Structure
Clear, safe, adult-led routines that take the burden of control off the child.
Occupational therapy
Theraplay & Play Therapy
Playful, structured sessions that rebuild connection and trust between a child and the adults around them.
What it is
Understanding theraplay & play therapy
Theraplay is a structured, attachment-based approach. Unlike talking therapies it needs no language, which makes it powerful for young children, for children who do not talk about feelings, and for families working across more than one language.
Sessions are built on four dimensions: structure, engagement, nurture and challenge. The adult leads, warmly and predictably. Over weeks a child learns something they may have stopped believing — that being close to their parent is safe and good.
When it helps
Signs this may be right for your child
You do not need all of these. One that keeps repeating is reason enough to ask.
Pushes you away, then clingsContradictory closeness that leaves everyone exhausted.
Constant power strugglesEvery small request becomes a negotiation or a fight.
Difficulty accepting comfortCannot be soothed by you when genuinely upset.
Adopted, fostered or long hospital staysEarly separations that interrupted bonding.
Overly independent for their ageNever asks for help, even when clearly struggling.
A parent who feels shut outLove is there, but connection is not getting through.
What we work on
Inside the programme
Engagement
Delight-based games that pull a child into shared, joyful attention.
Nurture
Caring, soothing moments that rebuild trust in being looked after.
Challenge
Achievable, shared challenges that build competence and confidence.
Parent participation
You are not observing — you are in the play, guided by me.
Co-regulation
Learning to calm together before expecting a child to calm alone.
How it works
Three steps, start to finish
The same structure for every family — the content inside is built around your child.
Step 1
Meeting the parents first
The first session is yours alone. We go through your child's history, what you have already tried, and honestly how the relationship feels right now — without your child hearing any of it.
- Full developmental history
- A structured interaction assessment
- Goals agreed with you
Step 2
Playing together
Weekly sessions of around 45 minutes. I plan and lead the games; you take part. They look simple — a hand-stack, a balloon kept in the air, lotion on a scratch — and they are doing far more than they appear to.
- Adult-led, never child-pressured
- All four dimensions in every session
- Short, warm and highly repetitive
Step 3
Taking it home
Every session ends with two or three games to use during the week — at bedtime, after school, in the moments that usually go wrong. This is where the relationship actually shifts.
- Two or three games a week
- Built into existing routines
- Reviewed together each session
Tools & activities
What we actually use
Nothing here is magic — it is ordinary equipment used with a clear therapeutic reason. Most of what goes home is built from things you already own.
- Lotion & powder
- Balloons & bubbles
- Cotton balls
- Hand games
- Feeding games
- Blankets
- Mirror play
- Song & rhythm
Progress
What progress looks like
Goals are written in plain language, so you always know what we are working toward and whether we are getting there.
A child who seeks you out for comfort
Fewer, shorter power struggles
Calmer bedtimes and reunions
Parents who feel competent again
FAQ
About theraplay & play therapy
Do I have to be in the session?
Yes — that is the point. Theraplay works on the relationship between you and your child, so it cannot be done to a child alone while you wait outside.
My child hates being told what to do.
Very common, and not a barrier. The structure is warm and playful rather than demanding, and for many controlling children it is a relief to stop being in charge.
How many sessions does it take?
A typical course is 18 to 24 weekly sessions, with parent-only reviews along the way. Some families need fewer; we agree the plan openly after the assessment.
Is this the same as play therapy?
Related but different. Most play therapy is child-led and non-directive. Theraplay is adult-led, structured and always includes the parent.
Related
Services that often go together
Most children benefit from more than one. We agree the mix in the free consultation.
Sensory Integration
Helping a child's nervous system make sense of sound, touch and movement.
Learn more
Parent Coaching & Home Programmes
Practical routines and strategies you can actually run at home.
Learn more
Daily Living Skills
Dressing, eating, washing, sleeping — independence built one routine at a time.
Learn more
Think theraplay & play therapy might help?
Start with a free consultation. We will talk it through and I will tell you honestly whether this is the right place to begin.
