Play-Based Support Sessions
Our play-based sessions offer children a calm, supportive space to explore how they are feeling, thinking, and relating to the world around them.
These sessions are led by James, a qualified and specialist teacher and assessor, who has extensive experience supporting children who find emotional regulation, communication, or peer relationships particularly challenging.
Sessions last 50 minutes and are child-led, meaning your child is free to engage at their own pace, through play, conversation, creative activities, or shared interests. There is no pressure to “perform” or talk about anything before they are ready. The aim is to help children feel safe, understood, and comfortable.
While these are not play therapy sessions, they are intentionally playful and relational. Play provides a natural way for children to express themselves, build trust, and make sense of their experiences — especially when emotions or words feel hard to access.
Within this relaxed framework, James gently supports children to:
- develop practical tools for managing big or overwhelming emotions
- build confidence in communication and social situations
- explore strategies to help peer relationships feel less confusing or stressful
- identify what makes things feel harder — and what helps
The focus is on helping children better understand themselves and equipping them with simple, usable strategies they can try at home or school, to make everyday situations feel more manageable.
These sessions are particularly suitable for children who:
- struggle to regulate emotions
- find it hard to communicate how they feel
- experience anxiety around friendships or peer interactions
- feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted
Above all, the sessions aim to help children feel heard, supported, and empowered, while giving them tools that fit who they are — not forcing them to change who they are.
Our Play-Based Support Sessions are designed for children and young people who benefit from a relational, child-centred approach to emotional regulation, confidence-building, communication, and engagement.
Sessions are delivered by our Specialist Teacher and Assessor using play-based, developmentally informed methods to help children explore feelings, build coping strategies, and strengthen emotional understanding in a safe, supportive way. Sessions are flexible and responsive to the child’s needs and stage of development.
Fees: £120 per 50-minute session
Play-Based Sessions (In-Clinic James Turley)
We also offer play-based sessions with James Turley, Specialist Teacher (QTS) and Specialist Assessor.
These child-led sessions support:
- Engagement and confidence
- Regulation and emotional expression
- Observation of learning, attention, and interaction styles
This approach is particularly well suited to children who find more formal or adult-led approaches challenging.
Sessions with James Turley are charged at £120 per hour.
Important information
- Play-Based Support Sessions are supportive and developmental and do not constitute diagnostic assessment or psychotherapy.
- Sessions are tailored to the child’s emotional, developmental and neurodivergent profile.
- Parents may be involved at the beginning or end of sessions where appropriate, to support carry-over into everyday life.
- All sessions must be booked and paid for in advance, in line with our Terms and Conditions
If you would like guidance on whether play-based support is appropriate for your child, please contact our admin team or arrange a discovery call.
Booking a Visit
All observation visits can be booked as stand-alone services or alongside other assessments.
📧 Email: admin@tablapsychology.co.uk
📞 Call: 023 9204 1876
Please send us an enquiry by getting in touch here.
