Nerida Oberg

Play Therapist

ABOUT

Nerida’s journey began 35 years ago with the purchase of a long day care preschool kindergarten, so I could take my 2 small children, aged 3 years and 6 months, to work with me.  My interest in child development soon flourished into family therapy and child-focused play therapy as I observed a lot of the ‘issues’ with child behaviour and development were directly affected by emotional and psychological issues present in the family.  

VALUES AND APPROACH

Nerida initially studied 16 different modalities of therapy and then went on to teach 12 therapeutic modalities at leading tertiary colleges in Sydney for well over a decade 15 years ago.  Whilst predominantly referring to herself as an Existential Psychotherapist, meaning “acceptance of the unknown and learning to be comfortable in the uncomfortable” Nerida’s approach is diverse where she can match the needs of the clients.  Clients can expect a genuine and real connection to who I am as a person which is very much who I am as an integrated Therapist, there is no separation. 

‘Play’ is a natural occurrence for children. ‘Play Therapy’ provides a safe place where children are supported and guided towards revealing and healing their inner emotional world. With the use of therapeutic miniatures, sand tray work, clay and art therapy, children engage in the process of relearning and emotional release, towards the mastery over feelings that would otherwise overwhelm them. Play Therapy often provides a safer pathway for the expression of the inner emotional world than words or conversations.

SPECIAL INTEREST

As a Play Therapist my interests are in creating a safe place for children to freely express their inner world.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Nerida is a Registered Psychotherapist and Specialist Counsellor for Child Focused Play Therapy, Bereavement Care (grief and loss) and Couples and Family Therapy. She is a published Author “Voices of the Children 2012” – a book that demystified Play Therapy for parents, carers, teachers and all guardians for children. Nerida has over 3 decades of diverse experience, she studied 16 different modalities of therapy and taught 12 modules at 2 leading tertiary colleges in Sydney for over a decade. She spent over a decade working in Aboriginal communities on the far south coast of NSW being mentored by Aboriginal Elders to work with Aboriginal children and families. Nerida’s passion is her service to others, for healing, growth and behavioural change where needed.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?

“Whatever you resist persists”