what is play therapy?

When adults struggle with emotional or mental health challenges, they turn to a counsellor or therapist for support. For children, the play therapist is their counsellor. They express themselves most naturally through play, because their ability to explain thoughts and feelings and make sense of experiences in a grown-up way is not yet fully developed. 

Play Therapy gives children a developmentally appropriate way to express feelings and make sense of what is happening in their world. Younger children communicate more freely through play than through words, and the playroom offers a space where their inner experiences can unfold at their own pace.

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is one of the most established non-directive models, rooted in person-centred principles. In this approach, the child leads the play and chooses the themes that are important to them. Children may use play to process worries, frustration, anger or sadness, and to explore relationships, practise new skills or try out different roles. Over time they gain emotional clarity and confidence, and parents begin to notice positive shifts in behaviour and communication.

Alongside Play Therapy, this practice offers play-based and creative approaches that support both teenagers and parents. For teenagers, the work includes playful and creative interventions, providing a safe way to explore thoughts and feelings when talking alone doesn’t feel enough. For parents and caregivers, Filial Therapy focuses on strengthening the parent–child relationship through simple, structured play sessions at home.