The Purple Butterfly Healing Centre

04/14/2026

04/14/2026

Raising children who won’t have to recover from their childhood isn’t about being a perfect parent in the way most people think. It’s not about never getting it wrong or always staying calm.

It’s about becoming more aware of how we show up, especially in the everyday moments that don’t seem like a big deal but actually are.

It’s in how we respond when they’re overwhelmed, how we guide instead of shame, whether we take the time to help them understand what happened instead of just correcting the behavior. Those interactions are what shape how safe a child feels, not just in their environment, but in their own body.

From a brain and nervous system perspective, this matters more than most people realize…

When a child feels safe, their nervous system stays regulated. That allows the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, impulse control, emotional regulation, and learning, to stay online. This is what makes it possible for them to process what we’re saying, reflect, and actually build skills over time.

But when a child feels threatened, whether through fear, shame, or disconnection, the brain shifts into a stress response. The amygdala activates, the body prepares for protection, and the prefrontal cortex becomes less accessible. In that state, the goal isn’t learning, it’s survival. So even if a child “stops” a behavior in the moment, it doesn’t mean they understood it or learned from it.

This is why connection, patience, and guidance are not just “gentle” approaches. They are what support healthy brain development and long-term emotional regulation.

For many of us, this requires unlearning. We were taught to prioritize obedience, to correct quickly, to push through emotions, or to dismiss them altogether. So doing it differently can feel uncomfortable at first, especially in the moments when we’re triggered.

But this isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. It’s about repair when we get it wrong, about coming back to connection, and about creating an environment where our children don’t have to question their worth in order to learn.

Over time, these repeated experiences shape how a child sees themselves, how they handle stress, and how they relate to others.

And that’s what we’re really doing here. 💕 We’re raising humans who feel safe, seen, and secure in who they are.

04/12/2026

Happy birthday Garry!!

We want to wish the happiest birthday to our Founder & Director Emeritus, Dr. Garry Landreth! 🎉🎂 We are thankful for the difference you continue to make in the lives of children and caregivers. We hope your day is as special as you are to us!💚💚

04/11/2026

❤️

04/06/2026

Canadian CAPT - Canadian Association for Play Therapy will be hosting Paris Goodyear Brown for this year's symposium on May 25 from 12:30-2:30 EST. See the link below to join :)

Paris Goodyear-Brown, LCSW, RPT-S, is the creator of the TraumaPlay™ model, the founder and Clinical Director of Nurture House, and the Executive Director of the TraumaPlay™ Institute.

04/05/2026

04/04/2026

Such a great turnout for the Easter event today despite the rainy weather!