Kelly Boswell, Play Therapist

12/01/2022

09/11/2021

Despite Play Therapy’s evidenced ability to support children suffering from a variety of mental health challenges, it is often overlooked or misunderstood. Therefore the PTUK/PTI Team have put our heads together to come up with some fun and engaging ways to raise awareness of Play Therapy throughout the wider public and promote a better understanding of what it’s all about.

This has resulted in our new weekly feature – the A-Z of Play Therapy. For the next 26 weeks, we will using the Alphabet to guide us through the world of Play Therapy in short, bite-sized chunks. Please feel free to help us spread the word by sharing with your own networks 😊

Let’s get straight to it with the letter A which is, of course, for Art-making!

In Play Therapy, this is not preoccupied with artistic skill nor primarily with a final piece, but in the making of it. Metaphor-rich creations emerge from a child’s experiences, bringing thoughts and feelings into form, shape and colour to be explored together with the therapist, promoting personal insights, growth and wellbeing.

21/10/2021

16/09/2021

Did you know that the Science Museum in London has a display on one of the earliest forms of Play Therapy?

Dr Margaret Lowenfeld was one of the first Psychiatrists to experiment with using Play to help children express the feelings and emotions that they couldn't put into words. The collection in London features a range of toys used in her 'World Technique Therapy' which centred around the creation of sand worlds.

Find out more about this fascinating collection via the link below...



https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8100207/toys-used-for-lowenfelds-world-technique-therapy-toy-recreational-artefact

17/07/2021

Calming your child with ADHD

💥 Allow time for activity breaks inbetween tasks that require prolonged sitting eg homework.
💥 Allow children to fidget if they need to, provide them something suitable to use, like fidget toys and things like wobble cushions when try to sit still.
💥 Be consistent with parenting and expectations, ensure you and your partner (if you have one) are singing from same hymn sheet. If you cant agree on expectations how is your child meant to know what is expected of them.
💥 Have a grab and go bag for when you go out , filled with small calming activities for your child.
💥 Establish a good, clear and consistent routine.
💥 Provide a chill out area away from main traffic areas in your house. It doesnt need to be lavish, just somewhere your child can go and escape the world.
💥 Learn and practice calming breathing exercises when your both in a good place. Dont try to learn them in the middle of a meltdown. Learn and practice so they become auto pilot in challenging times. They can help both child & parent.

What strategies do you use to help calm your ADHD child?

17/07/2021

This is so helpful if your child is experiencing difficult emotions.

Don't teach your child not to be angry. Teach them HOW to be angry.

And here’s how …

Blog: Teaching Your Child How To Be Mad 👇🏼
https://genmindful.com/blogs/mindful-moments/teaching-your-child-how-to-be-mad

16/04/2021

This is a wonderful book full of ideas to support your child through difficult moments.

It has been written to support children with attachment difficulties or those who have experienced trauma but it is also helpful for children who are on the autism spectrum or ADHD.

09/03/2021

Have you seen this new app?

Between Us is an app to support couples to have better relationships, and to understand what might be going wrong. Worth a look if you are experiencing difficulties in your relationship.

It was created by Tavistock Relationships, an organisation based in London, which has been helping couples for more than 70 years.

26/02/2021

Have a look at this wonderful story written by Sophie at Sophie's Stories. For all those going back to school in March.

A free therapeutic story written by Children's Therapist and author of The Stay Home Superheroes, Sophie Marsh, to support children to process their feelings around returning to school after lockdown. Plus playful tips to help them express themselves!

17/02/2021

Yes, I love this!

07/02/2021

Meet the Worry Warts!

We need to talk about our worries to reduce them. These little helpers are useful if you find it difficult to talk about your worries.

Do you have any worries?