Amanda Seyderhelm - Practical parenting advice for happy kids

26/07/2025

Young bereaved children struggle to tell us how they feel, which is why they need playful therapeutic games to talk through.

My book, Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change has a ready made toolkit for you to use in the classroom, in therapeutic sessions, and at home.

Ideal for and .

Shared with Dropbox

24/07/2025

I am pleased to now be offering sessions in my Belper practice for parents.
http://www.helpingchildrensmileagain.com to schedule an assessment call.



Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice Boom Magazine Derbyshire Derbyshire Information Advice and Support Service for SEND Derbyshire Toy Libraries

25/06/2025

Are you a parent at your wits end concerned about your child’s escalating behaviour?

Fed up of being on a long waiting list?

What happens if you can’t access play therapy for your child?

I am now teaching the skills I use in my practice to parents.

You can now learn how to contain your child’s emotions and big feelings, alongside the essential skill of ‘reflective functioning’, which is central to play therapy.

This is called, ‘Parent/Child Attachment Play.

You are the expert on your child, and learning these skills will help bring your child’s emotional temperature down.

Taught over 6 weekly sessions, this removes the anxiety of waiting, and will bond you closer with your child.

I am opening 2 slots for this 6 week course held live in my therapy rooms in Belper.

Reach out to me hello@helpingchildrensmileagain.com to discuss.

19/06/2025

Empathic listening vs. Dismissive listening

Children learn to regulate through the adults in their life. It's in their interaction with us that they learn to to cope with and move through difficult feelings.

If we're dismissive of feelings, if we try and fix them or minimise them, we teach them that feelings are unsafe. We teach them that feelings are not to be felt.

To support children to know that their feelings are welcome, we can start by giving them space. Here are a few examples of how we can be empathic in times of struggle... so that we can support children to know that they can cope with big feelings, and to help them learn that they will come and go 🌊

09/06/2025

Do you know how to decode your child’s language? ‘I’m bored’ can mean ‘I need you to spend time with me.’

09/06/2025

Welcome to my new followers!

25/05/2025

Do you know a woman who has had cancer and is looking for informal social support?

I am an survivor, and I'm launching,
'Cancer Pitstop for Women' together with Jill Hodgkinson on Saturday June 7th at in the 1924 Arcade, Belper, Derbyshire.

Cancer is a lonely journey, and you can join us for free tea and biscuits, good company, and a chance to unwind. You will be welcomed into a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. No booking is needed, just turn up and connect with like-minded women for a chat.

We are supported by , Social Prescribers and local GPs.
Please do share our flyer with women you know who are living with cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Action

28/01/2025

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE Facebook Meta MY PERMISSION TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA.

26/01/2025

This is what I’m doing February 8th at Creative Arts Belper.

02/11/2024

A traumatised couple are further tested when a young woman appears claiming to be their long-lost daughter, in Virginia Gilbert’s low-key film.

Many aspects of this thoughtful film have stayed with me, but strikingly, is the reminder that grief plays tricks with our mind, protecting us from facing painful truths about our loss. Is that denial?

25/10/2024

NEW Writing for Wellbeing Group in association with Derbyshire Ladies Group, and open to all.

Hosted by Amanda Seyderhelm.
Saturday November 2nd, 10.30am to noon.
Space limited to 6 people.

We will explore what real self-care is through writing prompts and photographs, and use our writing to discuss what makes us feel strong and supported during these challenging times!

This will be a positive and supportive group, looking at how writing can help us process and figure stuff out. It is not therapy! Think of it as a creative space for yourself to learn something new. It is for writers of all levels, and especially those who don't think of themselves as writers and who are curious and want to have a go.
Venue: The Hollies, Belper.
Fee: £25.00, includes refreshments.

Will you join us?

03/09/2024

Now your children are back to school, does the routine of life get in the way of you making time to play with them?

A child's natural language is play, this is how they will tell you about their worries and anxieties.

Adults talk about our problems, children play them out.

You don't have to get down and dirty in the clay and paint but creating a small toolkit is one of the things I teach in my Parent Child Attachment Play (PCAP) sessions to help strengthen the bond and trust with your child.

PCAP is a structured approach that enables parents and caregivers to strengthen the relationship and build deeper connections with their children, or children in their care, through dedicated weekly play times. PCAP was founded by play therapist Debi Maskell-Graham, of which I am an accredited practitioner.

Through these purposeful play opportunities, the overall sense of security and wellbeing of the child improves and we see a positive impact on the emotion and behavioural challenges.

Benefits of PCAP:

– Enhances parent-child connection, leading to more harmonious relationships at home.

– Supports emotional regulation in children by giving them a safe space to express their feelings.

– Increases attachment security, which is vital for a child’s emotional and social development.

– Helps parents manage time, environment, and interactions more effectively, leading to positive behaviour changes.

– Creates a sense of trust and safety, making family life more manageable.

If you feel ready to explore how PCAP can benefit your family, child in your care, or organisation, book a free 3- minute discovery call with us today using the Calendly link below.

https://calendly.com/helpingchildrensmileagain/pcap-discovery-call?month=2024-09

More information about PCAP is available on www.helpingchildrensmileagain.com