Play to Heal Play Therapy

22/02/2026

This is a fab illustration from Creative Clinical Psychologist adapted from the work of Goulding 2015

It explains why as play therapists we recommend a block of sessions rather than just a few.

The deeper work of healing and processing through play cannot begin until your child feels safe in the playroom and with the play therapist. Only then the therapeutic relationship between the two starts to develop.

Building this sense of safety and trust takes time and how many sessions it takes varies dependent on the child’s experiences and reasons they have come to play therapy.

Every child is different, and this is why the parent consultation prior to play therapy starting is key to understanding what has led up to the point of therapeutic intervention being needed and gives us a full picture of the child’s needs which helps the therapist make an informed recommendation about an initial block of sessions, which will then be reviewed alongside parents as play therapy unfolds.

The goal of play therapy isn’t to rush the process. It’s to support your child in a way that meets their needs. When this time is granted, true healing happens 💜

19/02/2026

FREE WORKSHOP TOMORROW! REGISTER NOW!
We are running a FREE online workshop for parents to to help support their children to understand and manage emotions. We want to help you understand what is going on in your child's brain, how you can help and how you can strengthen the parent child connection. Please register at the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/calm-connected-helping-kids-understand-manage-emotions-tickets-1982495900606

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas to all the wonderful children and families that I have had the pleasure of working with. I hope this season is everything you are wishing for 🎄🎄

Always thinking of your those who find the festive season that little bit more difficult, I hope you manage to find some joy even in what might feel the hardest times 🫶

31/10/2025

🎃 The Therapeutic Magic of Halloween Play 👻

Halloween can be an exciting time for children — full of costumes, imagination, and adventure! From a play therapy perspective, it’s also a great opportunity to see how play helps children explore different versions of themselves and their fears!

When children put on a costume, they’re not just dressing up — they’re trying on different parts of themselves. A quiet child might feel more outgoing or braver as a superhero. Another might choose something spooky to safely explore things that usually feel a bit scary. Dressing up gives children a sense of control and a safe way to express emotions when they don’t know the words.

However, Halloween can also feel overwhelming — loud noises, masks, and dark decorations can be a lot for some children and may induce anxiety for some. It’s okay to slow things down, adapt or make your own traditions to create a Halloween that feels fun and safe for your child.

💫Above all else, take a moment to observe your child’s inner world that at Halloween time they will so gladly show you without much prompting needed — that’s where the real magic happens.

Happy Halloween to everyone celebrating 🎃👻🎆

18/10/2025

We had such a good time on our go with the flow marbling workshop this afternoon learning about our feelings and expressing ourselves creatively and how feelings flow and change. We also spent some time identifying our strengths and the different things that make us uniquely ourselves 🥰💜.

Thank you to everyone who signed their children up. Make sure to keep an eye out on the page for future workshops or you can email me at playtohealplaytherapy@outlook.com to register your interest in future workshops and be the first to know about them.

17/10/2025

This workshop is now fully booked 🥰.

If you want to be the first to know about any future workshops you can register your interest at playtohealplaytherapy@outlook.com or follow my page for updates 🥰.

Thank you all so much 💜

17/10/2025

Due to a last minute cancellation, I have space available for this workshop tomorrow.

Available at subsided rate of £15 per child due to funding.

Focuses on expression of feelings and exploring emotions.

DM or WhatsApp 07849310894 to secure your child’s space 💜

13/10/2025

Last couple spaces remaining. Registration closes midnight on Wednesday so ensure your little one doesn’t miss their space and book before then 💜

https://forms.office.com/r/JCdmg5cKWf

I am running this creative workshop in conjunction with Phoenix Child therapy and support registered charity. All information is on the poster 💜.

Due to funding from FODC we can offer the workshop at the subsided rate of £15 per child. Link below to register 😊. Please get in touch with either me or Phoenix Child Therapy with any questions.

https://forms.office.com/r/JCdmg5cKWf

19/09/2025

Some places still available on this little workshop running 18th October.

⭐️subsidised rate of £15 per child
⭐️Lovely little mindfulness workshop to promote self expression, self esteem and explore emotions
⭐️register at the link below

https://forms.office.com/r/JCdmg5cKWf

I am running this creative workshop in conjunction with Phoenix Child therapy and support registered charity. All information is on the poster 💜.

Due to funding from FODC we can offer the workshop at the subsided rate of £15 per child. Link below to register 😊. Please get in touch with either me or Phoenix Child Therapy with any questions.

https://forms.office.com/r/JCdmg5cKWf

12/09/2025

I am running this creative workshop in conjunction with Phoenix Child therapy and support registered charity. All information is on the poster 💜.

Due to funding from FODC we can offer the workshop at the subsided rate of £15 per child. Link below to register 😊. Please get in touch with either me or Phoenix Child Therapy with any questions.

https://forms.office.com/r/JCdmg5cKWf

20/08/2025

Some common misconceptions about play therapy. If you’d like to know more and are interested in whether your little one could benefit, drop me a message 😊. I have limited spaces available for September 💜

23/07/2025

Like so many others, I’ve been deeply affected by the heartbreaking events that have unfolded in our little county today. My thoughts are with the family affected and with everyone who knew and loved them. I’m also thinking of the wider community who will feel this loss in many different ways.

Children in particular may struggle to process something like this. They might not have the words, but they feel the shifts around them—changes in energy, routines, picking up on the difficult feelings of adults around them (understandly so as we all try to process this tragedy) etc. If your little one has questions or displays heightened emotions and/or anxiety

💜Reassure them they’re safe.
💜Be as truthful as age and developmentally appropriate
💜Let them know it’s okay to feel upset, confused, or not ready to talk.

If your child is struggling with big feelings, or if you just need a little guidance on how to help them cope, please know that kind and compassionate support is available:
• Child Bereavement UK – 0800 028 8840 | childbereavementuk.org
• Cruse Bereavement Support – 0808 808 1677 | cruse.org.uk
• Bereaved NI – bereaved.hscni.net (local grief resources for families)

Please take gentle care of yourselves and your little ones and hug them a little tighter tonight 💜