Business Details
Trusted Counselling in Stanthorpe
At Family Matters Counselling & Therapy Services, we are dedicated to providing respectful, compassionate, and trauma-informed counselling services tailored to meet the unique needs of children, young people, and adults. Our approach prioritises neurodivergent-friendly practices and safe spaces for the LGBTQI+ community, ensuring every client feels valued and understood. With over 25 years of combined experience, our team specialises in creative therapies, including LEGO therapy, play therapy, and mindfulness-based art activities, designed to foster emotional regulation and social skills. Our Stanthorpe-based practice offers individual, family, and group sessions, alongside online options, to accommodate diverse client needs. We are committed to continuous professional development, evidenced by our qualifications in counselling, neuroscience, and creative arts therapies.Our services are supported by registrations with major health funds and a focus on accessibility through initiatives like our free LEGO Library. We pride ourselves on creating a warm, inclusive environment where clients can explore challenges and grow at their own pace. Our teams expertise extends to addressing complex trauma, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and family dynamics, ensuring comprehensive care. By integrating evidence-based modalities like CBT and ACT with hands-on creative tools, we empower clients to achieve their goals. Our dedication to community is reflected in programs like Creativity Matters, which promotes mental well-being through art and collaborative learning.
Services
Individual Counselling
Family Counselling
Play Therapy
LEGO Therapy
Creative Therapies
Online Sessions
Group Therapy
Mental Health Support
Parenting Guidance
Neurodivergent Support
Highlights and features
- We offer trauma-informed therapies tailored to neurodivergent clients.
- Our team includes a Masters-qualified counsellor with 25+ years of experience.
- We provide free access to our LEGO Library for therapeutic play.
- Our services are inclusive and LGBTQI+ community-friendly.
- We integrate neuroscience research with creative therapies for holistic care.
Services
Individual Counselling
Personalised counselling sessions address emotional, mental health, and relationship challenges. Our person-centred approach tailors strategies to individual needs, using evidence-based techniques like CBT and ACT. Sessions occur in a quiet, supportive environment, fostering growth and healing for adults and adolescents.
Play Therapy
Specialised play therapy helps children process emotions and develop social skills through self-directed play. Tools like toys, sand trays, and role-play engage younger clients, enabling non-verbal expression. Proven effective for anxiety, trauma, and behavioural challenges in children up to middle primary school age.
LEGO Therapy
LEGO-based sessions enhance communication, teamwork, and spatial awareness through structured challenges. Clients use LEGO to model social scenarios, building skills in a fun, engaging way. Includes access to our free LEGO Library for ongoing therapeutic play outside sessions.
Creative Therapies
Creativity Matters offers art, painting, and craft activities to promote mental well-being. Sessions use watercolour, mixed media, and neurographic art to teach mindfulness and emotional regulation. Available for individuals and groups, focusing on relaxation and skill-building through creative expression.
Online Sessions
Secure online therapy provides flexible access to counselling and creative therapies. Ideal for remote clients or those preferring home-based sessions. Maintains the same trauma-informed, neurodivergent-friendly approach as in-person visits, ensuring continuity of care.
People
Darryl Peters
Counsellor and Neuroplasticity Therapist
With over 25 years of experience, Darryl holds qualifications in counselling and science. He specialises in neurodivergent support and trauma-informed therapy, blending counselling with creative tools like LEGO and Warhammer miniatures to engage clients effectively.
Susan Peters
Practice Manager and Support Worker
Founder of Creativity Matters, Susan combines art therapy with counselling expertise. An award-winning artist, she designs programs promoting mental health through mindful creativity, supporting carers and neurodivergent clients with a compassionate, hands-on approach.
Katherine Ranson
Reception
Katherine manages front-desk operations with calm efficiency, drawing on her administrative and childcare experience. She ensures smooth client interactions, creating a welcoming first impression for the practice while balancing her love for romantic movies and pet care.
Steph Donges
Reception
Steph brings medical reception experience and a health administration background to her role. A St Kilda supporter and Swiftie, she balances administrative duties with family life, contributing fresh perspectives to the teams organisational processes.
Bre West
Creativity Matters Team
A professional tattoo artist turned counselling student, Bre merges creativity with therapeutic practice. She leads craft sessions and will transition to therapy assistant roles in 2026, bringing a unique artistic lens to client support.
Questions
What age groups do you work with?
We support children from middle primary school age through adults, with therapies tailored to developmental stages and individual needs.
Are your services covered by health funds?
We recommend checking with your provider, as many major health funds cover our counselling services under appropriate categories.
Do you offer telehealth options?
Yes, we provide secure online therapy sessions for clients who prefer remote access to our trauma-informed counselling services.
What is Creativity Matters?
Creativity Matters is our art-based program using painting, crafts, and mindfulness to promote mental health through Susan’s artistic expertise.
Is your practice LGBTQI+ friendly?
Yes, we provide safe, inclusive spaces for all clients, ensuring our therapies respect diverse identities and experiences.