True2You Therapy, Counselling, Creative Arts & Play Therapy

07/09/2025

**🌿 Understanding Our Kids: It’s Not About Choice 🌿**

Sometimes, we think our children are choosing to behave in challenging ways, but often, it’s not a choice at all. Kids don’t always have the skills to manage their big feelings, control impulses, or communicate their needs calmly. 💭

When they act out, it’s usually a signal that they're overwhelmed, frustrated, or simply lack the tools they need to cope. Gentle parenting recognizes that children aren't “choosing” to misbehave — they’re responding in the only ways they know how. 🧠💫

Instead of seeing these moments as defiance, we can view them as opportunities to teach and guide. By modeling patience and compassion, we help them build the skills they need to regulate their emotions and make better choices in the future.

So, the next time behavior feels challenging, let’s ask ourselves: “What does my child need to learn here?” rather than “Why are they acting like this?” 🤍

More information in my book
📖 Guidance from The Therapist Parent
Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon

07/09/2025

Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the triggering’ event itself. They stem from the frozen residue of energy that had not been resolved or discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and spirits.

- Peter Levine

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Peter is one of the speakers for the upcoming 3rd edition of 3-Month Online Training „Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy”.
https://bit.ly/3MonthSomaticTraining

22/06/2025

🤔 Ever notice your child clinging to you more than usual, asking for extra hugs, or resisting bedtime unless you’re nearby? 👇

🫂These aren’t “bad behaviors”—they're bids for connection.

Children don’t always have the words to say “I need you,” so they express it through actions:
🔹 They interrupt your work or follow you room to room
🔹 They suddenly need more cuddles or reassurance
🔹 They want you to watch this! every 5 minutes
🔹 They resist going to bed unless you’re close
🔹 They’re more emotional or sensitive than usual

💞These are all signs that your child is craving connection, not trying to make things harder.

🧠 Developmentally, children are wired for attachment. When that connection feels distant—even briefly—their behavior ramps up as a signal. Research shows that secure attachment directly shapes a child’s emotional regulation, behavior, and long-term resilience (Sroufe et al., 2005).

📚 In fact, a 2013 study by Feldman found that sensitive and attuned caregiving—like responding to these subtle cues—actually promotes better brain development in the areas responsible for empathy and emotional control.

So the next time your child melts down or clings a little tighter, try asking yourself:

🤔What connection might they be missing right now?

😊Often, just 10 minutes of undivided attention—a snuggle, a puzzle, or playful eye contact—can refill their emotional cup.

Because when kids feel emotionally safe, they behave better, cope better, and grow stronger. Connection isn’t just soft—it’s science. 🧠❤️

19/06/2025

I'm getting increasingly concerned by the "dabbling" in children's mental health that is being encouraged by the Labour government! Not only did they strip back the ASGSF to unworkable amounts (I'm now constantly thinking do we refuse that meeting or do it for free & risk bankruptcy?)😪 Trying to remain ethical without the funding to do so is bad enough. But they've also stated "mental health provision in schools", which basically means giving a staff member a brief course to dabble. We're getting enquiries to train people to work in this way. It won't be encouraged by eQuiPT. It's downright dangerous in a bid to look like the government are doing good for children. If they actually want to benefit mental health I ask this: 1.Fund actually qualified therapists in schools. 2. Reinstate the ASGSF funding to workable levels so that we can do the job we love doing and properly. 3. Add money to the pot so that Kinship carers can access support too. At the moment the government are creating a very dangerous environment. Families please question what's being offered. Is the "therapist" qualified? Are they registered? Therapists are trained to post graduate level! Please always ask. Somone who doesn't know what they're doing can actively make things worse. The Provider's List and Ofsted was created for a very good reason. Accountability for Provider's. Action against ASGSF changes

16/04/2025

Therapy Room available
Plympton, Devon

Suitable for 1:1 counselling and family therapy

Parking, kitchen and bathroom facilities available

Rental fees are:-

£15 per hour
£50 per 4 hours
£100 per day

Please get in touch if you’re looking for a lovely space to work from.

Kind regards
Jo

12/04/2025

11/04/2025

The Fund still isn’t open! Tag your MP to tell them we still need their support.

On 1st April Children’s Minister Janet Daby announced that the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) would continue, with the same level of funding as last year (£50m). But the Fund is still closed for applications.

For adopted children and their families, the desperate wait continues.

Department for Education Munira Wilson Tom Gordon MP Rachael Maskell

21/03/2025

Adopted children won’t magically stop needing therapy if their support disappears.

12/01/2025

Put energy into keeping yourself in healthy spaces and relationships.

30/12/2024

Harsh punishments leave a child’s nervous system trying to find safety and making them reactive. Helping a child calm and coaching them through, will build a calmer nervous system and allow them to learn to manage their emotions better.

We need to discipline our kids in the true sense of the word; teach direct and guide them. We need to work with them and not be an authority to cause fear, but someone that will help them develop to the same moral standard we have.

So when setting a limit:

👉Is it reasonable? Sometimes our first response is "no". But can it be done a different way or at another time?

👉Is it developmentally appropriate? Often our expectations of our kids are just too high

👉 you can set limits in love. Connection is is so important if we want kids to follow our instructions. Be careful not to damage it

👉 problem solve together. If we work with our kids and get them to find a solution then they learn to make good decisions and you are more likely to have cooperation

More information on my blog

https://www.thetherapistparent.com/post/why-punishment-doesn-t-work-and-what-does

This illustration is available for download or print on my website www.thetherapistparent.com/online-store

15/11/2024