Tabla Psychology offers play therapy in Hampshire for children aged 4 to 13 years who may be finding it difficult to express, process or manage their emotions through words alone.
Play therapy can help children explore feelings, experiences, relationships and worries through play, creativity, metaphor and therapeutic connection. For many children, play is a natural language. It can offer a safe and contained way to communicate thoughts and feelings that may otherwise feel too confusing, overwhelming or difficult to explain directly.
Our play therapy service is delivered by Emma Courtney, a Level 7 Certified Play Therapist, qualified through the University of Chichester and APAC, and registered with Play Therapy UK. Emma has experience supporting children with a range of needs, including Autism, ADHD, developmental trauma, loss and change, anxiety, attachment needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. She also has 16 years’ experience in secondary teaching, holds Qualified Teacher Status, and has worked in pastoral support at primary level.
Why families choose Tabla for play therapy
Families often come to us when a child is struggling emotionally, socially or behaviourally, but is not yet able to explain clearly what is happening or what they need.
Children may show distress through anxiety, withdrawal, anger, tearfulness, sleep difficulties, low confidence, emotional outbursts, avoidance, friendship difficulties, separation anxiety, school-related worries, changes in behaviour or increased sensitivity at home or school.
Play therapy provides a calm and carefully held space where children can begin to explore their inner world, build emotional understanding, develop trust and find safer ways to express and manage difficult feelings.
Families choose Tabla because we offer:
- A thoughtful, child-centred and developmentally sensitive approach
- Play therapy for children aged 4 to 13 years
- Play therapy delivered by a Level 7 Certified Play Therapist registered with Play Therapy UK
- Clinical oversight within a multidisciplinary psychology practice
- A screening process before therapy begins, to ensure suitability
- A structured 14-appointment therapeutic package
- Clear parent review sessions halfway through and at the end of the package
- Careful attention to safeguarding, emotional wellbeing and family context
- A compassionate, neuroaffirming and strengths-based approach
- A calm, welcoming clinic environment in Hambledon
- Integration with wider Tabla Psychology services where appropriate
Our clinic is based at The Old Dairy in Hambledon, near Portsmouth and Petersfield. The space is designed to feel warm, calm and welcoming, rather than clinical or overwhelming.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play, creativity and the therapeutic relationship to help children express and process feelings.
Children do not always have the language, emotional vocabulary or developmental maturity to explain what is troubling them. Play therapy allows children to communicate in a way that may feel more natural and less pressured.
Within a safe therapeutic relationship, children may use toys, stories, art, sand, role play, metaphor, creative materials, movement or imaginative play to explore feelings, relationships and experiences. The therapist supports the child to feel seen, heard and understood, while maintaining clear emotional and professional boundaries.
Play therapy is not about telling children what to do or asking them to talk before they are ready. It is about helping children make sense of their feelings, develop emotional regulation, build confidence and find safer ways to express distress.
Who may play therapy help?
Play therapy may be helpful for children aged 4 to 13 years who are experiencing emotional, social or relational difficulties, including:
- Anxiety, worry or emotional overwhelm
- Low confidence or low self-esteem
- Difficulties expressing feelings
- Emotional outbursts or frequent dysregulation
- Withdrawal, sadness or changes in mood
- Difficulties with friendships or peer relationships
- Separation anxiety or difficulties with transitions
- Family change, divorce, adoption, fostering, loss or adjustment
- Developmental trauma or attachment-related needs
- School-related anxiety or challenges
- Bullying or relational difficulties
- Illness or difficult life events
- Children who find direct talking therapy too difficult or too exposing
Play therapy may also be helpful for neurodivergent children, depending on their developmental, sensory, communication and emotional profile. Where Autism, ADHD, learning needs, sensory processing differences or language needs may be relevant, these will be considered as part of the pre-screening process.
Before play therapy begins: Comprehensive Pre-Screening
Before starting play therapy, families complete our Comprehensive Pre-Screener.
This is an important first step because it helps us consider whether play therapy is likely to be clinically appropriate, safe and helpful. It also helps us identify whether another pathway may be more suitable, such as parent consultation, Educational Psychology assessment, Autism or ADHD assessment, school observation, child support sessions, or onward referral to another service.
