A safe space to explore feelings and build resilience through play.
Acccredited by the British Association of Play Therapists.
Location.
Based in Hackney, East London, and providing services to families and schools in Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets.
A Gentle, Child-Centred Approach.
Play is the natural language of childhood, providing a safe bridge between a child's inner world and their external reality.
Play therapy provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can express their thoughts and feelings through their most natural medium: play. By using carefully selected toys and creative materials, children communicate what they cannot yet put into words, allowing for deep emotional processing and growth. A play therapist is trained to recognise and validate a child’s emotional experiences, helping them feel understood and supported when feelings may seem overwhelming to manage alone. Within a warm, empathic and non-judgemental relationship, the child is offered a safe space to express themselves through play. Through this process, children can explore and make sense of their inner world — their feelings, memories and wishes — work through past experiences, and begin to imagine new possibilities for the future.
This non-directive approach respects the child's unique pace and inner wisdom. Rather than focusing on 'fixing' symptoms, we support children to express themselves as whole individuals to be seen, understood and accepted. Through this therapeutic relationship, children often come to accept the parts of themselves that once felt confusing or out of control. As they discover their unique strengths and inner resources, children can build resilience, through developing increased emotional self-regulation and a more positive self-image.
Meaningful and lasting therapeutic change often requires attention not only to the child, but also to the systems that support them. I work collaboratively with families and schools to ensure the child’s emotional wellbeing is supported both at home and at school.
Who is it for?
Play therapy is a safe, evidence-based and effective intervention for many of the emotional and relational difficulties children aged 3–12 may experience. It can support children who are experiencing:
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Anxiety or persistent worries
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Big emotional reactions or emotional shutdown
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Low self-esteem or confidence
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Friendship or social difficulties
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Family changes such as separation, loss or illness
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School-related stress, pressure or transitions
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Emotional and relational challenges linked to being neurodivergent
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Experiences of adoption or fostering (Access to the Adoption Support Fund)
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Acute trauma — a single, overwhelming or frightening event
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Complex trauma — repeated experiences of abuse or neglect that may have impacted a child’s development
The Language of Play
Emotional Expression: Play allows children to communicate experiences and emotions for which they may not yet have the words.
Creative Processing: Through symbols and metaphors in the playroom, children safely re-enact and resolve internal conflicts.
Building Resilience: Weekly sessions foster self-esteem, confidence, and the development of healthy coping strategies.
Let’s Begin Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Journey.
Parents and carers often contact me feeling worried, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. I offer a warm, non-judgemental space where we can work together to understand your child’s needs and support them towards greater emotional safety and wellbeing.
Parent of 8-year-old
“I cannot thank you enough … You have got such a clear measure of [my child] and have put forward such brilliant suggestions on how the adults who work with him can best support him.”
SENCO, primary school
“Lalage has been an amazing addition to the school and I would have no hesitation in recommending her."
Clinical Lead, NHS bereavement service
"Parents’ delight and admiration for Lalage was expressed as they felt that their children thrived and matured during the intervention they had with her. They saw positive changes to their child's self-esteem, their capacity to persevere and their capacity to solve problems … In short, they acknowledged that their children’s internal world has become more organised and integrated, leading to fewer expressions of aberrant behaviour and more reflective responses when faced with challenges."