Pamela Dale-Rourke

Play Therapy and Filial Therapy for children and families in Preston, Lancashire and the surrounding areas. I work with children experiencing anxiety, trauma, loss, bereavement, behavioural difficulties, school worries, and the effects of difficult life experiences.

Sessions are available in-person in Preston, within your child's school (subject to consent), online, and with flexible evening appointments. I offer a free initial video consultation — please get in touch to find out how I can help your child and family.

You know your child better than anyone. But sometimes, despite everything you try, things remain difficult. I’m Pamela, a qualified Play Therapist supporting children and parents across Lancashire, including in schools. Through play therapy, I offer tools to help you see what is happening differently, and find a way forward together.

Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling or why things have become difficult. Play can give them another way to communicate, explore and make sense of their experiences. My role is not to tell you what is wrong with your child, but to help you understand what might be underneath what you are seeing.

I work closely with parents because you are at the heart of your child’s world. Sometimes what is needed is a different way of seeing what is happening, understanding your child’s needs, and responding in a way that strengthens connection and helps them feel safe.

I support children experiencing anxiety, emotional and behavioural difficulties, trauma, bereavement, loss and other challenging life experiences. I offer Play Therapy in schools and through private practice across Lancashire, adapting the work to each child and family.

My background in Psychology, together with specialist training in Play Therapy, Filial Therapy and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, informs my work. I draw on attachment, child development and neuroscience to help children and the adults around them understand what is happening and find a way forward.

I believe children deserve to be understood, not simply managed, and parents deserve to feel supported rather than judged. Sometimes you do not need someone to give you all the answers. You need someone who can help you see your child, and what is happening between you, from a different perspective.

Taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting. I offer a free, no-obligation video consultation so we can meet, talk through your concerns, and decide together whether I'm the right fit for your child and family.

I offer:

Individual Play Therapy for children

Filial Therapy — working with parents and children together

Parent consultations and psychoeducational support

School-based sessions (subject to parental consent and school agreement)

Online therapy and evening appointments

Sessions take place in a calm, welcoming and confidential space. I work with honesty and warmth, at a pace that feels right for your child.

I see therapy as a collaborative process. Together, we'll build an understanding of what's happening beneath your child's behaviour or difficulties, identify strengths, and agree a plan to support positive, lasting change.

I am committed to ongoing supervision, professional development and reflective practice to ensure the support I offer remains ethical, thoughtful and effective.

I offer a free, no-obligation video consultation — a relaxed opportunity for us to meet, for you to share what's happening, and for us to think together about whether I'm the right therapist for your child and family. There is no pressure and no commitment required.

If we decide to move forward, our first full session will be an initial assessment. This gives me a deeper understanding of your child's experiences, your family relationships, your concerns and your hopes for therapy. Together we'll agree how we move forward in a way that feels right for you.

My priority is always that therapy feels safe, collaborative and completely tailored to your child and family.

Ready to take the next step? Use the contact button to send me a message or visit my website at heartcentredplaytherapy.co.uk — I'd love to hear from you