The pre-screener helps us consider:
- The main concerns at home and school
- The child’s emotional wellbeing
- Developmental and neurodevelopmental considerations
- Family context and current stressors
- Safeguarding and risk factors
- School attendance, peer relationships and daily functioning
- Whether play therapy is likely to be the right next step
What happens during play therapy sessions?
Each child’s play therapy will look slightly different, depending on their age, developmental stage, communication style, interests and emotional needs.
Emma uses an Integrative Holistic Model of play therapy. This is a relational, child-centred and evidence-informed approach that considers the whole child, including their development, relationships, emotions, body, nervous system, environment and life experiences.
Sessions may include imaginative play, art, sand, clay, puppets, dressing up, role play, storytelling, music, movement, games, miniature figures or construction toys. The activities used will depend on what feels most natural and helpful for the child.
Some children may talk directly about their feelings. Others may communicate through play themes, choices, patterns, stories or creative expression. Emma works at the child’s pace, helping them feel understood while maintaining clear therapeutic boundaries and emotional safety.
Her background in teaching and pastoral support also informs her understanding of children’s learning, school experiences, relationships and emotional development.
Parents do not usually sit in the child’s individual therapy sessions, unless this has been agreed as clinically appropriate. Parent review sessions take place separately so that progress, broad themes and practical next steps can be discussed while still respecting the child’s therapeutic space.
What does the play therapy package involve?
Our play therapy service is offered as a structured package of 14 appointments in total.
This includes:
- 12 direct play therapy sessions with the child
- 1 parent review session halfway through the therapy block
- 1 parent review session at the end of the therapy block
The parent review sessions are an important part of the therapeutic process. They provide an opportunity to reflect on broad themes, progress, emotional needs and practical next steps. These sessions do not involve sharing every detail of the child’s therapy, as the child’s therapeutic space needs to feel safe and respected. However, parents will be supported to understand the overall direction of the work and how they can support their child at home and, where relevant, in relation to school.
Safeguarding concerns will always be shared and escalated in line with professional and legal duties.
Therapy is usually most helpful when children experience consistency, predictability and emotional safety. For this reason, sessions are offered as a structured package rather than as occasional or ad hoc appointments.
What happens after the package?
At the end of the 14-appointment package, parents attend a final review session to consider progress, themes and next steps.
Possible next steps may include:
- Ending the therapeutic work if sufficient progress has been made
- A further package of play therapy, where clinically appropriate
- Parent consultation or parent outreach support
- School liaison or school observation
- Child support sessions focused on emotional regulation or coping
- Comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment, where Autism orADHD questions remain significant
- Educational Psychology assessment, where learning or school-based needs require further investigation
- Onward referral to another service where needs fall outside the scope of play therapy
Fees
The cost is £130 per appointment.
The full package includes 14 appointments in total: 12 direct play therapy sessions with the child and 2 parent review sessions.
The total cost of the package is £1,820.
Payment is required in advance for the full package.
What does it cover?
Assessment areas include:
- Social interaction, such as how your child initiates and maintains social conversation
- Social communication, such as how your child makes sense of the thoughts and feelings of themselves and others
- Interests which seem unusually intense
- Sensory and emotional needs, including an indepth consideration of any anxiety your child or teen may be experiencing and what is underpinning this.
What happens during the assessment?
An initial phone call with Dr Tamasine Black is offered on Tuesdays between 10am and Midday. It is the first appointment you will have for either an adult or child assessment, and these are offered as part of a call list whereby Dr Tamasine Black will call you between these times. This is a relaxed, informal brief phone call whereby any questions can be answered, and any adaptations you or your child may need from the appointment are noted.
We offer two assessment sessions. One is for parents only and is with our clinical psychologist online, and is a lengthy neurodevelopmental interview. The other is for children and teens and is in our Hambledon Clinic. This appointment is as child-lead as possible and children are encouraged to bring an item of interest they may wish to show Tamasine. Every effort is made to reduce anxiety and to ensure the child or teen feels comfortable, relaxed and regulated. Please let us know if your child is not comfortable with dogs, and we will ensure your in clinic appointment is on a Thursday, when Freddie is not in.
