How Play Therapy Helps
Play therapy gives children a safe, natural language to explore, process, and overcome big challenges. Every child responds differently, but play therapy is particularly effective in supporting:
💙 Emotional & Anxiety Support
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Big, overwhelming feelings (frequent meltdowns, intense anger, or frustration)
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Anxiety, worries & fears (separation anxiety, school refusal, panic)
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Low mood & withdrawal (sadness, quietness, or loss of interest in favorite activities)
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Low self-esteem (lack of confidence, negative self-talk, perfectionism)
🏡 Life Changes & Family Transitions
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Family shifts (parental separation, divorce, or blending families)
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Bereavement & loss (grieving a loved one, pet, or major life change)
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Moving & transitions (starting a new school, moving home, welcoming a sibling)
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Illness or medical trauma (navigating chronic illness or hospital stays)
🏫 Social & Behavioural Growth
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Friendship & social struggles (difficulty making friends, sharing, or peer conflict)
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School stress (classroom anxiety, academic pressure, or difficulty fitting in)
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Impulsivity & regulation (trouble self-soothing or staying focused)
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Attachment & trust (building secure connections with caregivers)
My Approach
As a registered Play Therapist (PTUK), I use a child-centered approach. Your child is at the heart of everything we do, and every step is taken at their own pace so they feel safe and supported.
Instead of a "one-size-fits-all" model, I tailor sessions using a flexible blend of:
🎨 Creative arts & storytelling to express complex feelings
🏰 Sandplay & symbolic miniatures for gentle, non-verbal processing
🌿 Trauma-informed & nervous system support (informed by advanced training with Beacon House) to prioritize felt safety and regulation
🤲 Therapeutic clay & movement for tactile self-soothing and emotional release
🎭 Child-led play & roleplay allowing them to explore relationships freely
🧭 Guided activities when they need a little extra structure
This adaptable approach ensures your child feels deeply understood as they heal and grow.
A Peek Inside My Playroom
Every child communicates differently, which is why my space is filled with a rich variety of creative and therapeutic tools. The playroom is carefully prepared to offer children a range of ways to express, explore and communicate. From sand and symbols to creative arts, puppets, role play, music, and sensory experiences, each resource offers different opportunities for children to communicate in their own way.
Here are just a few key elements from my play therapy toolkit—each thoughtfully chosen to help your child explore, express, and heal at their own pace.
Sandtray & Symbols
Sand offers a rich, tactile space where children can build physical worlds for complex feelings, memories, and inner experiences that don't have words yet. By placing figures and shaping the sand, kids bring their inner stories to life, gaining perspective and processing big emotions safely at their own pace.
Dollhouse & Role play
Children naturally process their world through pretend play. Stepping into a dollhouse or role-playing scenario gives kids a comfortable distance to safely work through family dynamics, friendship hiccups, and big everyday moments—helping them build empathy, gain perspective, and practice real-life skills.
Creative Arts & Making
Big emotions don't always fit into neat sentences. Art allows children to externalize what’s happening inside them—transforming worries, sadness, or excitement into something they can see, touch, and safely work through at their own pace.
Therapeutic Clay & Tactile
Clay gives kids a hands-on, grounding way to express what words sometimes can't. Whether they need to pound out big frustrations, gently mold a new creation, or reshape something entirely, clay offers an immediate physical outlet that helps children self-soothe and feel in control.
Movement & Expressive Dance
Children experience the world through their bodies. Using dance, movement, and playful props like flowing silk fans or ribbons gives kids a joyful, physical way to release trapped energy, explore boundaries, and express big feelings when staying still feels impossible. It’s all about helping them feel rooted, free, and connected in their own skin.
Puppets & Characters
Puppets give children a playful, safe shield to talk about tricky feelings or events that might feel too scary to speak directly. By talking through a character, kids can express secrets, explore fears, and try out new ways of communicating without feeling like the spotlight is directly on them.
Stories
Stories offer a gentle mirror for a child's own experience. Reading about characters facing similar challenges—whether it's anxiety, big changes, or making friends—helps children realize they aren't alone. Therapeutic stories spark meaningful conversations and give kids practical, imaginative frameworks to navigate their own world.
