Play & Fly - Play Therapy

09/05/2026

Reminder for SATs Week 📝

As we head into SATs week, let’s take a collective deep breath. It’s easy for children (and parents!) to feel the pressure of these exams, but here is the play therapy perspective:
SATs are designed to measure school performance and teaching metrics, not the soul, spirit, or potential of your child.
A test cannot measure:
How creative they are
How kind they are to their friends
The way they light up when they talk about their hobbies
Their emotional intelligence and resilience

To the children:
You are already enough.
These papers are just a moment in time, but your sparkle is forever.

To the parents: Your job this week isn't to help them "pass" it's to help them feel safe, loved, and regulated.
Lots of play, early nights, and reminders that no matter what happens on that paper, they are amazing.
Good luck to all the Year 2s and Year 6s! You’ve got this.❤️

12/04/2026

Love this from Lisa Dion, Synergetic Play Therapy.
Remembering, to be kind to ourselves and know we are not perfect but care. ❤️

The Invitation: Aim for Human, Not Perfect 💜 There’s something I’ve noticed over the years about therapists…

We hold the bar really, really high for ourselves.
🔹 We pressure ourselves to know it all.
🔹 We expect ourselves to always do it right.
🔹 We carry the weight of showing up in a particular way—flawless, steady, in control.

But here’s the reality—we’re human.

And life happens.

Some days, we’re more tender. More raw. More exhausted. Our inner critic speaks a little louder. Our self-doubt sneaks in a little more.

And on those days, that impossible bar we set for ourselves becomes even heavier.

Can We Give Ourselves Permission to Be Human?

What if, instead of holding ourselves to an unachievable standard, we lowered the bar—not in a way that dismisses our accountability, but in a way that honors our humanness?

🌿 What if it’s okay to show up with a little less energy?
🌿 What if it’s okay to not have all the answers?
🌿 What if it’s okay to be fully ourselves, as we are, in any given moment?

Modeling Self-Compassion for Our Clients

Here’s the other beautiful truth—our clients struggle with this, too.

They also set impossible standards for themselves. They also believe they have to be more, do more, or know more in order to be “enough.”

And when they sit across from a therapist who is allowing themselves to be fully human—not performing perfection, but embracing their own imperfections—it gives them permission to do the same.

✨ Our willingness to be real teaches them that real is enough. ✨

The Invitation: Let’s Aim for Human, Not Perfect

So next time you hear yourself thinking, I should be more like this… I should know more… I should do this better…—pause.

💡 Can you weave in a little more grace?
💡 Can you soften the expectation just a little?
💡 Can you give yourself permission to show up as you are, rather than who you think you should be?

Because in the end, perfection isn’t what connects us.

Our humanness is.

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

I got over 10 reactions on one of my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

03/02/2026

Happy Play Therapy Week! 🧸✨
From February 1st–7th, we’re celebrating the fact that for children, play is their work and toys are their words.
Play therapy provides a safe space for children to express what they might not have the vocabulary for yet. Whether it’s through puppets, sand trays, or art, play helps bridge the gap between big feelings and healing.
Join us this week in honoring the incredible Play Therapy UK (PTUK) professionals and the power of play to help our littlest ones find their voices! 🎨🧩
Here if anyone needs advice or support

31/12/2025

As we step into a new year, I just want to remind you that you don’t have to do it alone. Whether your child is struggling, your family feels overwhelmed, or you’re simply looking for support, I’m here to help. Wishing you a year filled with growth, healing, and moments of hope.

13/10/2025

“The sandtray becomes a safe world — where what is hidden finds its way into the light.”
— Inspired by Dora M. Kalff

❤️

13/10/2025

🌿 A gentle space for children to grow through play 🌿

In my play therapy practice, I’ve seen how play can open doors words sometimes can’t. Through play, children find their voice, process big feelings, and begin to heal in their own unique way. 💛

My goal is to create a safe, caring space where kids can just be themselves — exploring, expressing, and discovering their inner strength at their own pace.

If you’ve noticed your child struggling with emotions, anxiety, or changes at home or school, play therapy might be a beautiful way to help them feel understood and supported.

You’re always welcome to reach out — I’m happy to chat about how play therapy works and how it might help your child. 🌈

30/09/2025

✨Today I was surprised with a thoughtful gift from one of my play therapy clients. Moments like this remind me how meaningful the therapeutic journey can be-not just for the children and families, but for me as well 💙
I’m so grateful for the trust parents and children place in me. Every session is a privilege, and little gestures like this make the work even more special 🌈

09/07/2025

Love this quote from Synergetic Playtherapy. I was fortunate to meet and train face to face with Lisa Dion.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiP09jjybCOAxUuXUEAHWU7IlsQFnoECB8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1qRC6kRRg5PuAyRJH550iZ

06/07/2025

Thank you for such lovely words Thriving Young Minds! 🤗

It’s great to work alongside other professionals that share a passion for supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing 🙌

Play Therapy and Young People's Counselling Collaboration 💕

A few months ago, we decided to restructure our service so that Annette, one of our Play Therapists at the time, took over the management of the Play Therapy strand under the name Play and Fly 🦋

Annette is amazing at what she does; she has so much experience in many aspects of child development and mental health, including social care, safeguarding and education. It's an absolute joy to hear the children she works with running down the corridor on their way to the Play Therapy room or going back to their parents.

We still work closely together, whether it's sharing knowledge, working with families with children of different ages, discussing ideas, supporting each other's business etc.

If your child is experiencing any difficulties, please get in touch with Annette, the feedback is 👌🙌👏 Have a look in the comments for more info.