About Koala Tree

My name is Lily Wake and I am an accredited Play Therapist and Clinical Supervisor (trainee), registered with Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and APAC.

I hold a Master’s degree in Practice-Based Play Therapy, for which I was awarded a Dean’s Award in recognition of academic and clinical excellence. Alongside this, I have postgraduate qualifications in therapeutic play and specialist training in approaches including AutPlay® and TraumaPlay®.

I am also a PTUK Ambassador for the 2026–2027 membership year, contributing to the wider play therapy community and supporting the development of the profession.

My practice is grounded in child-centred play therapy and informed by over 30 years of experience working with children and families.

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🌺 Professional Experience

Over the past three decades, I have worked across a wide range of child-centred settings, including residential care, special educational needs provision, schools, and therapeutic services.

This breadth of experience has given me a deep and practical understanding of children’s emotional, developmental, and relational needs.

I have particular experience supporting children with additional needs, including autism and PDA, and I am passionate about ensuring that therapy is accessible, respectful, and tailored to each child.

🌺 Integrative Approach

At Koala Tree, I offer a bespoke, integrative therapeutic service, grounded in my core training in child-centred play therapy.

I draw from a range of additional models and approaches, including Therapeutic Life Story Work, allowing me to adapt therapy to meet each child’s individual needs rather than working within a fixed framework.

I work with children and families from a wide range of backgrounds, abilities, and experiences, creating a space where each child feels seen, accepted, and supported.

🌺 Personal Journey

Alongside my professional training, my personal experience as a parent has deeply shaped my work.

Raising three sons has brought immense joy, but also challenges that at times left us searching for support that was not readily available. These experiences strengthened my commitment to offering children and families the kind of understanding, compassion, and developmentally appropriate support that I know can make such a difference.

🐨🌺 Why Koala Tree?

You might be wondering about the name.

I was born in Germany, raised in Australia, and have lived in the UK for many years. When I first created Koala Tree, Australia was experiencing devastating bushfires, and the impact on wildlife — particularly koalas — was deeply felt.

The name Koala Tree became a way of holding that connection to home, while also symbolising something important within my work.

Koalas represent gentleness, safety, and secure connection — all of which sit at the heart of therapeutic work with children 🌺🐨