Refocus child and family therapy

30/01/2026

25/01/2026

21/01/2026

Masking takes energy — the constant effort to seem ‘fine’ when the emotional brain is anything but.
Over time, that effort shows up as exhaustion, burnout, and shutdown.

When we understand why a child masks, we can start creating the safety they need to take the mask off.

Explore practical ways to support unmasking and emotional safety in Masking, the Toolkit, from The Contented Child via Linktree Store in Bio.

21/01/2026

Proven Ways to Reduce the Damaging Effects of Chronic Stress
https://buff.ly/Ugf7TDN

It’s Monday. Are you already stressed? 😵💫
Stress is a normal part of life. Your brain and body are built to handle short bursts of stress ⚡️ and then return to a baseline of calm. 😌
The problem is when stress becomes chronic. That’s when it can start taking a real toll on:
🧠 Mood + focus
😴 Sleep
💓 Heart health
🛡️ Immune system
🔥 Inflammation
In this blog, I break down what chronic stress does to your brain and body, plus practical ways to lessen the damage and support recovery. 💛

21/01/2026

Self-compassion is key to a happy and fulfilling life. Here are five practical ways to be kind to yourself:

Ask yourself what you need: Acknowledge that your needs are valid.

Validate your pain: Recognize and accept your emotional experience.

Remember you aren’t alone: We all struggle; you’re not isolated in your challenges.

Honor your humanity: Being human means being imperfect.

Treat yourself like you would treat a friend: Be supportive and helpful toward yourself.

Which of these practices resonates with you today? Share your thoughts below!

21/01/2026

There are SO many sub-areas to executive functioning skills! https://www.theottoolbox.com/executive-functioning-skills/

21/01/2026

Our What Is.... Series - today, INTEROCEPTION.

The hidden sense behind emotional regulation.

If a child seems to “go from 0 to 100” with no warning…

If they melt down suddenly…
If they struggle to tell you what’s wrong until they’re already overwhelmed…

There’s often a hidden sense behind it — interoception.

Today’s one-page visual breaks down what interoception is, why it’s so important for emotional regulation, and how you can gently support a young person whose internal signals feel confusing or too loud.

If you’d like the free parent information sheet to go with it, follow the directions in the visual, ensuring you LIKE the post and I’ll send you the Dropbox link. ⬇️

20/01/2026

Legs up the wall is one of my favourite calm-down tools because it’s simple, gentle, and surprisingly powerful.

When a child’s nervous system is stuck in 'go-go-go' mode, this posture helps the body switch into rest-and-reset.

The legs being raised gives calming sensory input, encourages circulation, and can help slow the heart rate and soften tension in the body.

It’s brilliant for:
after school restraint collapse
bedtime anxiety
big feelings that won’t settle
overstimulation and sensory overload
those “I’m tired but I can’t stop” moments

You can invite it as a choice:
“Want to try legs up the wall for 2 minutes while we breathe together?”
No forcing. No perfection. Just a safe body pause.

Save this, print it off and stick somewhere it can be a reminder when needed. To save, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.
If you’d like the girl version, comment GIRL below.

15/01/2026

Love this!

When your child’s behaviour suddenly flips into “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn”… it can feel personal.
Like they’re choosing to be difficult. Like they’re ignoring you on purpose.

But what’s often happening is simpler (and far more human): their brain has sounded the alarm.

When the amygdala thinks there’s danger (real or imagined), it pulls the body into survival mode fast.
Thinking brain goes offline. The body takes over. Big reactions show up because your child is trying to feel safe.

And as a parent, understanding this process matters because it changes the question from:
“What’s wrong with my child?”
to
“What does their brain think it’s protecting them from?”

That shift helps you respond with steadier boundaries, more effective co-regulation, and a lot less shame for everyone.

If you’d like more calm, child-friendly brain science (and what to do in the moment), the Child Brain Explained Toolkit, comment BRAIN in the comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

15/01/2026

Such a good illustration.

Worries can be sneaky. They don’t always shout… sometimes they whisper in the background and quietly grow. And once the worry cycle starts, it can keep feeding itself: “what if?” thoughts → body feelings → overwhelm → a big reaction → then a brief calm… and round it goes again.

Reassurance can help in the moment, but it’s often short-lived. The worry brain wants certainty, and it will keep coming back for “just one more”answer. So instead of only soothing the worry, we also want to build the skills that shrink it — helping children learn how to break worries down and problem-solve.

Try turning it around with curious questions like:
What is the worry trying to warn you about?
Is this a “right now” problem or a “what if” problem?
What part feels biggest in your body?
What’s one small step we could take?
What would help you feel a tiny bit safer?

More support is inside my When Worries Take Over Toolkit, including brainstorming tools — available via Linktree Shop in Bio or comment WORRIES.

15/01/2026

💛 “If you can’t yet do great things, do small things in a great way.” ―Napoleon Hill

This is a reminder that greatness isn’t always loud or instant. Not everyone starts with big opportunities, big platforms, or big wins, and that’s okay. What matters is how we show up in the small moments. The little things we do daily, when done with care, consistency, and pride, slowly build the foundation for something greater. Small actions, done the right way, shape our character and prepare us for bigger responsibilities. Greatness begins where you are, with what you have.

15/01/2026

Love this from To You From Steph 🌱🌧️