Heart & Soul Therapeutic Play Practice offers one-to-one and group Play Therapy for children aged 4 to 13. The service follows the Integrative Holistic Model of Play Therapy, delivered in line with the standards and ethical framework of Play Therapy UK (PTUK), a professional body accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This evidence-based, child-centred approach supports children’s emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing through play and creative expression — a child’s natural language for exploring feelings and experiences.

Who the Service May Benefit

Play Therapy can support children through a wide range of experiences and challenges. It may be helpful for children who are navigating emotional, social, or developmental difficulties, as well as those experiencing change, stress, or uncertainty in their lives.

This may include children who are:

• experiencing worry, anxiety, or emotional distress

• adjusting to changes such as separation, loss, or transitions

• finding it hard to express feelings or manage big emotions

• experiencing difficulties with confidence, self-esteem, or relationships

• showing changes in behaviour or emotional regulation

• processing experiences that feel confusing, overwhelming, or difficult to talk about

Play Therapy is also beneficial for children who may not present with a specific difficulty, but who would benefit from a supportive space to explore feelings, build resilience, and strengthen emotional understanding through play.

Every child’s experience is unique, and Play Therapy offers a flexible, child-centred approach that responds to each child’s individual needs and circumstances.

1:1 Play Therapy in My Home Practice

I offer individual Play Therapy sessions in my dedicated therapy room at home, providing a calm, consistent, and nurturing environment where children can feel safe, contained, and supported. The therapy room is carefully prepared to support emotional safety, confidentiality, and clear therapeutic boundaries.

Sessions are:

• child-led and trauma-informed

• delivered at the same time each week, in the same space

• supported through creative and symbolic play using art materials, sand, clay, stories, music, games, role play, small world resources, and a wide range of toys that support imagination and emotional expression

• grounded in child development and neuroscience

Each child is typically offered an initial block of 12 weekly sessions, allowing time to build a trusting therapeutic relationship, begin processing experiences and support emotional growth. Play Therapy is a gradual and individual process. While it is understandable to hope for quick solutions, meaningful and lasting change often develops over time as trust, safety and understanding grow. The length of therapy is reviewed regularly and may be extended where appropriate, based on the child’s needs. The average length of therapy is around 30 sessions, although every child is different.

Progress is monitored using tools such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), alongside ongoing therapeutic observation and review. At the end of a block of therapy, a summary report is provided, highlighting therapeutic themes, progress and outcomes.

1:1 and Group Play Therapy in Nurseries, Primary and Secondary Schools

Heart & Soul Therapeutic Play Practice is an approved provider on the City of Edinburgh Council Flexible Purchasing Framework for Certified Counselling and Therapies for Children and Young People. 

Play Therapy can be delivered within nursery and school settings where this has been arranged directly by the setting or commissioned through the Council framework. School/nursery based provision enables children to access therapeutic support within their educational and childcare environment, including those who may not otherwise be able to access Play Therapy privately. 

Parental / Carers permission is always required and would form part of the consultation process.

All school-based work follows the same ethical, child-centred, and trauma-informed principles as home-based sessions and is delivered in line with Play Therapy UK (PTUK) standards.

1:1 Sessions:

• 1:1 sessions are typically offered as an initial block of 12 weekly sessions. 

• take place in a private, consistent space provided by the setting

The length of therapy is reviewed regularly and may be extended where appropriate, based on the child’s needs. Play Therapy is a gradual and individual process, and while it is understandable to hope for quick solutions, meaningful and lasting change often develops over time as trust, safety and understanding grow. The average length of therapy is around 30 sessions, although every child is different. Progress is monitored using tools such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), alongside ongoing therapeutic observation and review with parents/carers and school staff. At the end of a block of therapy, a summary report is provided, highlighting therapeutic themes, progress and outcomes. 

Group Sessions: 

Small group Play Therapy may be arranged by nursery and schools where children share common themes and are developmentally similar, usually within a year of each other.

Groups typically:

• consist of up to four children

• run for approximately 6 to 10 sessions, depending on the needs of the group

• are carefully planned to ensure emotional safety and therapeutic containment

Progress is monitored using tools such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), alongside ongoing therapeutic observation and review with parents/carers and school staff. At the end of a block of therapy, an individual summary report is provided for each child in the group, highlighting broad therapeutic themes, progress and outcomes. 

Planned Endings

Endings are an important part of the therapeutic process and are always carefully planned and supported. When therapy is nearing completion, time is given to help the child prepare for this transition in a developmentally appropriate way and to reflect on their progress. Planned endings support emotional containment, help children make sense of change, and ensure the therapeutic work comes to a safe, thoughtful, and meaningful close. 

Fees for home-based therapy and school-commissioned work vary depending on setting and provision. 

Further information is available on request.