did not end. Rather, preparation for future work continued to ensure that, once it was safe, we could return to where we left. As an international support we will  return when we can be reassured that our presences causes no harm with the spread of COVID. 

Following the introductory session on Play Therapy, the first intensive Play Therapy sessions commenced.   

We had 5 qualified  (English-speaking) therapists under the supervision of Josephine Martin from PTNT, working with a group of children who had been identified as requiring therapy due to their challenging circumstances.  The success of the program required an ability to deliver the program in the local language. To make this possible, therapeutic translators were employed to provide translation of language between children and therapists within the therapy context. This created a unique and rewarding    

The success of the Play Therapy sessions identified the need for a dedicated play therapy space. A suitable location was identified and with the support many families the centre was prepared and ready to open in March 2020. Unfortunately, shortly after the centre was ready, COVID-19 prevented the centre from officially opening. Instead it remained an ongoing community support thanks to the dedication of some incredible women, until it closed in early 2021.

- Practical support for families in Darwin, NT
- Shared learning through professional network and connection of therapists.
- Continued shared learning experiences for therapists through international exchange.
- Support and advocacy for the survivors of Topu Honis