My Play Therapy Journey
A Reflection from
Juliet Agyeman,
POP Play Therapist
“Children communicate, process, and heal through their natural language: play.”
My journey began in nursery and primary school, where I volunteered with a simple desire, to understand children better. What began as curiosity gradually revealed itself as something deeper. I came to realise that I do not see this work as just a job, but as a calling, approached with care, presence and purpose, never rushed, allowing children and families to be truly seen, heard and empowered.
Through Early Years professional training, I grew in confidence and understanding, learning about child development, attachment, and the importance of building safe, trusting relationships with babies and young children. Very early on, I came to understand that connection is foundational. It is within connection that children feel seen, regulated, and open to growth. Through engaging in open-ended heuristic play where babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers freely explore and experiment with everyday objects and tools, I have seen firsthand the empowering nature of play and how meaningful connections are naturally established which has made my play therapy work complete.
Beyond The Playroom
I have experience supporting children and families in children centres, educating parents, especially those new to the country and supervising contact for looked-after children. I also provide one-to-one mentoring for individuals thereby building confidence in their daily lives. As a parent of young adults, I have gained deeper understanding and empathy of both parents’ perspectives and the evolving needs of young people. These experiences inspire my approach to play therapy, creating safe, nurturing, and empowering spaces for growth.
Alongside this, I served within children’s ministry and family life ministry in Church, supporting children and walking alongside parents. I also worked with married couples through relationship-building work, seminars, and family getaways. This was a ministry I was deeply passionate about and experienced not simply as work, but as a calling, ensuring families felt held, supported, and strengthened through meaningful connection.
My reflection
As I continued working with children with diverse needs, my curiosity deepened particularly for children with additional, special educational or complex needs and those presenting with extreme or challenging behaviours. I began to recognise something essential: before learning can take place; academically, emotionally, or spiritually, children need to feel safe, regulated, and emotionally settled within a trusting relationship.
In one-to-one work, I witnessed the power of consistent, attuned adult-child connections. When children felt emotionally held, they began to regulate within healthy limits, feel contained, and engage more freely. Colleagues noticed the shift, behaviours softened, motivation grew, and children began to show up differently.
Over time, I became aware that the structured systems I worked within were not always able to meet the deeper emotional needs of the children and families I longed to support. I never felt fulfilled leaving a child behind. I carried them with me, reflecting, reading, and continually searching for ways to support both the child and the family more fully. This reinforced my sense that my work is not simply a role, but a calling I hold with care and intention.
When I now meet parents in pre-therapy conversations, it feels like a continuation of what I have always done, walking alongside families with care, intention, and hope. I believe deeply that it is within connection that true, positive relationships are formed, and that healing and growth emerge from feeling understood and emotionally safe.
That journey led me to play therapy, a space where children communicate, process in their own pace, and heal through their natural language: Play.
Final Thoughts and how to connect with juliet
Today, as my training recently completed last June 2026, I offer children and families a therapeutic space where they are held, understood, and supported with care, integrity, and grace.
Currently, Juliet is working in the following locations: Aylesbury Vineyard, Stone CoE School, Great Horwood School, and Haddenham Infant School. If you would like to explore play therapy support with Juliet, please book a meeting with us using the link: Free 15-minute Discovery Chat for Parents/Carers