The Space to Be
Individual play therapy sessions provide a safe, child-centred space where your child can explore their feelings, worries and experiences through play. Sessions are led by your child’s pace and interests, using toys, creative arts and sensory materials to help them express what might be hard to put into words.
Sessions are held in private clinics at Frome (We Hear You)Therapy Rooms and Bath Area Play Project.
If a daytime appointment is needed, you can speak with your child's school about granting permission for them to attend play therapy during school hours. I also accept referrals directly from schools.
In some cases, parents may choose to fund school-based play therapy sessions themselves. This can be arranged where the school has a suitable private space available and is happy to accommodate the sessions.
How Referrals Work
Play therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s important that it feels safe and manageable for you and your child. I usually suggest the following pathway:
Step 1: Make an enquiry
You’re welcome to get in touch to check availability and book a free 20‑minute phone call. This is a relaxed, no‑obligation conversation where you can briefly share your concerns, ask questions, and hear more about how play therapy works.
Step 2: Complete a referral form
If we agree that play therapy may be helpful, I’ll invite you to complete the referral form on this page. It gathers key information about your child, their school, and any important background so I can plan safely and thoughtfully.
You’re very welcome to complete the form even if we haven’t spoken yet. If this is your first contact, I’ll read your referral and then get in touch to arrange a phone call or initial parent consultation.
What happens next
After receiving your referral, I will confirm availability and either offer an initial parent assessment meeting or, if needed, a place on the waiting list.
Please download and complete this form, then email it back to me at tessacopeplaytherapy@gmail.com. I’ll read it carefully and get in touch to talk through next steps.
If you find forms difficult, you’re very welcome to email or call instead and we can think it through together.
Booking Sessions
If we decide that play therapy is the right support for your child, we'll begin planning the therapeutic journey together. Each stage is designed to help your child feel safe, supported and ready to build a trusting therapeutic relationship at their own pace.
From this point, we'll work through the following steps:
Step 3: Initial Parent Assessment
This is a parent-only session providing space to explore your child’s background, current challenges, and strengths. During this session, we will complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) together, discuss your child's history and current needs, and I will explain the therapeutic process, answer any questions, and go through consent and next steps before therapy begins.
Step 4: Family Session (Optional)
Where appropriate, you and your child may be invited into the play therapy room for an introductory session. This session helps your child become familiar with the space and therapist in a gentle and supportive way. This step is optional, as some children benefit from having a parent present initially, while others settle better starting sessions independently. We will decide together what is most supportive for your child.
Step 5: Ongoing Sessions & Parent Support
Children attend regular one-to-one play therapy sessions. Parent consultations take place at key points in the process - typically mid-way and towards the end, depending on the number of sessions. These sessions offer space to review progress, reflect on themes, and support you in helping your child outside the therapy room. A summary report is available at the end of therapy as an optional service and can be shared with you and - if helpful - your child’s school or other professionals.
“Play is the child’s natural medium of self-expression.”
Virginia Axline
Costs
I aim to be clear and open about costs so you know what to expect.
Play Therapy & Parent Support
Private Clinics
Play therapy sessions (40 minutes)
£60
Parent initial assessment / review meetings
(1 hour)
£45
End-of-therapy summary report (optional)
£55
If you have any questions about costs or need to talk through what’s possible for your family, please get in touch.
School referrals are usually offered in half-day blocks to support continuity within the school environment and to accommodate travel, preparation, setup, and pack-down time. In some cases individual school based sessions can be arranged, depending on availability.
Morning block (up to 3 pupils)
Afternoon block (up to 2 pupils)
Schools are welcome to get in touch to discuss referrals and
Play Therapy packages.