Our Team

We're Here When You're Ready:

Not sure where to start? You don't need to have all the answers before getting in touch. Simply tell us a little about yourself or your family, and we'll help you find the right place to begin.

Taking the first step towards therapy can feel overwhelming, and it's completely okay if you're not sure where to begin.

Whether you're looking for support for yourself, your child or your family, we're here to answer your questions and help you explore whether we're the right fit for you. There is no pressure or obligation—just a warm, confidential conversation at a pace that feels comfortable.

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Take your time to write whenever you're ready.

info@thamesvalleytherapy.com

Call Us
If you'd prefer to speak with someone directly

Or simply send us an instant message

Shafinaz: 07728 728951

Laura: 07854 904229

Vera: 07725 718309

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Vera

Meet our dedicated team of Psychotherapists

My name is Vera. I feel incredibly fortunate that my lifelong passion—supporting people, building meaningful connections, and working with curiosity and playfulness—has become my profession.

With a BSc in Educational Psychology and a Teaching Degree (EU), my career began in education before evolving into therapeutic practice. I am a Certified Children and Young People’s Counsellor, and a Creative Arts and Play Therapist accredited by Leeds Beckett University, UK.

As an Integrative Trauma and Attachment‑Informed Therapist, my work is shaped by a rich blend of modalities including Synergetic Play Therapy, Theraplay®, EMDR, RMTi, Somatic Therapy, and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. This integrative approach allows me to offer holistic,

client‑centred support that is individually tailored to each person’s needs. My experience includes supporting individuals through adverse childhood experiences, developmental trauma, PTSD, anxiety, attachment difficulties, loss, separation, and many other life challenges. I am committed to being transparent about my skills, strengths, and limitations, ensuring an honest and grounded therapeutic relationship.

I strongly believe that children thrive when the adults around them feel supported and family environment feels safe. I work collaboratively with parents, carers and professionals to help strengthen relationships, build understanding and create lasting positive change.

As a registered member of PTUK and BACP I adhere to their ethical frameworks. This includes regular clinical supervision, ongoing CPD, and staying current with emerging research to ensure my practice remains safe, effective, and evidence‑informed.

“Sometimes we need someone who believes in us more than we believe in ourselves.” M Batterson.

Clinical Lead

Hello, I’m Shafinaz, Clinic Director and a Certified Play and Creative Arts Therapist(PTUK) supporting children, young people, and families across Berkshire.

I believe every child deserves to feel heard, understood, accepted, and valued. My aim is to provide a safe and nurturing space where children and young people can express themselves, explore their emotions, and develop confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of self. I am passionate about making Play Therapy accessible to children and families who may otherwise struggle to access this support.

My journey into Play Therapy began from a deeply personal place. As a mother, I once found myself searching for support for my own child — feeling unsure of what was happening, but knowing my child needed someone to help them feel happier, safer, and a sense of belonging. Through this experience, I discovered the power of Play Therapy and how transformative it can be for children and families.

This inspired me to train as a Play and Creative Arts Therapist and develop a deeper understanding of how children communicate through play, creativity, and relationships. I feel honoured when a child invites me into their world and trusts me with their experiences.

I have worked with children and young people for over 12 years across school settings, private practice, and specialist therapy settings, including Hands-On Play Therapy, The Power of Play Therapy (POP), and now Thames Valley Therapy Clinic (TVTC). I have supported children, young people, families, and schools with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, developmental, and additional needs.

I am a trauma-informed therapist and provide a compassionate, child-centred approach that recognises each child’s individual story, strengths, and needs. I work from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective, including AutPlay Therapy, supporting autistic children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental differences by valuing who they are and helping them develop the tools and confidence to thrive.

I have experience supporting adopted and fostered children and young people, including attachment-focused work, transitions, identity development, and Life Story Work. I also provide parent support, helping families better understand their child’s emotional world and develop strategies to strengthen relationships and support their child’s wellbeing.

I believe children thrive when the adults around them are supported too. By working collaboratively with parents, carers, and schools, we can create a consistent and nurturing environment where children and young people feel safe, understood, and able to grow.

Witnessing children and young people heal, build resilience, and discover their strengths — while seeing families become more connected — is the greatest reward I receive from my work.

I am a registered member of Play Therapy UK, accredited by The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. I completed my Post graduate studies at Leeds Beckett University, UK.

I hold a current enhanced DBS check, maintain appropriate safeguarding training, and have professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

Shafinaz

Play and Creative Arts Therapist, Clinic Director

Laura

I’m Laura, Clinic Director and Associate Practitioner at Thames Valley Therapy Clinic. I am a qualified Children and Young People Psychotherapist with extensive experience supporting neurodiverse children and young people across educational settings, private practice, and agency environments.

As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client, using creative and child-led therapeutic methods to help children and young people explore their emotions, experiences, and relationships. My work may incorporate a range of creative approaches, including movement, play, arts and crafts, Lego, slime, and clay, allowing therapy to be adapted in a way that feels safe, engaging, and meaningful for each individual.

I believe that building trust and a strong therapeutic relationship is central to effective therapy. Through this relationship, I support children and young people to develop greater self-awareness, build emotional understanding, and access psycho-education that encourages reflection and personal growth.

I also use trauma-informed approaches to help clients safely explore and process difficult experiences, supporting them to reframe past events, develop resilience, and strengthen their sense of self. My aim is to provide a compassionate, supportive space where every child and young person feels understood, valued, and empowered to make positive changes.

Intergrative Psychotherapist, Clinic Director

My name is Georgie, and I am an accredited Play Therapist and Play & Creative Arts Counsellor. I am also an experienced teacher and hold a Masters in Applied Drama. I have spent over 25 years working with young people and adults in schools and community settings, and although this has given me a wide range of experience, I feel I have learned the most through being a parent. Parenting stretches you, teaches you, and asks you to grow in ways you never expect. It invites you to understand another human being deeply while navigating your own challenges at the same time.

In my work, I bring all of this experience together to offer a warm, supportive, and high‑quality service. I am a creative and flexible practitioner with a genuine passion for finding what each child needs and how best to support you as their parent or carer. I have worked with many wonderful children in schools and in private practice, both as an associate play therapist with Hands On Play Therapy and now at Thames Valley Therapy Clinic.

Famiies come to Play Therapy for many different reasons. I have supported children and parents who have experienced domestic violence, separation and divorce, bereavement, hospital trauma, and attachment difficulties. I have worked with children who are adopted or fostered, children who feel anxious, and many others facing a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges.

I trained with The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC), accredited by PTUK and Leeds Beckett University. I am registered with the Play and Creative Arts Therapists Register, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, which ensures ethical practice and accountability. I also hold further qualifications as a Heart to Heart practitioner, an AutPlay practitioner supporting Neurodivergent (Autistic/ADHD) children, and a SMART practitioner (Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment). My practice is enriched by Level One TraumaPlay training and informed by Non‑Violent Resistance principles.

I hold a current DBS and am ICO compliant.