No referral is required. Parents and caregivers are welcome to self-refer to play therapy.

Play therapy can support children and families experiencing a wide range of social and emotional concerns, including:

• Anxiety, worries, or big emotions

• Behavioural challenges or emotional shutdown

• Trauma responses

• Medical fear or medical trauma

• Neurodivergence, including ADHD, autism, OCD and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy)

• Family changes such as separation, divorce, or changes in caregiving arrangements

• Experiences of identity, belonging or self-expression

• Kinship care, foster care, or other transitions

• Death or loss of a loved one

• Social and emotional difficulties

• Low self-esteem, confidence, or mood concerns

I primarily work with children aged 3–12 years. This age range is flexible and considered on an individual basis, depending on the child’s developmental needs, emotional presentation, and circumstances.

Play therapy sessions are mostly individual sessions with the child, while parents or caregivers wait in the waiting area.

The first session is a caregivers-only session, allowing time to gather background information, discuss concerns, and understand the child’s needs. Ongoing caregiver-only sessions are typically offered approximately every six sessions, with additional caregiver support sessions available if needed.

Each session runs for one hour, with approximately 45 minutes of face-to-face play therapy with the child. The remaining time is used for therapeutic reflection, documentation, and preparing the play space.

Weekly sessions are generally recommended, particularly at the beginning of therapy, to support the development of a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. For some children, moving to fortnightly sessions may be appropriate once they are settled and engaged.

Play therapy is not a quick fix. It is a therapeutic process that unfolds over time as trust and emotional safety are built.

Caregivers should expect the play therapy journey to involve a minimum of around 15 sessions, with the length of therapy varying depending on the child’s needs, goals, and experiences.

Yes. Play therapy is a well-established, evidence-based therapeutic approach used internationally to support children’s emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing.

Children do not always have the words to express complex thoughts and feelings. Play therapy recognises that play is a child’s natural language, allowing children to express emotions, process experiences, and make sense of their world in a developmentally appropriate way.

When delivered consistently within a trusting therapeutic relationship, play therapy can lead to meaningful and lasting change.

Please reach out if you would like links to the research.

The first session is a caregivers-only session. This session focuses on understanding the child’s background, current concerns, and goals for therapy, and provides an opportunity for caregivers to ask questions before play therapy sessions with the child begin.

Confidentiality is an essential part of creating a safe and trusting therapeutic environment for children.

Specific details of a child’s play are not shared. Instead, caregivers receive general themes, observations, and progress updates, and caregiver sessions are used to explore ways to support the child’s emotional wellbeing at home.

There are limits to confidentiality. If there are concerns about a child’s safety or the safety of others, information will be shared in line with legal and ethical obligations.

Parents and caregivers can make an enquiry using the contact form on the website. Once an enquiry is received, I will be in touch to discuss the child’s needs, answer any questions, and explore whether play therapy is the right fit for your family at this time.