Meet our team

Helen Forrester
Play Therapist & Supervisor
@ Liberton Brae & Cockenzie House

Laura Jones
Play Therapist & Supervisor
@ Cockenzie House

Ali Stevens-Mains
Play Therapist
@ The Mart

Esther Fernandez
Play Therapist & Supervisor
@ Liberton Brae
Helen Forrester
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
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 clinical supervision.
BAPT registered Play Therapist®
Membership no: 1670
Ali Stevens-Mains
Ali is a BAPT Newly Qualified Play Therapist with a background in primary and secondary teaching. Originally from Canada, Ali now offers Play Therapy in East Linton.
Supporting children and young people with a wide range of social, emotional, mental health, and behavioural difficulties, Ali is committed to creating a nurturing, identity-affirming space. Through a strong therapeutic relationship, Ali focuses on building resilience and a strong sense of self in the child.
BAPT newly qualified Play Therapist
Membership no: 1610
Esther Fernandez
Esther has been a practising Play Therapist for 7 years with additional training in Filial Therapy, Clinical Supervision and Animal-Assisted Play Therapy. She speaks fluent Spanish & English and can work in both these languages. She will shortly be able to offer animal-assisted therapy alongside her dog Fresa, in Liberton Brae.
Esther's approach is child centred, including adults surrounding a child by helping them to understand the child's trauma / emotional issues. She works closely with families, schools & nurseries to support positive change.
Esther's background is in working with children with additional learning needs and disabilities for over 20 years in different roles, including in schools and after school clubs (as manager & director) as well as in the NHS as a nursing assistant in a brain injury unit.
BAPT registered Play Therapist®
Membership no: 1710