Puffin Play Therapy

24/02/2026

As a play therapist, I hold space for children and families.
But I’m also a mother, a deep feeler, a justice-seeker, a kitchen disco enthusiast.

The way I live shapes the way I work.

✨ I believe in healing.
✨ I believe in connection.
✨ I believe in creativity.
✨ I believe in rest.

If you’re here, it’s wonderful to meet you.

21/02/2026

Autistic burnout needs to be understood so that children and families can be better supported. Jodie is conducting research in this so if anyone of my followers have experienced this and would like to be part of the research get in touch with Jodie….. also follow her for resources and further support or information around wellbeing and Autism.

LAST CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (enquiries closing the morning of 26/6/26)

📣📣📣PhD Announcement 📣📣📣

I am now able to start recruiting for my research. (This opportunity is open to UK people only I’m afraid)

The most important thing is that any child who takes part is a) fully willing and able/has energy capacity and b)a trusted adult has capacity to support the child should they find any aspect of taking part tricky or triggering.

There is a right to withdraw from the research at any point up until a month after they submit their expressions.

The first stage is for parent/carers to enquire and receive the info/give consent and once that’s sorted, I can send the info for the child/young person.

To satisfy ethics, all enquiries and expressions of interest must come via my student email Jodie.clarke@student.shu.ac.uk
I also need to make it clear that participation is about contributing to my research only and ongoing support in my practitioner capacity is not part of this research.

Jodie xx

EDIT- wow, already had a fair few email enquiries. I have ethical clearance for just 10 participants, so I will keep email enquiries open for now, and will respond to you all in the coming week.

08/02/2026

✨ NEW RESOURCE ADDED ✨

I’ve added a new Resources page to my website, created to support creative inspiration and the exploration of feelings.

You can select, download, print, and colour the hearts that resonate with you. Some may spark conversation, hold personal meaning, or open space for metaphor and deeper emotional processing. Others might simply offer a calming, regulating moment through colouring — and that’s just as valuable.

Have a look, try one out, and if you feel like it, I’d love for you to share what you create 💛🎨








www.puffinplaytherapy.co.uk/resources

04/02/2026

A whole month since I began offering Play Therapy from my new space at Lossiemouth Community Development Trust — and it already feels like home.

The play therapy room is warm, welcoming, and cosy, with the gentle soundtrack of waves, seagulls… and the occasional RAF Typhoon flying overhead. Lunchtimes often include a walk on the beach for my own reset — and I truly love it.

Most of all, I’m grateful for the wonderful children, young people, and families I’ve had the privilege of connecting with over the past four weeks. The opportunities for connection that this work brings give me such fulfilment.

I currently have availability on Tuesdays, with potential to open up another day, so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

I’m also exploring ways to broaden my services, so I’d really appreciate it if you could let me know in the poll in the comments the services that might be of value to you. Or suggest any others in the comments.

Becky ☺️🎨

03/02/2026

A bit about me….. through my books

I love to read, I read for many reasons; to learn and develop myself, for escapism and for general interest in a topic. I often have multiple books on the go and read or listen to what takes my fancy in the moment.

So, what am I reading at the moment …

In Love with Supervision by Robin Shonet and Joan Shonet – I am a trainee clinical supervisor and so I am developing my supervision approach and learning so much through this book. Supervision can mean different things to different people depending on your role and experience. I have had strictly case supervision, with lists, actions and targets and I have also had wonderfully expansive creative exploration within supervision supporting me to see elements I had not before, and to find ways to best support my clients. Allowing me to be truly attuned and present with them on their journey. This book is about the relationships we build in supervision and how this is used to support and nurture growth.

Scottish Folk Tales of Sea and Coast – I love a story, I am fascinated by myth and fantasy and so this book of short folk tales is right up my street. I love seeing the themes or archetypes which emerge across mythical tales and also emerge within our own lives which we may only be aware of if we dare to look deep enough. These stories highlight the generational power of storytelling and I visit this book regularly for a fix of a short tale of the areas I am now living in or are on my ‘to visit’ list.

Art Cure: The Science of how the Arts Transform our Health – I’ve just started this book but it is all about the power of Art and Creativity. I don’t need to be convinced on this matter but it is really fascinating to delve into the science of it and see how Creativity is not just a ‘nice to have’ in our lives, it really is essential for our health. This can look different for everyone, it might be painting, movement or physical expression, singing, cooking and baking, storytelling. It’s worth tapping into to see the benefits on our health, even if it’s a tentative step into something scary and new.

The Drums of Autumn – The fourth Outlander Book, this is pure escapism for me, a book to read in quiet moments with a coffee or when winding down in the evening. I’m finding it is beautifully written and that I can be transported to another time and place with vivid imagery of Colonial America in the 18th century. I’m 4 books deep into this series now and so very invested in these characters.

What they Don’t Teach You about Money – This falls into the education section for me. The topic of money is NOT one that is giving me any dopamine peaks… unless someone was to tell me I had won the lottery that is. I enjoy a well-designed spreadsheet, sure …. But I don’t like said spreadsheet when it indicates I can’t have or do something I wanted to. I do however recognise that it is an essential skill and one we can always try to be savvier on, particularly with costs rising.

What are your book recommendations? Escapism, learning or anything else? Please Share.

30/01/2026

Workshop for Early Years Professionals - coming soon. Please contact me by e mail to join the waiting list. puffinplaytherapy@gmail.com

27/01/2026

Create to regulate 🎨

Do you ever drop into a creative zone?
Just drawing, making, playing, creating… not to produce something good or finished, but simply for the process itself.

