Safe Spaces with Sam

Safe Spaces with Sam Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Safe Spaces with Sam, Health & Wellness Website, Crawley.

Safe Spaces with Sam offers 1:1 therapeutic coaching and small group sessions for children, adolescents and their parents in key aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

🦋🌞Some declarative language help 🌞🦋Anyone who has or works with children will find this helpful but particularly if they...
23/03/2026

🦋🌞Some declarative language help 🌞🦋

Anyone who has or works with children will find this helpful but particularly if they have a PDA profile.

It's about reframing demands to give the child more autonomy and choice. When you use declarative language, you are modeling a thought process and it helps:

Reduces Defensiveness: It doesn't trigger the "fight or flight" response that a direct order might.

Develops Executive Function: The child has to process the information ("My feet are bare") and decide on the action ("I should put on shoes").

Builds Connection: It feels like you are observing the world together rather than standing over them.

So here are some practical examples to practice:

Imperative: "Put your shoes on right now."

Declarative: "I notice your feet are still bare, and we’re leaving in five minutes."

Imperative: "Go brush your teeth."

Declarative: "I’m wondering if your teeth feel fuzzy like mine do this morning."

Imperative: "Clean up these Legos."

Declarative: "I see a few stray Legos on the floor that might get stepped on."

Imperative: "Use your napkin."

Declarative: "I see some sauce on your chin."

Imperative: "Say thank you to Grandma."

Declarative: "I bet Grandma felt really happy when she saw you liked her gift."

Imperative: "Stop chewing with your mouth open."

Declarative: "I’m having a hard time focusing on our story because I can hear your food."

Imperative: "Don't cry, it’s not a big deal."

Declarative: "It looks like you're feeling frustrated because that tower kept falling over."

Imperative: "Fix your mistake."

Declarative: "I noticed the water spilled when the cup tipped."

Imperative: "Think about what you did."

Declarative: "I’m curious what we could do differently next time so nobody gets hurt."

If you can start your sentences with phrases like: "I notice...", "I'm wondering...", "I see...", or "I'm curious..." It takes practice to get this method right, but I can promise you it makes for a much less stressful household or classroom if you can get it right.

For more information about 1:1 coaching, drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

🦋🌞There'll always be a 'thing'🌞🦋It struck me this week in a conversation with my husband about our kids behaviour, that ...
21/03/2026

🦋🌞There'll always be a 'thing'🌞🦋

It struck me this week in a conversation with my husband about our kids behaviour, that it's easy to dismiss it with "it's because they're tired, overwhelmed, it's been back to school, it's their birthday, it was a busy week, it's Halloween, it's Christmas" - you get the idea!

What I'm saying is there seems to forever be an explanation/excuse for our children's dysregulation and subsequent poor behaviour and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Therefore it's vital our children learn the skills to be resilient and recognise when they're becoming dysregulated and have the strategies to cope with it and regulate again.

Coaching does exactly this and I'm very proud to say that our eldest is getting very good at doing this for herself, not all the time of course, but this is when we can step in and help.

As a parent it's also vital we foresee the tricky situations if we can and put things in place to aid the regulation. This is where parent coaching can help.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

🦋🌞Can I come back for a one off session?🌞🦋Initially I recommend booking a block of 4-6 sessions to enable continuity and...
20/03/2026

🦋🌞Can I come back for a one off session?🌞🦋

Initially I recommend booking a block of 4-6 sessions to enable continuity and enough time to make lasting changes.

However after this has been completed you are always welcome back anytime for a one off session, or more of course. As things come up for you or your child, as they inevitably will, you may feel you need a 'top up' session.

As an example I recently welcomed back a superstar who is approaching school transition time, now they've found out their school, and wanted to chat through their anxieties. It was lovely to see them again and tackle the next step in their life together.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me an email to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

🦋🌞Very proud coach post🌞🦋It absolutely made my week yesterday evening to receive an extremely positive email with an upd...
20/03/2026

🦋🌞Very proud coach post🌞🦋

It absolutely made my week yesterday evening to receive an extremely positive email with an update about one of my superstars who has been struggling to get to school.

We made an ambitious back to school plan together in our last session, which I'm pleased and proud to say their supportive school agreed to and as a result she is absolutely smashing her plan and is managing to get into school more and more- I'm so proud of you and can't wait to see you in person soon to congratulate you!

