Meet the Author

Alyson Thomsen is a former Senior Teacher from Gloucestershire, England, whose career took an unexpected and creative turn when her family relocated first to Denmark and later to the USA for her husband’s work with LEGO® Systems. 

With no previous experience of building with LEGO® bricks, Aly suddenly found herself immersed in a world of colour, imagination and hands‑on play. This sparked a deep curiosity about how construction and creativity could support children’s learning, later strengthened through her training as a LEGO® Education Certified Trainer in London.

When Aly returned to the UK, her enthusiasm for playful, creative learning led her to establish her own educational consultancy, Bricks2Learn. She began taking her construction‑based ideas into schools, developing engaging curriculum projects that quickly captured children’s interest. 

As her work expanded, Aly noticed a growing number of children who were struggling socially and emotionally within the school environment. This realisation prompted her to deepen her skills in therapeutic play and emotional literacy, and ultimately led to the creation and development of Thera‑Build® with LEGO® 

Today, Aly works with families, schools, charities and Trusts across the UK, delivering commissioned projects, 1:1 and small‑group Thera‑Build® interventions, and training for parents, carers and professionals.   She also leads a growing team of Licensed Practitioners who help bring the Thera‑Build® approach to children nationwide.

Aly's work continues to evolve.  The second edition of Thera‑Build® with LEGO® is currently in development, offering updated guidance, new case material and expanded applications across education, community and healthcare settings, including hospitals, where Thera-Build® is now making a meaningful impact.

Her approach also features in the new and fully updated second edition of Creative Psychotherapy: Neurobiologically Informed Play and Expressive Arts‑Based Therapies, edited by Eileen Prendiville and Justine Howard, reflecting Thera‑Build®’s growing recognition within the wider therapeutic field.