BAPT Registered
Fully registered with the British Association of Play Therapists and holding Enhanced DBS clearance.
About The Play Lab
Where play is the language, and children are heard.
A purposeful, sensory-rich therapeutic space in South Wales where children and families are met with warmth, curiosity, and expert care.
Our Philosophy
A collaborative team around your child.
At The Play Lab, we believe that providing effective support for a child means surrounding them with a collaborative team. We work closely with parents, schools, and carers to provide holistic emotional support tailored to your family's unique situation.
Real therapeutic change starts with a meaningful connection, because children need to feel entirely safe and accepted before they can begin to explore their inner worlds. This is why the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of everything we do at The Play Lab. By establishing trust, we ensure that children feel heard and understood, empowering and supporting them to process difficult experiences, discover their own resilience and grow at their own pace.
Sand Tray & Symbols
When words are too heavy, toys speak.
Children often communicate their internal world through action and play rather than words. The Play Lab is a dedicated space where toys, art materials, and sand act as a child's vocabulary. This setup allows them to express complex thoughts, anxieties, and experiences at their own pace, within a safe and consistent boundary.
Miniatures and sand tray work give children the freedom to externalise big feelings - to make the invisible visible, and to begin to make sense of it.
Meet Rachel
A dedicated space, set up entirely with children in mind.
As a BAPT registered Play Therapist, I created The Play Lab out of a dedication to child-centred play therapy and a firm belief that children deserve a dedicated space set up entirely with them in mind. The Play Lab is a confidential, safe environment where children are met with warmth and unconditional positive regard.
I am deeply passionate about children having access to developmentally appropriate therapy. My approach is about meeting each child exactly where they are, not where adults think they should be or where society expects them to be. In the playroom, I provide a warm, consistent, and respectful space, helping children make sense of their world through their natural language of play.
Throughout my career, I found myself working with children in increasingly creative ways. It was eye-opening to see how much could be communicated and understood without relying solely on traditional words, whether that was exploring big feelings through puppets or making something creative together. This discovery is what naturally led me to play therapy as the most powerful way to connect with a child.
Since 2009, my work has been rooted in supporting children and families across charitable, educational, and criminal justice settings. I focus on helping children navigate complex challenges, including family separation and loss, neurodivergence (including autism and ADHD), and emotional and sensory regulation.
I also believe that true support extends beyond the playroom. I firmly view parents and carers as the true experts on their own children. My practice is a collaborative, judgment free space where we work together as a team to understand your child's needs and support their growth.
My Professional Standards
The highest level of safety and clinical care.
Collaborative Practice
Working closely with parents, carers, and schools to ensure a consistent network of support for your child beyond the playroom.
Specialist Expertise
Four years of qualified clinical play therapy combined with a foundational background supporting diverse family needs since 2009, specialising in family separation, neurodivergence, and emotional regulation.