🦋🌞 Parent Feedback 🌞🦋It's always lovely to hear that sessions have been well received and in this case, really great to ...
19/03/2026

🦋🌞 Parent Feedback 🌞🦋

It's always lovely to hear that sessions have been well received and in this case, really great to see my superstar was left feeling excited to try out the regulation strategies that we built during our session.

Having a parent or carer in the session isn't essential, but I often find they get just as much out of a session as their child and that's exactly what happened in this case!

For more information about 1:1 coaching for your child or teen drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

🦋🌞Why Creative Coaching Works 🦋🌞As a therapeutic coach, I often get asked: "Why use crafts and toys?" The answer is simp...
19/03/2026

🦋🌞Why Creative Coaching Works 🦋🌞

As a therapeutic coach, I often get asked: "Why use crafts and toys?" The answer is simple- Regulation.

Working with tactile materials like pipe cleaners, air dry clay, and markers helps:

*Lower cortisol levels through sensory engagement.

*Externalise problems, making them easier to manage.

*Build a bridge of trust between me and my superstar.

I’m dedicated to providing a space where my superstars can develop lifelong coping strategies in a way that feels natural to them.

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

🦋🌞Why it's important to double down on self care when things are tough 🌞🦋We’ve all been there, or maybe you are right no...
18/03/2026

🦋🌞Why it's important to double down on self care when things are tough 🌞🦋

We’ve all been there, or maybe you are right now. The to-do list is long, the news is heavy, and your "battery low" notification has been flashing for days.

Usually, when things get tough, self-care is the first thing we cut. We tell ourselves we don't have the time.

But here’s the truth: You cannot pour from an empty cup. When life gets harder, your self-care shouldn't shrink, it should double.

Why "Doubling Down" Matters:

* Boundaries are brave: Saying "no" to a meeting or a social event is saying "yes" to your sanity.

* Micro-wins count: Sometimes self-care is a 20-minute walk; sometimes it’s just remembering to breathe and hydrate.

Your Survival Kit for Tough Weeks:

* Digital Detox: Mute the noise. If it doesn’t bring peace, it doesn't need your energy right now. Mute those parents WhatsApp groups and don't look at everyone's fake perfect lives.

* Early Bedtimes: Sleep is the ultimate reset button.

* Gentle Movement: Shake off the stress, don't just sit in it.

* Radical Grace: Lower your expectations of yourself. You’re doing the best you can with what you have.

🦋🌞Bullying🌞🦋It is absolutely heartbreaking as a parent to see your child upset because another child has been mean to th...
18/03/2026

🦋🌞Bullying🌞🦋

It is absolutely heartbreaking as a parent to see your child upset because another child has been mean to them. It's also really hard to know the right thing to say or do.

Do you tell them to ignore it, toughen up, tell the teacher but fear being called a 'snitch', approach the school yourself or maybe the parent of the other child.

There isn't a right answer unfortunately, but building a child's resilience and self confidence in coaching is a great step. This video was shared with me by a fellow coach and I think it's fantastic.

I will be showing it to all my coaching clients, students in my classes and my own children. It's a nice simple, foolproof method, which can be achieved.

For more information about coaching drop me an email to sam.safespaces@gmail.com and don't forget to check out my website http://safe-spaces.square.site

https://youtu.be/7oKjW1OIjuw?si=26Q6oD46RvrJksAV

🦋🌞Why does it help to write our feelings down? 🌞🦋We often try to "think" our way out of stress, but sometimes the best w...
17/03/2026

🦋🌞Why does it help to write our feelings down? 🌞🦋

We often try to "think" our way out of stress, but sometimes the best way to clear the mental clutter isn't by thinking more—it’s by grabbing a pen. Here is why writing your feelings down is a total game-changer for your mental health, I call it a 'brain dump' and I've been using it as a strategy for my superstars and students for a very long time. So why is it so effective?

1. It Creates Distance
When a thought is in your head, it is you. When it’s on paper, it’s just data. Seeing your fears or frustrations written out helps you realise they are manageable challenges, not an identity.

2. It Shuts Down the Loop
Ever have the same anxious thought on repeat? That’s your brain trying not to forget it. Writing it down signals to your brain: "Got it, it’s saved, we can stop looping now."

3. It Identifies Patterns
Over time, your notes become a map. You’ll start to see exactly what (or who) triggers your stress, allowing you to make proactive changes instead of just reacting to the chaos.

Ready to clear some space? Take 5 minutes tonight to write down three things that weighed on you today and one positive.

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site


Would you like me to create a 7-day journaling prompt list to help you get started?

Address

Crawley

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Safe Spaces with Sam posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Safe Spaces with Sam:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category