Play Therapy for children in
Cheshire and Greater Manchester

Creative, child-led therapy delivered by a qualified professional. Supporting children to
 express themselves, feel understood and grow in confidence.

About Me

My name is Laura Christie, a Certified Play and Creative Arts Therapist (PTUK) offering one-to-one, group, and nature-based Play Therapy across Cheshire East and the North West, including Manchester, Stockport and Merseyside. I’m also a qualified Primary School teacher, Nurture Lead and SENDCo with over 17 years’ experience supporting children and families.

I provide a safe, confidential space for children experiencing difficulties – past or present, conscious or unconscious. The therapeutic relationship is central to my work. I follow each child’s lead, offering insight and reflection at the right time, and always honouring their creativity and right to express themselves through play.

I’ve long held a deep connection to the outdoors and understand the important role nature plays in children’s development. As a trained Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner, Forest School Lead and Outdoor Play Therapist (COOPT), I bring extensive experience in nature-based therapy. These sessions follow the same child-centred principles as indoor work, but offer additional opportunities for connection, sensory exploration and holistic healing. Whatever the setting, the relationship remains at the heart of my approach.

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a type of therapy which can help a child or young person express how they are feeling or what they have experienced in their own way, without having to use words to articulate themselves. Sometimes children find it hard to talk about how they feel, or explain why they behave the way they do.

Play is a child’s most natural form of communication. It can help them explore experiences that may be affecting their life, giving them a safe space to process emotions they may not be able to verbalise.

Some reasons a child might work with a Play Therapist are:

  • Withdrawn or anxious behaviour
  • Trauma or abuse
  • Bereavement and loss
  • Hyperactive tendencies
  • Communication difficulties
  • Separation and divorce
  • Friendship difficulties
  • Low self-esteem/confidence
  • Adopted or Looked After Children (LAC)
  • Attachment difficulties
  • Sleep disturbances/nightmares
  • Autistic tendencies

How can Play Therapy help?

Play Therapy creates a safe, supportive space for children to explore emotions, process experiences, and grow in confidence — but the impact goes far beyond the therapy room. Families, carers, and schools often see meaningful changes too, as the child’s emotional wellbeing begins to improve.

Benefits of Play Therapy can include:

  • Helping children process
difficult emotions or life events
  • Boosting self-esteem, resilience, and confidence
  • Improving communication and self-awareness
  • Supporting better engagement
and outcomes in education
  • Supporting emotional 
regulation and behaviour
  • Strengthening relationships at home and in school
  • Providing clarity and support for families and professionals
  • Rebuilding a child’s sense of safety, trust, and connection

How do sessions work?

The play therapy room includes a collection of creative and play-based materials such as sand, puppets, role play and small world, therapeutic stories, clay and art materials, musical instruments and resources for movement and dance. Sessions are child-led, allowing a child to play at their own pace, choosing how and what to play. We do anything the child wants to at that given moment! When appropriate, more directed interventions and play opportunities are introduced to offer insight and promote healing.

  • Play Therapy is for children and young people aged 4-14 years.
  • The play therapy room is a confidential and uninterrupted space.
  • Sessions last 45 minutes and take place once a week, 
at the same time and day. 
  • A child typically needs between 12-16 sessions.
  • Group sessions are 1 hour and provide opportunities for 
children to share their experiences and ideas with others. 
  • Group sessions take place over 10 weeks.  
  • Sessions are confidential unless there is a safeguarding concern. 

Services

I work directly with families and through schools and other organisations to offer the following:

1 to 1 individual play therapy

A personal space to work through big feelings

Child-led sessions tailored to the individual needs of each child. Through creative play, children are supported to explore emotions, build resilience, and process difficult experiences in a safe and confidential space.

Therapeutic group work 

Shared healing, peer connection

Small group sessions designed to help children connect with others, express themselves, and develop social and emotional skills. Ideal for exploring common challenges and building confidence in a supportive group setting.

Nature-based play therapy

Healing through nature and play
Therapy held in natural settings, giving children space to express themselves through movement, exploration and creative play. The outdoors offers a calming, sensory-rich environment that supports self-regulation and emotional growth.

Qualifications & Professional Standards

With a strong foundation in education, psychology, and therapeutic practice, I bring a wealth of experience and specialist training to my work with children and families. I’m committed to professional growth and ethical, evidence-based practice — ensuring the highest standards of care.

Professional Membership and Standards
  • I am a Certified Play Therapist and a registered member of PTUK and I work within their Ethical Framework.  I am on the PTUK Register of Play and Creative Arts Therapies, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.


  • I have regular supervision to ensure that I am working professionally and ethically at all times and attend regular CPD courses as I see my own development, both personally and professionally, as integral to my work.

  • I hold a current DBS Certificate, Professional Liability Insurance and am ICO registered (GDPR). 
  • Certificate in Theory and Practice of Nurture Groups
  • Beacon House Developmental Trauma for Professionals
  • Certificate of Best Practice in Outdoor Play Therapy
  • Level 2 Certificate in Wilderness Therapeutic Interventions
  • Level 2 Forest School Lead
  • Level 2 Elklan Lead Communication Practitioner
  • 2024: Pg Diploma in Play Therapy (Distinction) (Leeds Beckett/PTUK and APAC)
  • 2023: Pg Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (Distinction) (Leeds Beckett/PTUK and APAC)
  • 2016: Pg Certificate National SENDCo Award (Manchester Metropolitan)
  • 2006: PGCE Primary with QTS (University of Nottingham)
  • 2005: BSc Psychology (University of Leicester)

Testimonials

'Thank you for being there when I was alone'
Year 6 child
'Play therapy helped me enjoy myself. When I was sad it made my problems go away. It gave me a target and something to look forward to'
Year 4 child
'He has been more able to regulate his emotions at home and his meltdowns have been less intense and not as frequent'
Parent of Year 2 child
'She is calm and no longer having strong emotional outbursts; she is more in control and aware of others'
Parent of Year 6 child
'Laura's advice and support were invaluable when I had a child with complex emotional and behavioural needs in my class. The work she did continued to have a positive impact on the child long after the play therapy sessions had finished'
Emma Parker, Year 4 teacher Crossacres Primary Academy
'Laura's advice and support were invaluable when I had a child with complex emotional and behavioural needs in my class. The work she did continued to have a positive impact on the child long after the play therapy sessions had finished'
Emma Parker, Year 4 teacher Crossacres Primary Academy