Calm Cove Play therapy

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!

15/12/2024

I love this image about how important mistakes are!

We are all human beings so inevitably make mistakes in life. Making mistakes and repairing this can model repairing relationships to children.

It’s important children know that mistakes are ok and that they don’t mean we are bad people. Forgiving ourselves and being compassionate to ourselves is good for our mental health!

This is such a helpful graphic! Sometimes we feel stuck and end up digging ourselves in deeper when we've messed up, but here are some great ideas for positive choices to make when we've made mistakes! These are great to share with kids, and even to remind ourselves!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/445293481913872071/

28/11/2024

Children in play therapy often revisit the same play over and over again. This enables them to gain mastery and competency over the situation.

In using play to explore and make sense of their experiences, children can maintain a safe psychological distance from something that is causing them anxiety in their day-to-day life.

Through these repetitions, children use play to find solutions to problems, lessening their anxiety and empowering them to become master of it.

05/11/2024

Repairing relationships after there has been rupture is a key part of developing trust. Modelling healthy ways to repair is really important for children to learn how to repair relationships as they grow. We all make mistakes but it’s how we correct them that counts!

Lisa Terni Dion 💕

22/10/2024

Did you know about something called the whisper effect?

When we overhear someone say something about us, we believe it much more than if someone says it directly to our faces. So get whispering positive comments about those little ones to boost their self esteem!

Supporting your child’s emotions plays a huge role in both emotional regulation and brain development! 💖🧠 When you comfort them, talk through their feelings, or offer a safe space to express themselves, you're helping their brain develop the pathways needed to manage emotions and stress.

By modeling how to handle big feelings and guiding them through tough moments, you’re teaching them how to self-soothe, build resilience, and regulate their emotions—all while strengthening their brain. 🌱 Emotional regulation and brain growth go hand in hand, setting them up for success in relationships, learning, and life. 💡

Every time you’re patient and present with their feelings, you're shaping a stronger, more confident brain!

More information in my book

Guidance from The Therapist Parent

Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon