Calm Cove Play therapy

14/01/2026

As I’ve spoken about before, we know from neuroscience research that children do not have the skill sets to manage these storms themselves.

We can’t stop them from feeling those big feelings and nor should we. When children are having these big feelings it’s our job to join them where they are at. Only then can we model and support them to work through these big feelings, using connection.

The more frequently we support kids with these big feelings, the more they will figure out how to do this themselves.

As part of my role as a play therapist I often sit with children through these big feelings, modelling my self regulation. This is just a small part of how play therapy works!

When kids act out, push back, or fall apart, it’s not defiance. It’s a signal.
A signal that something feels too big, too hard, or too overwhelming.

Instead of jumping straight to consequences, try this:
💬 “That was a big reaction — are you okay?”
💬 “Looks like something’s feeling tricky right now.”

This doesn’t mean we excuse the behaviour.
It means we meet the need behind it — and guide them from there.
Because connection is what builds cooperation. 💛

📘 Find more tools like this in my book Guidance from The Therapist Parent — available at www.thetherapistparent.com or via the link in bio.

BigFeelings ParentingWisdom

06/01/2026

Had some more lovely reviews on my website recently!

If you’re looking for therapy for your child, I currently have availability on Tuesdays and Wednesdays! Just reach out using my number or email address on my website!

Calm Cove Play Therapy offers a safe and understanding space for children to explore their feelings and process difficult life events through the power of play. Our qualified play therapist utilises a range of creative mediums, including art, sand, movement and music, to help children communicate an...

06/01/2026

Getting back to school after a few weeks off can cause a lot of anxiety for both children and parents.

Being prepared with routines and moments of connection can be a positive way to manage this. And remember anxiety is the fear of the unknown, so do what you can to make things feel more predictable for you and the child!

Back-to-school anxiety can feel overwhelming for children – but simple routines can make all the difference.

Practical morning and evening routines can help ease worries and bring calm to your child’s day.

Evening post being published later today.

IN THE RESOURCE STORE
Back-to-School Anxiety Toolkit for Parents & Educators
Starting school can be stressful! Our toolkit supports children through this transition with practical strategies for parents and educators.

What’s Inside:
✅ Parent Info Sheets – Understand anxiety, confidence boosters, coping strategies. Comprising 23 pages covering all content from our social media posts over the next 7 days. Plus an additional 18 pages of emotions based information.
✅ Checklists – Spot triggers like emotional regulation struggles, social worries, executive function, or sensory overload.
✅ Activities – Morning and evening routine activities, journaling positivity and reflection.
✅ Coping & Calming – Breathing, mindful strategies, emotions based.
✅ Examples of Use – Easy ways to integrate strategies at home or in the classroom.

Why it helps:
• Recognise early signs and reduce anxiety before it escalates.
• Give children confidence and emotional tools to manage worries.
• Empower parents and educators with simple, adaptable strategies as well as over 40 pages of educational content.

Make the back-to-school transition calmer, more confident, and full of resilience!

Instant download available at link in comments or via our Linktree Store in Bio.

18/10/2025

Play is children’s natural form of learning and communication.

Clear sky clearly reflect how play is so important for both learning and therapy.

Clear sky have their own free articles on how parents can be therapeutic in their play in their home.

It’s so much more than ‘just play...’

Play isn't a break from learning - it IS learning.

While children play, their brains are literally growing, releasing chemicals that build motivation and joy, developing the executive function they'll need for life, and creating the foundation for positive relationships.

Play allows children to make sense of the world, offering them safe opportunities to process their experiences and practice social scenarios.

Discover more about the transformative power of play on our emotionally healthy schools platform:
https://clear-sky.org.uk/emotionally_healthy_schools/

08/07/2025

Sometimes it can be hard to understand why children have these big feelings. It’s important to remember that brains don’t fully develop until the age of 25 and that children need help with these big feelings.

Sometimes we hear words such as ‘self soothe’ or ‘time out’, but often what children really need is connection, validation and co-regulation. Staying with the child through those big emotions and connecting with them. Modelling how we regulate ourselves as adults and repairing it if we have got it wrong, are all ways we can support a child to learn how to express their feelings in healthy ways.

The Therapist Parent 💗

25/06/2025

I imagine over the summer holidays, parents hear a lot of this phrase ‘I’m bored’. Partly due to screen time and the instant gratification we have so much of these days, boredom can be hard to manage. But being bored is important and often leads to new creations and problem solving. Helping children solve their own problems with a bit of support can be really good for self esteem!

15/05/2025

I love this!

There are myths around that gentle parenting means not holding boundaries or letting your child do what they want, but that’s not gentle parenting at all.

Gentle parenting requires lots of consistent rules and boundaries and not letting these slip. It requires validating your children’s experiences and feelings and apologising when you get things wrong. It’s very difficult but in the long term hugely worthwhile to support your child’s emotions and behaviour.

13/05/2025

It’s not our job as adults to change how a child feels. It’s our job to help them sit with those tough feelings and support them through it. As a play therapist I help children to see that all of their feelings are ok. Helping children to feel seen and heard is the first step towards healing and growth.

I spend most of my time as a Psychologist teaching kids about feelings. It never stops amazing me how a lot of adults struggle at doing this. Feelings are there for a reason, we need to recognise them so we can manage them

When kids are little, sticking to Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared and Worried are fine. They are the building blocks for understanding emotions. However, as children get older we need to expand their emotional vocabulary. For example, there is a difference between feeling angry and disappointed or confused and frustrated. The way would would manage anger and disappointment are probably going to be different too.

More information in my book:

Guidance from The Therapist Parent

Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon

Link in bio

06/03/2025

Take a look at my website to check out the lovely reviews parents have written about my play therapy service!

Calm Cove Play Therapy offers a safe and understanding space for children to explore their feelings and process difficult life events through the power of play. Our qualified play therapist utilises a range of creative mediums, including art, sand, movement and music, to help children communicate an...

06/02/2025

Learn more about what play therapy is through clear sky charity! This charity offers parent resources to manage difficult behaviours at home, all through play!

31/12/2024

If this Christmas has been difficult for you and your family, or your child is beggining to struggle for any reasons seen below then please reach out!

Calm cove Play therapy currently have space for one new client!

I have availability on Wednesday’s at 4.20-5.00pm in my Wakefield therapy room.

Sessions cost £60.

If you would like to reach out to discuss further please call me on: 07356066435 or email me on: info@calmcoveplaytherapy.co.uk. For your free telephone consultation.

Alternatively if you want to find out more about how play therapy works you can learn more on my website calmcoveplaytherapy.co.uk.

31/12/2024

Hoping you have all had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to 2025 and all the new adventures it is to bring!

One of my new Christmas presents this year was this book! Can’t wait to learn more about how to bring in the polyvagal theory into my play therapy sessions to improve my practice. One of my favourite things about being a play therapist is that the learning never stops. It’s all about being open to new theories, ideas and concepts to bring in the play room!