Nurture Play Therapy

06/01/2026

Play therapy helps ease school anxiety by providing children with a safe, natural way to express worries they can’t yet put into words. Through play, children build coping skills, confidence, and emotional resilience—so school feels less scary and more manageable, one small step at a time. 🌱

School anxiety does not appear out of nowhere.

It’s often a response to something that feels too much — too noisy, too overwhelming, too pressured, too uncertain.

By recognising the issues underneath the anxiety — not just the behaviour on the surface — we can offer the right support early, before a young person begins to struggle with non-attendance.

Every feeling is a message. Let’s listen before it becomes a crisis.

31/12/2025

✨ Happy New Year from Nurture Play Therapy!

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to my wonderful clients and their families. Since opening my studio in early November, it has been a privilege to walk alongside you, share in children’s growth, and be part of so many meaningful moments.

I am truly grateful for your trust, commitment, and partnership and I am looking forward to continuing to support your family’s journey with care, connection, and compassion in the year ahead.

Wishing you a New Year filled with hope, joy, and new possibilities 💛

24/12/2025

This little handmade gift from one of my clients really touched my heart 🎄🖍️
It’s such a privilege to be invited into children’s worlds—to sit with them in play, creativity, and trust.
Thank you to all the parents m and carers who allow me the honor of supporting your children. Your trust does not go unnoticed, and I’m deeply grateful to walk alongside your families, even for a small part of the journey.
Wishing you all a Christmas filled with warmth, rest, and connection 🤍✨

27/11/2025

I’m so happy to share that I’ve passed my Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level One course and I am continuing to grow my practice in play therapy.
These approaches strengthen connection, safety, trust, and expression between parents and children — especially those who’ve experienced early challenges.

Excited to bring this deeper understanding into my work with families. 💛🌈

20/11/2025

🌼 Nurture Play Therapy helps children express big feelings through the power of play.

Safe space. Child centred support. Real growth.

📩 If you feel your child could benefit from play therapy contact t me today to discuss their needs.

17/11/2025

What Is Sand Tray Therapy? ✨

In Sand Play Therapy, children use a tray of sand and miniatures toys to build scenes and stories that reflect how they feel inside. 🌈

Sand provides a deep sensory and grounding experience. It is a gentle, creative way for children to express big emotions — even when words are hard to find. 💛

I provide a safe, supportive space where play helps children explore, process, and heal.

15/11/2025

🥁 Drumming in Play Therapy 🥁
�In play therapy, children and therapists can “chat” through drums — taking turns making rhythms and responding to each other. 💬🪘

This simple activity helps children learn to:
🌟 Listen and wait for their turn
🌟 Build patience and self-control
🌟 Practice the back-and-forth of real conversations

Drumming also gives children a safe way to release energy, express big feelings, and explore emotions — especially when words are hard to find. 💛

12/11/2025

✨ Have you been thinking about play therapy sessions to support your child?

10/11/2025

🌿 Exciting News! My New Website Is Live! 🌿

I’m so happy to share that the Nurture Play Therapy website is now up and running! 🎉

You can now find out more about how play therapy can support your child’s emotional wellbeing, what happens in sessions, and how I work with children to help them feel safe, understood, and empowered through play. 💛

👉 Take a look here:

https://www.nurtureplaytherapy.co.uk

I currently have limited availability for new clients, so if you feel play therapy could help your child, please get in touch — contact me using the contact button on my website, email, Facebook message or call so we can discuss your child’s needs and how I can support your family.

✨ Nurture Play Therapy — where every child’s story finds healing through play.

I’m Jessica Oliyide, a Certified Play Therapist based in Buntingford, Hertfordshire. I support children who are finding life a little tough — whether they’re feeling anxious, struggling with emotional regulation, lacking confidence or finding it difficult to process a traumatic experience I am...

05/11/2025

✨ Magic in the Forest ✨

On a recent trip to visit friends in Hampshire, we took our children on a beautiful autumn walk through the woods. Every few minutes an excited squeal from the children as they discovered one of the beautiful stones hidden by .

One stone showed this stunning mandala — a Jungian symbol of unity, self, and connection with the universe. 🌍

Mandalas often appear during play therapy sessions - in children’s art or symbolic play; offering a glimpse into their inner world and sense of self.

This special stone has found a home in my studio, where children now use it in the sand tray as part of their creative and healing play. 💛

04/11/2025

Yesterday, I visited the Every Pair Tells a Story silent protest at County Hall in Hertford.

Each pair of shoes in these photos represents the powerful story of a local child with special educational needs. Every one of these children deserves to have their story heard — and their needs met.
Access to education should never be something parents and carers have to fight for. Every child has the right to learn in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where they can truly thrive.

As many of you know, I care for the most amazing little one with special educational needs. After months of emails, meetings, EHCP rewrites, and the support of some truly wonderful professionals, I’m happy to say that he is now thriving in specialist provision.
Too many parents who reach out to me are still battling through the realities of our broken SEND system, and my heart aches for them and their children. I will continue to advocate for all our children — and to walk beside their parents with compassion, understanding, and solidarity

17/10/2025

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out this week with enquiries about play therapy sessions for their children. 💛

The response has been truly overwhelming, and I feel both grateful and honoured to support such important work with these incredible young people.

Sessions officially begin in my studio on Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to welcoming children into the space and supporting them as they take the first steps on their healing journey.