Child Psychological Therapy
We provide evidence-based psychological therapy that nurtures emotional wellbeing and resilience. Our approach focuses on giving young people a developmentally appropriate and engaging way to express emotions, make sense of their experiences, and build healthy coping skills.
Psychological therapy begins with understanding the child within the context of their development, relationships, family, school environment, strengths and current concerns. Intervention is then tailored to the child’s needs and may include direct work with the child, caregiver consultation, psychoeducation, therapeutic play, skills development and collaboration with other supports where appropriate and consented to.
Progress is reviewed collaboratively, and the focus or format of therapy may be adjusted in response to the child’s development, therapeutic engagement and family priorities.
Integrative Play Therapy
Integrative Play Therapy is a flexible therapeutic approach that draws on a range of evidence‑based methods rather than relying on a single model. This allows each session to be tailored to the child’s unique needs, strengths, and developmental stage. By combining creative play, relationship‑focused work, and proven therapeutic strategies, children are supported to express emotions, build resilience, develop problem‑solving skills, and work through challenges in a way that feels natural and safe for them.
“Toys are children’s words and play is their language.” — Gary L. Landreth
Filial Therapeutic Support
Filial Therapy is a form of integrative play therapy that actively involves caregivers in the therapeutic process. With guidance and support, caregivers learn play‑based skills that strengthen their relationship with their child, enhance communication, and foster emotional growth. By turning playtime into a safe and meaningful space, this approach empowers caregivers to help children express feelings, work through worries, and build confidence. It also equips caregivers with practical tools to better understand and connect with their child, enriching the overall effectiveness of psychological therapy.
“Play has been called the ‘language of childhood,’ and if we can learn (or relearn) this language, we can build a more satisfying relationship with our children.” — Van Fleet, 2012, p.3
Play Development & Building on Play Skills
This approach focuses on directive play therapy and the development of core play skills. By supporting children to build foundational abilities in play, we help nurture imagination, communication, and social confidence. Through a blend of integrative play therapy and guided, child‑led play, young people learn to explore ideas, solve problems, and form relationships in ways that feel natural, engaging, and enjoyable. This method highlights each child’s strengths and encourages curiosity and creativity, while gently expanding their capacity for connection, resilience, and independent play—key elements in effective psychological therapy.
What is play therapy?
First developed in the early 20th century, Play Therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that utilises the natural language of play to assist children in exploring and working through emotional, social, and psychological challenges, thereby promoting child development.
Unlike ordinary play, play therapy is guided by a trained therapist who supports the child in addressing and resolving difficulties while fostering resilience and coping skills. This approach builds on how children naturally learn about themselves, their relationships, and the world around them, contributing to their emotional growth.
Through play therapy, children can communicate more effectively, express emotions safely, manage behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and practice healthy ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from challenges, allowing children to process thoughts and feelings in developmentally appropriate ways. The Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines it as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
By combining child led play with structured therapeutic techniques, play therapy offers an engaging, and evidence based way to support children’s emotional growth and resilience.