Our Services
At Let’s Play Therapy, we offer two main ways of supporting children:
Child-Centered Play Therapy (non-directive)
Children’s Counselling (more directive, semi-structured, play-informed)
Some children benefit most from the freedom of play therapy, while others need more structured guidance. Many children will move between both at different times. Our role is to tailor the approach to your child’s unique needs, so they always feel safe, supported, and understood.
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Play therapy works by tapping into a child’s natural ability to express themselves through play. In a warm, nurturing environment, children symbolically act out their emotions and experiences — building a scene with toys, creating art, or engaging in imaginative role-play, depending on what feels right for them.
This expression often emerges naturally, allowing children to release internalised emotions and experience a greater sense of calm and clarity. Through our Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) approach, the child leads the session while the therapist provides unconditional acceptance and support. This non-directive method empowers children to explore at their own pace, helping them feel safe and in control.
As they play, children can revisit difficult emotions in a healthy way, practice new coping skills, and build confidence in their ability to handle challenges.
Play therapy helps children to:
Express and process difficult emotions
Build confidence and resilience
Develop healthier ways to cope with stress
Improve relationships and social skills
By meeting children at their developmental level, play therapy supports immediate emotional needs while also providing tools for lifelong wellbeing.
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While play therapy gives children freedom to explore at their own pace, some situations call for a little more guidance. Children’s counselling is a child-focused, semi-structured approach that still keeps sessions playful and child-friendly. The therapist gently guides activities while responding to the child’s interests and needs, ensuring they feel safe and empowered in their therapeutic growth.
Approaches may include:
Cognitive-Behavioural Play Therapy (CBPT): learning coping skills through stories, games, and role play.
Solution-Focused Counselling: setting goals and celebrating small steps forward.
Narrative Therapy: helping children re-author their stories and externalise problems (e.g., “the worry monster”).
Social & Emotional Skills Work: building confidence, empathy, friendships, and problem-solving abilities.
This more directive style can be especially helpful when children need practical tools, support with social relationships, or extra guidance to manage anxiety and big emotions.
Which approach is right for my child?
Together, we’ll discuss your child’s needs, age, and goals during the initial parent consultation. From there, we’ll recommend an approach that best supports your child.
Some children may begin with play therapy to build safety and expression, then move into counselling once they’re ready for more structure. Others may need counselling tools right away to help with anxiety, behaviour, or social skills. Often, children will move between both approaches over time.
The most important thing is that every child receives support that feels safe, engaging, and effective for them.