Neil Ford

I am currently accepting new referrals and offer flexible appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Please get in touch to discuss your child’s needs and current availability. 

I believe children need to feel safe, accepted and understood before meaningful therapeutic change can take place.  The relationship between therapist and child is therefore at the heart of how I work.

I offer a warm, child-centred and relational approach, giving children time to develop trust and express themselves at their own pace. I do not expect a child to sit and explain what is troubling them or talk about experiences before they are ready.

Instead, I meet children through play.

Play gives children opportunities to communicate, explore experiences and express feelings without depending upon having the words to explain them.  Within the therapy room, they have access to carefully selected play and creative materials and are supported to use the space in the way they need.

I am interested in what lies beneath behaviour.  When a child is anxious, angry, withdrawn or overwhelmed, focusing only on stopping the behaviour can miss what they may be communicating through it.  I seek to understand the individual child, considering their experiences, relationships, strengths and way of understanding the world.

I hold a Diploma in Person-Centred Play Therapy and, where appropriate, draw upon my training in Filial Therapy and my certification as an AutPlay Therapy Provider, including when supporting neurodivergent children and strengthening relationships between children and their parents or carers.

Working with parents and carers is also important.  We can remain in appropriate contact throughout therapy to reflect on progress and consider support outside the therapy room, while respecting the child’s confidentiality and therapeutic space.

Above all, I want children who come to therapy to experience a relationship in which they feel seen, heard and accepted for who they are.

You may know that your child is struggling without being completely sure why.  Perhaps they are becoming anxious or overwhelmed, their behaviour has changed, relationships are becoming difficult, or they simply do not seem quite themselves. You may have tried talking with them but found that they cannot, or do not want to, explain what is happening.

Children do not always communicate distress through words. Sometimes it appears through their behaviour, emotions, relationships or play.  A child’s behaviour can sometimes say what they are not yet able to put into words.

I See You – Play Therapy and Family-Based Therapeutic Services provides specialist therapeutic support for children aged 4–11 and their families.  Play Therapy is at the heart of my work, giving children opportunities to explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences in a way that is natural and developmentally appropriate.

I support children experiencing difficulties including anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional regulation, changes in behaviour, relationships, loss or significant change, trauma and adversity.

I have particular experience of working with adopted and neurodivergent children and their families.  I am also a Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider and have undertaken training in Filial Therapy, allowing me to draw upon approaches that can support emotional regulation, connection and relationships.

My practice is based in Farnworth, Bolton, where I provide a dedicated therapeutic space for children.

If you are wondering whether Play Therapy might help your child, you are welcome to contact me for an initial conversation about what you have been noticing and whether the support I offer feels right for your child and family.

Before Play Therapy begins, I offer an initial consultation with the child’s parent or carer. This gives us an opportunity to talk about what has led you to seek support, what you have been noticing and what you hope might change for your child.

I will invite you to share information that may help me understand your child, including their strengths, important relationships and any experiences or current difficulties you feel are relevant.  There is no expectation that everything needs to be discussed at once, and we can develop this understanding together over time.

The consultation is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and for me to explain how Play Therapy works, including confidentiality, communication with parents and carers, and what you and your child can expect.

Together, we can consider whether Play Therapy feels like an appropriate form of support and agree the next steps.

When your child first comes to the therapy room, the focus is on helping them become familiar with me and the space. They will not be expected to explain why they are attending or talk about particular experiences.  The therapeutic relationship develops gradually, allowing your child time to feel increasingly safe and comfortable.