*New venues @ The Mart in East Linton & Liberton Brae in Edinburgh due to open in January 2025*
Helen Forrester
@ Cockenzie House & Gardens & Liberton Brae, Edinburgh
Helen qualified as a Play Therapist in 1997 having previously worked in residential care. She has additional training in Filial Therapy, Clinical Supervision, Child & Parent Relationship Therapy and is currently undertaking Child Play & Attachment Assessment training.
Helen's particular interest is in robust assessment of children's needs. She recognises that parents, carers and professionals surrounding children can feel frustrated, worried and "at sea" when children are distressed. Building a comprehensive understanding of what underlies that distress can make all the difference to adults, helping them to know how to help effectively.
BAPT registered Play Therapist ® & Approved Supervisor ®
Membership no: 266
Laura Jones
@ Cockenzie House & Gardens
Laura has been a practising Play Therapist for 7 years. Her particular passion is in supporting children who have experienced trauma and internalised their distress, either single, traumatic incidents or longer term developmental & relational trauma.
Laura's focus is on flexible, responsive support, being alongside children and their parents / carers and finding ways forward together. She is trained in the additional approaches of Filial Therapy, adolescent therapy and supervision.
BAPT registered Play Therapist®
Membership no: 1670
Ali Stevens-Mains
@ The Mart, East Linton
Ali is a newly qualified Play Therapist with a background in both secondary school and primary teaching. Originally from Canada, Ali is delighted to offer Play Therapy in East Linton. She holds a postgraduate certificate in counselling and brings a wealth of experience to her practice.
Working across a wide area of child and adolescent needs, Ali has a particular skill and interest in supporting young people with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), formerly known as school refusal. She is also committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive play therapy space for gender-diverse young people, employing identity-affirming child-led practices.
Ali provides comprehensive support for their families & carers, helping them understand the young person's needs. Through a strong therapeutic relationship, Ali focuses on building resilience and a strong sense of self in the child.
BAPT Newly Qualified Play Therapist