Charlotte La Thrope | Counsellor & Psychotherapist

My therapeutic approach

My work is grounded in a neurodiversity affirming approach, which means I see differences in how children think, feel, and experience the world as natural variations, not problems to be fixed.

I prioritise emotional safety and regulation before insight or change. Many children arrive having already worked very hard to cope in environments that don’t fully meet their needs. Therapy offers a space where they don’t have to perform, explain themselves, or meet expectations in order to be accepted.

Sessions are child-led and paced gently. I follow the child’s interests, rhythms, and communication style, whether that shows up through play, creativity, movement, or quiet presence. Consent, choice, and respect for boundaries are central to how I work.

Rather than focusing on behaviour in isolation, I pay close attention to what a child’s behaviour may be communicating about their nervous system, emotions, and experiences. Support is offered through relationship, attunement, and curiosity, not control or correction.

I work collaboratively with parents, while keeping the therapy space centred on the child. This means holding appropriate boundaries around confidentiality, alongside regular communication to help parents better understand and support their child outside of sessions.

Above all, my approach is about meeting children as they are, supporting them to feel safe in their bodies and relationships, and helping them develop self-understanding and resilience in ways that honour who they are.

How play therapy helps

Play therapy offers children a way to make sense of their inner world without relying on words alone. Many children, particularly neurodivergent children, communicate more naturally through play, creativity, movement, and sensory experiences than through direct conversation.

In sessions, your child is supported to explore feelings, experiences, and challenges at their own pace. Rather than being asked to explain or justify their behaviour, they are met with curiosity, acceptance, and emotional safety. This helps reduce pressure and allows trust to develop over time.

Through the therapeutic relationship and the use of play, children can begin to:

Build emotional regulation and body awareness
Express feelings safely and in ways that feel natural to them
Make sense of overwhelming experiences
Develop confidence and a stronger sense of self
Feel understood without needing to mask or perform

For many children, changes show up gradually, in increased emotional flexibility, fewer intense overwhelm responses, or a growing ability to recognise and communicate needs. Progress isn’t measured by compliance or “good behaviour”, but by a child feeling safer, more regulated, and more connected to themselves and others.

Play therapy doesn’t aim to change who your child is. Instead, it offers a supportive space where they can be themselves, build resilience, and develop tools that support them both inside and outside the therapy room.

For children navigating the demands of mainstream environments, having a space where they are not expected to explain, adapt, or mask can be profoundly relieving.

What parents can expect

Reaching out for support can feel like a big step. You don’t need to be certain, and you don’t need to have all the answers. We can begin by talking things through.

Initial contact

When you get in touch, we’ll start with a brief conversation to understand what’s been feeling hard for your child and what you’re hoping for. This is a space to ask questions, share concerns, and explore whether play therapy feels like the right fit.

The first sessions

Early sessions focus on helping your child feel safe and settled. There is no pressure for them to talk, engage in a particular way, or “open up”. Building trust and emotional safety comes first, and this may take time.

Ongoing therapy

Sessions are led at your child’s pace and shaped around their needs and interests. Progress often looks gradual and subtle, and may show up outside the therapy room before it shows up in words. Therapy is not about changing who your child is, but about supporting them to feel more regulated, understood, and confident.

Parent communication

I work collaboratively with parents, offering space to reflect on what may be supporting or challenging your child. At the same time, the therapy space is centred on your child, with clear and respectful boundaries around confidentiality.

Reviews and next steps

We will regularly check in about how things are going and whether therapy continues to feel helpful. Support is not open-ended by default, we move at a pace that feels right for your child and your family.

Many parents notice that simply having a space where their child feels deeply accepted can bring relief, not just for the child, but for the whole family.