So many of our memories of art at school are about the product … recreating a style, following an artist, meeting a brief. Creating through someone else’s lens, not our own.
But what if we allowed ourselves to enter a flow state instead? Letting colours choose us. Letting the unconscious lead.

That can feel scary. An inner voice might say “I’m not creative” or “I’m not good at art.”
But what if it didn’t have to be good? What if it just needed to be yours?

This morning felt busy and stressful. I didn’t want my first client to feel the residue of that energy. I noticed stress in my body; tight shoulders, heavy breathing and chose to create to help regulate my nervous system. I didn’t think too much about colour or form; I simply allowed myself to create.

I could analyse the artwork….noticing the colours I’m drawn to, the ones that feel calming. Or I could notice the shift in my body: softer shoulders, steadier breathing, a clearer mind. Either way, I felt more present and ready for my client.

This approach can also support us at home, when we feel disconnected from our children or partner because our sympathetic nervous system is activated by busyness and demands.

Maybe try it. Lean into the process.
Create to connect with yourself, or with someone else.

⭐️ I currently have one play therapy space available on Tuesdays, with potential for additional sessions on another day.
If you’d like to explore Play or Creative Arts Therapy for your child, feel free to get in touch.

20/01/2026

Supporting BIG emotions

It’s so difficult to see our children experiencing big, challenging and uncomfortable emotions that feel overwhelming. As parents it is natural that we feel them too, alongside a sense of responsibility to somehow ‘fix’ it.

This book is a beautiful book (you can see it is well used both in my therapy space and with my own children). This supports children not only with emotional literacy but with a deeper connection through metaphor and physical representations.

This morning in my play room I’ve explored a little in the sand about how my heart feels today. Grateful for a feeling of home, belonging and opportunities for growth.

When supporting our children, therapeutic stories can support in sitting with the uncomfortable, in sharing with opportunities for connection.

I have one more space in Lossiemouth 11:00 on Tuesdays for Play Therapy. get in touch if you would like to explore Play Therapy for your child or would like advice or support to hold your children’s big uncomfortable emotions.

13/01/2026

My new home for Tuesdays and hopefully for more days in time. Lossiemouth Community Development Trust is a registered charity working to make Lossiemouth a better place to live, work and visit. They have community, connection, access and growth at their heart and I am delighted to be able to use this space for Play Therapy. If you are in Moray (and even if you are not!) check out their projects and successes. These include a new play area which is opening in 2026, a beach wheelchair so the beautiful beach is accessible for all, and a huge project to repair and secure the future of West Beach car park.

We are delighted to welcome Becky Blackwell of Puffin Play Therapy to Lossiemouth.

Becky is an accredited Play Therapist and trainee Clinical Supervisor. Puffin Play Therapy is a space where children, families, and professionals can find support, understanding, and hope through play, creativity, and connection.

Becky will be offering clinics from the LCDT back room* every Tuesday.

To find out more about how play therapy can help your child, or to make an appointment, please go to https://www.puffinplaytherapy.co.uk/

*Lossiemouth Community Development Trust is at 8 Pitgaveny St, Lossiemouth IV31 6NS, overlooking Station Park.

13/10/2025

School holidays are for Beach walks, pebble collecting, mandala art and some creative outdoor time with my own children.

We’ve explored all our senses today and benefitted from some gentle mindful grounding in the outdoors.

The sound of the waves 🌊
The satisfying sight of colourful beach huts against the clear sky ☀️
The smell of the sea air
The taste of the salty air on our lips
And exploration through touch of the sand, the textured shells, the smooth pebbles 🐚

The beach is where I go for my own self care and mindful moments.

Where is your happy place for self care?

10/10/2025

Jumping on an AI trend and thinking about my inner child. Being mindful of how we speak to ourselves, our inner child and the vulnerable parts of ourselves is so important. Our inner maidens or squires to think of archetypes. They are youthful, perhaps a little naive, hopeful, creative and full of potential.

What is the default voice towards the inner child? …. Criticism? Nurture? Praise? Unconditional Love?

Is the voice completely accepting of the whole of us? With all our quirks, idiosyncrasies, strengths. Our life journey is nuanced and our relationships complex.

I sometimes wonder why we can be so critical of ourselves, holding ourselves to impossible standards and then treat others with absolute compassion and understanding.

Part of any healing journey is to nurture our inner child. To see this visually feels so powerful. ❤️

From another perspective I reflect on the children who come into my play room. With their vulnerabilities, strengths and potential. I hold endless hope for their potential and this is just one of the reasons I love my job.

09/09/2025

Hello all, it’s been a while and so time to introduce myself again! Here I am in my happy place at the beach. I have loved exploring Scottish beaches since we moved but it’s time I also did some work and got to meet some more amazing children and families. I’m based in Elgin, Moray. I am a play therapist and trainee creative clinical supervisor. I love to get to know new people, I love learning about their strengths, experiences, interests and quirks, everything that makes them uniquely wonderful. I have previously worked as a social worker as well as with Deaf children using British Sigh Language.

I love my job, I love the opportunities it has given me and the people it has brought into my world. If you want to know more about play therapy or clinical supervision then please get in touch. I can offer supervision to play therapists, social workers, teachers and other school staff, other professions if you feel you can benefit from creative exploration of your work or caseload.