Checklists are also sent to you for you to complete, your child as appropriate, and to provide to your child’s school for the adult who knows your child best to fill in.
A voice recording will be made for effective safeguarding and supervision purposes.
What happens after the assessment?
A substantial report is issued in the weeks after the clinic appointment to allow time for our team to meet and for any additional relevant information to be gathered.
Along with a clear diagnosis and executive summary, this report also gives a clear and detailed analysis of your child’s strengths and needs along with recommended strategies, support and guidance for ongoing support as necessary.
Booking and Availability
Play therapy is offered in person at our clinic in Hambledon, near Portsmouth and Petersfield.
Before booking a play therapy package, families must complete our Comprehensive Pre-Screener so that we can consider suitability and advise on the most appropriate next step.
To enquire about child or teen play therapy, please contact our team using the link below.
Play Therapy FAQ
What age range is play therapy suitable for?
At Tabla Psychology, play therapy is offered for children aged 4 to 13 years.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that helps children explore and express feelings through play, creativity and the therapeutic relationship. It can be particularly helpful for children who find it difficult to explain their feelings directly through words.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black (Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child), Dr Neha Matharu (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Victoria Russ (Clinical Psychologist). All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies with enhanced DBS checks.
Who provides play therapy at Tabla Psychology?
Play therapy is delivered by Emma Courtney, a Level 7 Certified Play Therapist, qualified through the University of Chichester and APAC, and registered with Play Therapy UK. Emma has experience working with children with Autism, ADHD, developmental trauma, loss and change, anxiety, attachment needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. She also has a background in teaching and pastoral support.
Our autism assessment team includes Dr Tamasine Black (Lead Psychologist, Educational and Child), Dr Neha Matharu (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Victoria Russ (Clinical Psychologist). All members of the team are additionally trained in autism assessment and diagnosis and engage in regular professional supervision. They are registered with their professional bodies with enhanced DBS checks.
Do we need a pre-screener before starting?
Yes. Families need to complete our Comprehensive Pre-Screener before play therapy begins. This helps us consider whether play therapy is suitable and whether another pathway may be more appropriate.
How many appointments are included?
The play therapy package includes 14 appointments in total. This is made up of 12 direct play therapy sessions with the child, plus 2 parent review sessions: one halfway through the therapy block and one at the end.
Are all 14 appointments with the child?
No. The package includes 12 direct play therapy sessions with the child and 2 parent review sessions. The parent review sessions take place halfway through the therapy block and at the end.
How much does it cost?
The cost is £130 per appointment. The full package costs £1,820 and is payable in advance.
Can we book just one or two sessions?
Play therapy is offered as a structured package because consistency and predictability are important for therapeutic work. We do not usually offer isolated play therapy sessions.
Will parents be told what happens in the sessions?
The child’s therapeutic space is treated with care and respect. Parents will not receive a detailed account of everything the child says or does in therapy. However, parent review sessions are included, and broad themes, emotional needs and practical support strategies can be discussed. Safeguarding concerns will always be shared and escalated where necessary.
Is play therapy suitable for autistic children or children with ADHD?
Play therapy may be helpful for some neurodivergent children, but this depends on the child’s individual profile, communication style, sensory needs, emotional needs and level of risk. The Comprehensive Pre-Screener helps us consider whether play therapy is likely to be appropriate.
Is this a diagnostic assessment?
No. Play therapy is not a diagnostic assessment. If there are questions about Autism, ADHD, learning needs, language, cognition or wider developmental needs, we may recommend a different assessment pathway.
Is this a crisis service?
No. Play therapy at Tabla Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If there is immediate risk or urgent mental health concern, families should contact their GP, NHS 111, emergency services, CAMHS crisis services or social care as appropriate.
Can school be involved?
Where appropriate, and with parent consent, school information may be considered as part of the wider understanding of the child. Any school involvement would depend on the child’s needs, the purpose of the work and what has been agreed with the family.
What happens at the end of the package?
At the end of the package, there is a parent review session to consider progress, themes and next steps. This may include ending therapy, booking a further package, accessing parent support, considering school support, or exploring assessment if further needs are identified.
