birds fly, fish swim, children play
-Gary Landreth
Individual Play Therapy
Play is how children make sense of their world. It can also be a way for them to work through what they have experienced.
Humanistic Play Therapy is a child-centred, non-directive approach that supports your child's emotional, social and psychological wellbeing.
Your child leads the way. They choose what to play with, how they want to express themselves, and how quickly or slowly they want things to unfold. Through play, children can communicate feelings, experiences and worries that can be difficult to put into words.
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I work with children aged 3 to 13 who are experiencing difficulties including:
Trauma
Grief and loss
Anxiety or low mood
ADHD
Social difficulties
Low self-esteem
Fears and phobias
Difficulties with emotional regulation
Toileting challenges
And more
Play Therapy can be particularly helpful when your child doesn't have the words — or doesn't want to use them — to talk about what is going on.
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Sessions take place in a private, welcoming space where your child can play freely and express themselves in ways that feel natural to them.
There are opportunities for imaginative and sensory play, art and craft, sand play, games, dressing up, dolls, teddies and puppets.
Your child leads, and I follow. My role is to be fully present with them — creating a space where they feel safe, seen and accepted, including all the big feelings that come with being a child.
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I won't tell your child what to play or what their play means. Instead, I follow their lead and pay close attention to what they are communicating.
Over time, the relationship we build can give your child a place to explore their experiences, try things out, express themselves and develop a greater sense of safety and confidence.
Your child doesn't have to find the words. We can meet them through play.
Filial Play Therapy
Filial Play Therapy brings you and your child together through play.
Rather than working with your child on their own, I work alongside you, helping you develop therapeutic play skills that you can use during special, intentional play sessions with your child.
You know your child better than anyone. We build on the relationship you already have, helping you understand your child's emotional world and create more opportunities for connection, trust and play.
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Filial Play Therapy is suitable for parents and carers of children up to 12 years old.
It can be helpful when your child is experiencing difficulties with emotions, behaviour, confidence or relationships, or when you want to strengthen the connection between you.
It can support your child to express their feelings, build confidence and trust, while helping you feel more confident in understanding and responding to their needs.
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Filial Play Therapy is a structured process that we work through together.
We begin by getting to know you and your family, including observing how you and your child play and relate to each other.
I'll then teach you therapeutic play skills to use during your special playtime. You'll practise these skills with your child while I provide support, observation and gentle feedback.
As you become more confident, we'll explore how you can bring these skills into everyday family life and continue building connection beyond our sessions.
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The relationship between you and your child is at the heart of this work.
Rather than taking your child away from you, Filial Play Therapy gives you an opportunity to become more confident in supporting them through play, connection and understanding.
There is no expectation that you need to be a perfect parent or get everything right. We work with what is already there — your relationship, your knowledge of your child and your strengths as a parent or carer.
Sometimes, finding your way back to each other starts with simply having time to play.