Mandala Play Therapy at Mandala Therapies

04/04/2026

Returning to my Gaelic roots ; Beannachtaí na Cásca oraibh - wishing you all blessings on this Easter morning and sharing the words of one of my favourite Irish poets, John O'Donohue with you.

04/04/2026

02/04/2026

There is no denying that we are living in "crazy times" - uncertainty, fear, stress...
this Easter long weekend we hope you can connect with loved ones and disconnect from social media and take the long weekend to fill your cup, get into nature, play with your kids and of course have an Easter egg hunt. Happy Easter from Mandala Play Therapy 😍.

01/04/2026

Think of your nervous system as the body’s command centre and high-speed communication network. It is vital because it controls literally everything you do, whether you're thinking about it or not. What do you know about your nervous system?
The nervous system plays a role in nearly every aspect of our health and well-being. It guides everyday activities such as waking up; automatic activities such as breathing; and complex processes such as thinking, reading, remembering, and feeling emotions.
The nervous system controls:
Brain growth and development
Sensations (such as touch or hearing)
Perception (the mental process of interpreting sensory information)
Thought and emotions
Learning and memory
Movement, balance, and coordination
Sleep
Healing and rehabilitation
Stress and the body’s responses to stress
Aging
Breathing and heartbeat
Body temperature
Hunger, thirst, and digestion
Puberty, reproductive health, and fertility

01/04/2026

Our Veggie garden (a new addition to our outdoor sensory space) is loving the gentle rain today 🌦️. Time spent in our outdoor therapeutic sensory garden is essential for many of our kiddos.... now with a veggie garden they will be able to explore & experience the process of "harvesting" ( think 💭 patience, nurturing, anticipation, satisfaction, wonder and curiosity).Daneel will be busy in the holiday break organising some new veggie garden spaces 🫛🫜

30/03/2026

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s incredible ability to change, adapt and reorganise itself in response to experience. This means that children’s brains are not fixed. They are constantly growing and reshaping, especially through relationships and play.

For children who have experienced trauma, stress or disrupted early relationships, their brains may have adapted for survival. This can show up as hypervigilance, emotional overwhelm or difficulty trusting others.

But the hopeful news is this. The brain can change.

In Play Therapy, we work directly with neuroplasticity by offering consistent, attuned and safe relational experiences. Over time, these experiences help to build new neural pathways that support regulation, connection and resilience.

Repetition of safe relational experiences strengthens new neural pathways. Co regulation supports the development of self regulation. Symbolic play allows children to process and reorganise difficult experiences. A consistent therapeutic relationship helps reshape internal working models. Sensory and embodied play of felt safety.

Every moment of connection matters. Every playful interaction is building the brain. Through play, children are not just expressing themselves; they are rewiring their brains.

29/03/2026

At Mandala Play Therapy at Mandala Therapies we advocate for the voice and rights of the child.

27/03/2026

Congratulations Kaz at Selkie Knots port Campbell we loved seeing your sculpture at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Something special about sculptures in nature

27/03/2026

Daneel is often taking about how Play therapy and neuroplasticity are deeply interconnected. How play therapy can rewire the brain. But what is neuroplasticity you ask👇
We love that play therapy harnesses neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections—to help children heal from trauma, manage emotions, and build new cognitive and behavioral patterns.

26/03/2026

26/03/2026

We don't advocate homework for foundation students! But, did you know that playing with play dough - squeezing, rolling, pressing, cutting , pinching , shaping and creating play dough people supports handwriting...
BECAUSE = it helps children develop dexterity, strengthens intrinsic muscle development, activates " pencil grip /pincer grasp", improves fine motor control, builds hand eye coordination , encourages bilateral coordination and finger isolation for example, and is of course fun, sensory, creative and industrious.