Jo Lee

I have some mornings available and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/after school.  I may also be able to offer Saturday mornings, subject to availability. 

Hello, I am Jo and I am a BAPT registered child-centred play therapist.

Play Therapy can support children to process difficult experiences, improve self-esteem and self-confidence, improve relationship skills, increase resilience, and develop emotional vocabulary and facilitate emotional regulation.  

Big feelings can be hard for little people to understand, process and explain. Children may not have the words to describe their thoughts, feelings and perceptions of their internal and external worlds, but as play is a natural medium of expression for children, the toys and play become their form of communication.  

I offer one-to-one play therapy sessions in a safe and playful environment with the relationship at the heart of the therapeutic process. Through a warm, child-centred approach and a nurturing and dynamic alliance, I work alongside children to explore and make sense of experiences, feelings, thoughts and behaviours.  My approach is neuro-affirming and trauma-informed and I see every child as an individual, with their own unique strengths, interests, and way of experiencing the world.

I strongly believe in the value and benefit  of joining and supporting the 'team' around the child and work closely and collaboratively with the family, school and other professionals, as appropriate. 

If you're wondering whether play therapy could help your child, please do send me a message and I can answer any questions about how I work and what I can offer. 

The foundation of my theoretical approach is person-centred and non-directive. My work is informed by attachment theory, neuroscience and systemic and psychodynamic theoretical approaches. 

I use a variety of toys including puppets, sensory toys, sand and creative materials. 

I have a private space in Hurstpierpoint. This is in a tranquil setting with easy and available on-site parking. There is a private and peaceful waiting room, where I encourage the parent to 'take a breath' and have some time for themselves and also experience this as a safe space. 

I am also happy to discuss working with a child in their educational setting or with a child in their home. 

I offer an initial free 15-minute phone or online Teams consultation where I can introduce myself and we can discuss your needs and concerns, and how play therapy may help. 

The first meeting would be with the parent/carer to discuss the referral more fully, potential therapy goals and think deeply about the child together. 

We would then meet together with the child, either prior to the first session, or as part of the first session. This enables the child to also ask questions and I can tell them how the sessions may work,  and also ensures the child has given their assent. 

I then offer 6- weekly review meetings with the parent to all discuss our thoughts and observations, themes that may be emerging and ways that may be helpful to support the child (whilst keeping to the boundaries of confidentiality within my work with the child).