Play Therapy
Children don't always have the words to explain what they are thinking, feeling or experiencing.
Play Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where children can communicate through play, imagination, creativity and metaphor. Through the therapeutic power of play, in a warm, non-judgemental space, children can process difficult feelings and experiences, build self-awareness and confidence, regulate their emotions, and develop emotional resilience and healthier ways of coping with challenges.
Who?
We offer Play Therapy for children aged 4-12.
Our Play Therapists are fully trained, certified and registered with PTUK.
The referral process will establish if Play Therapy is a suitable intervention depending on individual circumstances.
What?
Sessions offer a range of creative arts materials including painting, drawing, clay, playdoh and junk modelling, as well as sand tray play with a range of toys including small world, figures, dolls, puppets, games, dressing up and musical instruments. Children are free to play with whatever they choose.
Where?
We currently offer Play Therapy at these locations:
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Stourbridge
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Bromsgrove
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Worcester
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Birmingham
Sessions take place in the same dedicated therapy space every week.
Why?
Being a child isn't always easy. Children may experience difficulties that can feel overwhelming or confusing. Family changes, friendships, anxiety, low self-esteem, loss and big changes in their lives can all affect a child's emotional wellbeing. Play Therapy offers a safe place to heard, understood and supported by a trained therapist.
How?
Over time, the therapeutic relationship and the opportunties to express themselves through play can help children develop a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. They can become more self aware, develop coping strategies and grow in confidence.
Why choose Play Therapy?
“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Plato
Sometimes, when children do not have the words or confidence to explain how they are feeling, instead their worries can be expressed through their behaviour or relationships with others.
Play therapy provides children with a safe, supportive and child-centred space where they can communicate and explore their experiences in a way that feels natural to them. They can begin to understand and express their emotions, develop coping strategies, build confidence, and process their experiences.
Play therapy can help children who are experiencing problems which may involve:
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Anxiety
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Fears and worries
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Anger and frustration
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School anxiety and school-based worries
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EBSA
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Friendships and social difficulties
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Domestic abuse
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Changes in family life including parental separation, divorce and family conflict
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ADHD
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Autism
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PDA
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Bereavement and loss
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Body Image
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Identity/gender questioning
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Confidence
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Self-esteem
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Coping strategies
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Depression
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Learning Disabilities
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Family Conflict
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Neurodivergence
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Peer Relationships
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Stress
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Trauma and PTSD
It can also help children to:
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Develop healthy ways to communicate and manage emotions
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Process trauma
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Learn coping strategies to manage anxiety
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Become more self-aware
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Build confidence and self-esteem
Trauma-informed Practice
At WestNest, we recognise that experiences during childhood can shape how children feel, think, behave and connect with others. Our therapists are trauma-aware and take a trauma-informed approach to their work, recognising that difficult or overwhelming experiences can affect a child’s emotional wellbeing, development, relationships and sense of safety.
Our therapists have undertaken extensive training in developmental trauma and trauma-informed approaches, helping them understand how experiences in childhood can influence emotional development and wellbeing over time.
We aim to create a therapeutic environment where children feel safe, respected, heard and understood. Our approach is compassionate and sensitive to each child’s individual experiences, needs and stage of development.
We work at the child’s pace, building trust and helping them feel supported as they explore their experiences and develop ways of understanding and managing their emotions.
Our Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
At WestNest, we recognise and understand that neurodivergent children may experience, communicate and make sense of the world in different ways. We take a neurodiversity-affirming approach, focusing on understanding the child rather than trying to change aspects of who they are.
Our therapists recognise that communication, play, relationships, sensory experiences and emotional expression can look different for every child. We take time to understand each child's individual way of communicating and experiencing the world, adapting our therapeutic approach to help them feel safe, accepted and understood.
We celebrate children's strengths, interests and individuality, while supporting them to explore experiences that may feel difficult or overwhelming. Through the therapeutic relationship and child-led Play Therapy, children can develop greater self-understanding, confidence and emotional wellbeing in a space where they can be accepted exactly as they are.
We believe neurodivergent children don't need to change who they are.
They need to be understood, supported and given the space to be themselves.
Professional Registration & Regulation
Our WestNest Play Therapists are officially registered with Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) for your peace of mind.
All of our therapists:
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have an enhanced DBS check
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are GDPR compliant and registered with the ICO
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hold professional indemnity insurance
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are trained in safeguarding and data protection
Meet the Therapeutic Team
We work with a team of independent Play Therapists and will carefully match you with a therapist based on individual needs and circumstances, location and availability.
Ali Weston - Play & Creative Arts Therapist
Ali has over 20 years’ experience working with children, and is passionate about supporting children to feel understood, valued and able to thrive. Before re-training as a play therapist, Ali worked as a primary school teacher and has a deep understanding of children's behaviour an development.
As a qualified Play Therapist, Ali supports children who may be experiencing emotional, behavioural or social difficulties as well as those navigating neurodivergence or trauma. Ali believes that all children are unique and her approach is integrative, holistic, and child-centred, focussing on acceptance, trust and safety.
Laura Breakwell - Play & Creative Arts Therapist
Laura is a passionate Play Therapist who takes a child-led, non-directive approach, supporting children to explore and process emotional challenges through play, creativity and a varied therapeutic toolkit.
With a deep belief in the positive and life-changing impact creativity can have on people’s lives, Laura brings over 20 years of experience working across the arts and creative sector. Throughout her career, she has designed and delivered creative projects with children, young people and adults, creating opportunities for people to express themselves, build confidence and explore their experiences through creativity.
Laura is also a Director of No.11 Arts, an umbrella organisation supporting Birmingham’s 10 local arts forums, with a particular focus on grassroots arts delivery and using the arts to promote social justice.
Anna Joy - Outdoor Play Therapist
Anna is a qualified Play Therapist and Primary Teacher specialising in Outdoor Play Therapy. She supports children and young people through a child-centred, relationship-based approach grounded in the principles of Virginia Axline, child development, attachment and emotional regulation.
Her work takes place in nature, where the outdoor environment becomes an active part of the therapeutic process. Alongside a carefully considered Play Therapy toolkit, she uses natural materials, movement, creativity and opportunities for exploration to give children different ways to communicate, process experiences and develop emotional regulation.
Anna believes children need space to be understood rather than simply having their behaviour changed. Her role is to provide a safe, accepting therapeutic relationship where children can lead their own play, express themselves in their own way and develop a stronger sense of confidence, agency and self-understanding.
Her aim is to nurture confident and empowered young people, naturally.