Logo for 'Innate Play Therapy' featuring a smiling, cartoon-like star with rounded edges, surrounded by the text 'innate' above and 'play therapy' below.

Long before they have
the words,
children have play.

Child's hand moving a small green toy train on a wooden train track with other toy vehicles in the background.

Let’s Play

Play is the natural language of childhood. Play Therapy is an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate and gentle way of supporting children experiencing emotional, social and behavioural challenges. Innate Play Therapy uses a child-centred, non-directive approach, drawing on the therapeutic powers of play and the therapeutic relationship to help children express what can be difficult to put into words, make sense of their experiences and grow their own unique strengths.

Support that starts where your child is and moves at their pace.

Child playing in a sandbox during a Play Therapy session with various sand toys such as shovels, buckets, and molds.

When Words Aren’t Enough

Maybe your child has become withdrawn, anxious or overwhelmed by big emotions. Maybe they’re struggling with friendships, changes at home or school, challenging behaviours, or simply finding things harder than they used to.

Sometimes, something happens; a loss, a big change, a difficult experience and you can see it’s affecting your child, even when they can’t tell you why.

Talking about what’s going on doesn’t always come easily. Not because children don’t want to open up, but because they may not yet be developmentally ready or have the words to express what they’re feeling or make sense of what they’ve experienced.

That’s where play comes in.

Play Therapy gives children another way to communicate, explore their feelings, make sense of their experiences and work through challenges—at their own pace, in a way that feels natural to them.

It looks like play.
It works like therapy.

Play Therapy isn’t simply playing. It is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that recognises play as a natural way for children to communicate, express themselves and make sense of their experiences.

In sessions, I create a safe, accepting environment where children can lead through play. I am alongside them, observing, responding and gently supporting their emotional and social development, while allowing the child to work through challenges at their own pace.

An innate play therapy peach-colored heart with a cute smiling face inside, featuring two dots for eyes and a curved line for a mouth.

Child-Led

Your child leads the way. They choose how they play and set the pace. Nothing is forced, rushed or expected.

Innate Play Therapy Pink outline of a five-petal flower on a black background.

Evidence Based

Play Therapy is more than play. My approach is grounded in established therapeutic frameworks and research.

Innate Play Therapy smiling face inside a round shape resembling a potato or a rounded object, drawn with simple lines and a light green color on a black background.

Accepting

A space where your child can be themself and feel safe, seen and understood.

Innate Play Therapy Smiling cloud character outlined in blue with closed eyes and a happy expression.

Qualified

Skilled support from a qualified therapist. Every session is led by me, a Master’s-qualified Play Therapist.

For the kids doing the playing and the grown-ups who care about them.

Innate Play Therapy works alongside children, parents, carers, educators and other professionals around them. Children’s wellbeing is shaped by their whole world, so I collaborate with the people supporting them to create greater understanding, consistency and connection beyond the therapy room.

Close-up of two hands kneading colorful kinetic sand on a wooden surface, during a Play therapy sessionwith blurred colorful objects in the background.

Getting Started is Simple

Professional Care, Delivered Gently

Honnie Craig - Play Therapist
Master of Child Play Therapy | Bachelor of Education | Registered with APPTA

I’m a Master’s-qualified Play Therapist and mum to two young children, with close to nine years’ experience as a primary school teacher. My experience working alongside children and families has shaped my belief in the importance of connection, understanding and meeting children where they are.

I believe play gives children a unique way to express themselves, make sense of their world and discover their own strengths. My role is to create a safe, accepting and playful space where children can be themselves, feel understood and work through challenges at their own pace.

Outside of work, I volunteer at my local toy library and love reading, being outdoors and of course, playing! I feel incredibly privileged to support children as they develop their self-worth, confidence and belief in their own capabilities through play and connection.

Close-up of a woman, Honnie Craig play therapist, with light skin, brown hair styled in a braid, gray-green eyes, and a warm smile, wearing a brown and white patterned top, against a plain white background.
Logo with a smiling cartoon sun in the center, surrounded by the words "innate play therapy" in a circular arrangement.

Ready to talk?

You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out. If it feels like your child needs support and you're not sure what to do next, that's exactly what this first conversation is for.