About Us

The children’s program addresses the special needs of trauma/refugee children by working within a holistic client-centered collaborative model. The primary focus is on healing by involving children, parents/guardians and teachers in the process. The underlying principles of practice are:

• holism, empowerment
• inclusion and equity

Depending on the child’s needs the choice of therapy can include: direct communication, art, painting, sand-play, clay work, play therapy, dance and movement and story telling. We liaise on behalf of children by providing information to parents and teachers and facilitate school settlement. In addition, we provide training for teachers to raise awareness.

Our therapeutic interventions are focused on working together with children to:

• express concerns
• face fears/unresolved issues
• learn different strategies
• build self-esteem/increase confidence
• develop interpersonal and social skills

If language is a barrier interpreters can be arranged. Anyone can refer a child to us, however, we recommend that you seek the child’s parents/guardians’ permission first. For more information, please do not hesitate to call us on 3391 6677.

QPASTT provides the following Information for Parents

Download the QPASTT children's program brochure here.

Read about what to do prior to making a referral for children's counselling here.  ^Back to Top

When might a referral for counselling be indicated?

It can be difficult to know when a referral for counselling is warranted. Certainly, for some children and their families the refugee and settlement experiences may be associated with the development of psychological (emotional) problems.  The following behavioural or emotional responses that are pervasive and persistent over time could suggest the need for a referral for specialist counselling:

· Extreme aggression/ persistent anger

· Out of control behaviour

· Crying a lot

· Severe social withdrawal/ apathy

· Poor school attendance

· Fear and anxiety

· Frequent illness related to stress

· Sleep problems

· 4-12 years old (primary school)

· Refugee torture/ trauma background

No acute crisis referrals will be accepted.  QPASTT is not a crisis service.  Other services such as Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance, Department of Child Safety, Hospitals and GP’s should be referred to in the event of a crisis or emergency.

Please Note: QPASTT will not accept any referrals where the parents/guardians have not been consulted and where their consent and agreement for the referral has not been gained.  Referrers must indicate the parent’s/guardian’s consent on the referral form.

How to refer

To make a referral to QPASTT fill out the referral form in all sections and in as much detail as possible and forward to QPASTT by fax or post.  Referral forms are available to download from under ‘How to refer’ page. Alternatively, you can phone QPASTT on 3391 6677 and ask to speak with the on-duty counsellor.

Most refugee children will have experienced or witnessed events such as war; removal of physical and emotional safety; destruction of their homes; death, separation or disappearance of friends or family members; physical injury and lack of medical attention; deprivation of essential resources such as food and water; forced conscription; rape or sexual assault and arrest, detention or torture; deprivation of education and opportunity to play.

As well as these experiences the demands of settlement present additional stresses and pressures.  On arrival in Australia children may experience changes in their family and family relationships.  They are required to learn a new language, adapt to a new set of cultural norms, and orient themselves to a new and unfamiliar school system.  Adapting to school may be particularly difficult for those children who have had no or limited prior school experience.

Low to mild levels of anxiety, grief and/or anger can be expected as normal responses to such significant demands.  In relation to schooling these responses can compromise to varying degrees the conditions required for healthy progress and the capacity to learn.  

This will be particularly salient in the earlier stages of settlement.  The length of time that a child may take to adjust sufficiently will vary.  There are ways that the school environment can support and assist children in the initial settlement period as they attempt to adjust to school routines, expectations and peers. However, where feelings of anxiety, grief or anger are severe and interfere with everyday functioning over an extended duration a referral for counselling might be indicated.