Every child is unique—and so is the way we work together. My approach to play therapy is integrative and tailored, thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs, age, and challenges faced by each child.

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At the heart of my work is a child-centred, person-centred philosophy. I aim to create a safe, trusting environment where children feel empowered to explore their inner world through play. I blend non-directive and directive methods, allowing flexibility to shift between following the child’s lead and offering gentle guidance when needed. This balance ensures that the therapeutic process is both responsive and effective.

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Building a strong therapeutic relationship is my first priority. I focus on creating a space that is non-threatening and emotionally safe, where children can engage at their own pace. This trust lays the foundation for meaningful progress.

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I draw on a range of evidence-based modalities to support the child’s growth and emotional well-being, including:

• Person-Centred Play Therapy

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Narrative Therapy

• Mindfulness Practices

• Gestalt Therapy

• Psychodynamic Principles​

 

By integrating these approaches, I can support children in processing their experiences, expressing themselves, and developing tools for resilience. My ultimate goal is to honour each child’s unique story and help them move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and emotional strength.

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More specifically, my therapeutic approach is based on both Virginia Axline and Carl Roger’s principals. Axline was a psychologist and one of the pioneers in the use of play therapy. Axline based her work on Carl Rogers’ person-centred approach. His approach is founded on 3 basic principles:

1. The therapist is congruent with the client.

2. The therapist provides the client with unconditional positive regard.

3. The therapist shows empathic understanding to the client.

 

My work is aligned with Carl-Roger’s person-centred approach as well as Axline’s eight core principles, namely:

• The therapist should build a trusting relationship and good rapport with the client as soon as possible by being warm and friendly.

• The therapist should accept the child “for what they are, just as they are”. (This is based on a principle that Rogers’ termed “unconditional positive regard”).

• The therapist should establish a feeling of permission in the relationship so that the child feels free to express his or her feelings completely.   

• The therapist is sensitive towards the client’s feelings and reflects those back to the client in such a way that the client is better able to make sense of their own behaviour.

• Recognises that it is the child’s responsibility to make their own choices and harness change.  The child has the ability to solve his/her own problems and allows the child the opportunity to do so and thus maintaining a deep respect for the child.

• Allows the client to lead the therapy, without directing the child.

• Allows the therapy to happen gradually and does not hurry the process in any way.

• Anchors the therapy to real life by putting in place only those limitations that are necessary to make the child aware of his responsibility in the relationship.