FAQ - Answering your questions 

Play and Creative Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy, or counselling for children. It is a gentle, child-led approach that uses play, art, storytelling, and creativity to help children explore and make sense of their emotions and experiences. Play in therapy gives children a way to express themselves in the way that is most natural to their development—especially when they’re finding it hard to make sense of their feelings.

My therapy services are suitable for children around 4–14 years old. Sessions are adapted to each child’s developmental stage and needs:

• Younger children (around 4–7): May benefit more from a non-directive approach, using play as the main form of communication.

• Older children (around 8–14): May engage in creative therapy, with more talking, gentle psychoeducation, and reflective activities.

Each session is tailored to help the child feel supported, understood, and able to express themselves in the way that suits them best.

We are located in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. I offer private therapy services from The Grove Therapy in Ilkley and also in Bingley. Please visit our contact page for more details.

Yes — everything your child shares in therapy is kept confidential, except in cases where there is a safeguarding concern. It’s important that your child feels the sessions are a safe space to express themselves freely.

At the same time, I keep parents involved: I share general themes that emerge in the play and offer gentle suggestions to support your child at home.

Additionally, as a therapist, I meet regularly with a clinical supervisor, and cases are discussed in supervision to ensure safe and effective practice.

This kind of therapy is suitable for children aged between 4 and 14 who may be experiencing emotional, behavioural, or relational difficulties. This could include anything from anxiety, grief, trauma, or attachment challenges, to low self-esteem, angry outbursts, or difficulties adjusting to life changes. 

Sessions are 45 minutes long and are guided by your child’s needs and interests. We might use toys, art materials, stories, sand trays, games, or role-play—whatever your child feels drawn to.

It’s important to know that play is the work. Even when it looks like your child is just playing, they are exploring feelings, expressing themselves, and processing experiences.

The sessions are child-led, and I move flexibly between non-directive play and gentle activities or psychoeducation when helpful.

This approach ensures therapy is always responsive, supportive, and centred on your child, allowing them to work through emotions in a way that feels safe and natural.

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Just like adult counselling, therapy sessions are designed as 1:1 spaces for your child. This allows them to explore feelings and play freely, which is an essential part of the work.

For the first session, you are welcome to stay in the room until your child feels comfortable. After that, most children do best when the session is just between them and the therapist.

Parents are, however, a very important part of the process. We will have parent sessions where I can share themes from your child’s play and offer practical ways to support them at home. This helps ensure therapy is supported and reinforced outside the session, while still keeping the child’s space safe and private.

Play therapy usually runs for a minimum of 12 sessions to allow trust to build and for your child to explore feelings at their own pace.

We begin with a parent consultation, then six sessions with your child, followed by a review meeting to decide together if continuing or adjusting the approach is helpful.

You are free to end or extend therapy at any point, depending on what feels best for your child.

Yes. The therapeutic relationship is primarily with the child, but your role is vital. We begin with a parent consultation to get a full picture of your child’s needs and experiences. Regular reviews and check-ins are also offered to support you in supporting your child. I am trained in therapeutic parenting, and sometimes it may feel more appropriate to work solely with parents and carers, or to take a hybrid approach that supports both you and your child. Every family is different, and we can talk together about what feels most helpful.

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Private sessions are £60 for a 45 minute session and take place weekly at the same time each week.

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My main therapy location is in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, and I also have a few appointments available in Bingley. I also visit schools and offer online sessions where appropriate. 

Yes — I provide secure, play-based online sessions for children aged 7 and above, drawing on my experience delivering creative and interactive support from home.

Online therapy isn’t suitable for younger children or every child, but can be helpful for older children who understand and engage well online.

Therapy is a gradual process, and progress can look different for every child. Often, the changes are subtle at first — your child may begin to express feelings more openly, manage worries more easily, or approach challenges with greater confidence.

As with any therapy, it’s normal for things to initially feel more intense or seem to get worse before improvements are noticed. This is part of the process as your child works through feelings and experiences in a safe space.

We regularly check in with parents to share general themes from the sessions and offer ways to support your child at home. Over time, these small steps often lead to meaningful improvements in emotional wellbeing, coping, and relationships.

• Encourage regular attendance Be consistent and positive about attending sessions — this helps your child feel secure and supported.

• Give your child space Avoid asking questions like “What did you do today?” or “Tell me what happened.” Therapy is their private time to explore feelings at their own pace.

• Don’t focus on being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ Therapy isn’t about behaving a certain way. Your child must feel free to express all feelings, even difficult or ‘bad’ ones, without judgment.

• Share concerns separately If you have worries, talk to the therapist outside of the session, rather than asking your child to report on them.

• Prepare for messy play Sessions may involve paint, sand, or other creative materials. Encourage your child to wear clothes they can get messy in to reduce anxiety and allow full engagement.

• Trust the process Remember, play itself is the work. Even when it looks like your child is just playing, they are processing emotions, learning coping skills, and building resilience.