Music & Sound
Music taps into emotions in a way words simply can't. Whether a child is beating out a fast rhythm on a drum to release energy or listening to gentle tones to find calm, sound offers a powerful, intuitive outlet. It helps kids express their internal rhythm, regulate their nervous system, and find their own unique voice.
Your Journey At A Glance
1
Inital Discovery Call
A free, 15 minute informal phone chat to discuss your child's needs and answer any questions.
2
Parent and Referrer Consultation
We meet without your child to discuss history, goals, and complete background assessments.
3
Weekly Play Therapy Sessions
Consistent 40-minute sessions in a safe, creative studio environment.
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Regular Reviews and Ending
We check in regularly to evaluate progress and plan a gentle, celebrated ending block.
How it works
At The Symbols Studio, I partner with families, schools, and local organizations across South East London to deliver individual play therapy and therapeutic play sessions tailored to children's emotional needs.
Parent & Teacher Consultations
Initial Consultation
Before sessions with your child begin, I meet with parents (and, with your permission, teachers or referrers) to discuss your child's history, strengths, and goals. This ensures a holistic, collaborative approach from day one.
Ongoing Reviews & Support
Throughout your child's therapy, we will hold regular review meetings to track progress and share creative techniques you can use at home and in the classroom to support their emotional growth.
Individual Play Therapy
Minimum of 16 sessions
I offer 1-on-1 play therapy sessions tailored specifically to your child’s emotional needs and personality.
Using an integrative, holistic approach, I combine child-led play with gentle therapist guidance:
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Child-Led Freedom: Your child takes the lead in choosing tools and activities, giving them autonomy and complete safety over their therapeutic journey.
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Gentle Direction & Reflection: When helpful, I introduce specific creative activities, gentle reflections, or prompts to help them process feelings and deepen their healing.
This flexible balance ensures your child feels in control while receiving the gentle structure they need to grow, self-soothe, and build resilience.
Sessions are held weekly and planned over a agreed timeframe based on your child's needs.
Flexible Locations: In-School & Mobile Therapy
To make therapy as seamless and supportive as possible, I offer mobile play therapy services across South East London.
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In-School Sessions: I travel directly to your child's nursery or school to deliver sessions in a quiet, dedicated space during the school day. This minimizes disruption to their routine and saves parents travel time.
Areas covered include Greenwich, Thamesmead, Abbeywood, Plumstead, Woolwich, Eltham, Welling, Bexleyheath, Sidcup and surrounding South East London communities.
Group Play Therapy
Small Groups (Up to 4 Children)
6-10 sessions
Group play therapy offers a safe, supportive space for children who share similar social or emotional goals—such as building confidence, navigating friendships, or practicing self-regulation.
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Guided Teamwork & Connection: I introduce a creative, purposeful activity to bring the group together, then step back to let the children collaborate. This hands-on teamwork allows peers to learn from one another, practice social skills, and build confidence through shared experience.
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Focused Blocks & Progress Reviews: Group sessions are run in structured blocks. At the end of the block, we hold a final review to celebrate your child's growth.
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Ongoing Guidance: If your child needs continued support after the group block finishes, I will work with you to outline the best next steps or recommend suitable ongoing options.
Fees Breakdown
Free 15 minute consultation
Initial 15 minute phonecall to discuss whether this work is a right fit for your child and you as a family.
Assessments
~£225
Invoiced at commencement.
Includes your initial parent consultation with me, comprehensive intake review, and baseline clinical assessment to prepare your child’s studio space. This fee covers meeting with the childs parent/parents, and teacher to gain a holistic view of the child prior to our work beginning.
Individual sessions
~£65 per session
Can be invoiced at £260 / month over 4 months. £1040 for 16 sessions in a block.
16 consistent, 40-minute weekly studio sessions with me where your child engages in therapeutic play, plus ongoing regular parent check-ins to monitor progress.
Final Report and Discharge
~£80
Includes your final parent review, discharge summary, and a tailored end-of-therapy report with ongoing recommendations for home and school.