Wings to Fly Play Therapy

05/08/2025

Quote of the Day

05/08/2025

Responsive Parenting Inspirations 💕

05/08/2025

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

Susan David beautifully explained! 💗

12/04/2025

One of the biggest misconceptions we carry—whether in our relationships with people or with horses—is that control equals safety. ��That if we can just manage every variable, tighten every rein, dictate every step, nothing can go wrong.
But control isn’t about safety.

It’s about fear.�

When we don’t trust, we compensate by gripping tighter.
We micromanage, we anticipate failure, we leave no room for another being to have their own experience. And in doing so, we sever the very connection we’re trying to protect.

Horses show us this every day.

A tightly held rein creates tension, not trust. A controlled, rigid ask leads to resistance, not partnership. When we soften, when we offer a space of mutual trust rather than control, we see the same in return.�

People aren’t much different. The more we grip, the more we push away the closeness we crave. The real work isn’t in controlling others—it’s in learning to trust and being worthy of trust in return.�💕

~Duey Freeman

31/03/2025

Did you know that young children’s brains are still developing the ability to control their impulses? The prefrontal cortex, which manages self-regulation and decision-making, doesn’t fully develop until early adulthood. This means kids aren’t being "naughty" when they are impulsive—they’re simply learning!

Punishing them for behaviours they can’t fully control won’t speed up their development. Instead, it can create frustration or even shame.

What does help? 💡
🌟 Patience: Understand their limitations and guide them calmly.
🌟 Modelling: Show them how to handle frustration and big emotions.
🌟 Connection: Build trust and nurture their emotional growth.

Remember, kids grow best in environments filled with love, guidance, and understanding. Let’s give them the tools they need, not punish them for what they haven’t developed yet. 💕

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

24/03/2025

The Mindful Corner 💗

11/03/2025

Our QQI Level 6, 15 Credit, Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate Course is starting in person in Limerick this April. This is our final in person Therapeutic Play Skills course of the year so if you are keen to attend this training in person now is your time to do so!! Places are limited so if you do want to join this training incredible training in Limerick make sure to get your application into me soon.

CTC’s Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate is a fantastic course for professionals working with children, or parents/carers, interested in developing new skills to make more therapeutic use of play within their current professional role. It is also ideal foundation level training for anyone considering applying for our MA course. The Limerick course takes place in CTC’s Limerick premises and is facilitated by one of our fabulous MA trainers, Cathy O’ Byrne. Our Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills is offered on a part-time basis and equips participants with the relevant knowledge, skill and competencies to plan, deliver and evaluate both group and individual play-based interventions. The Limerick training is an interactive learning programme with experiential learning opportunities built in throughout. Participants engage in creative activities that enhance personal development, develop insight and awareness, and contribute to understanding, and meeting, the needs of all children including those living in adverse circumstances. Course content includes coverage of many therapeutic play interventions, including creative visualisation, interactive play, use of puppets and creative storytelling, skills to support self-directed play and running groups for personal and social development. Directive and non-directive therapeutic approaches are addressed.

To apply you simply need to email me (ctcsiobhan@gmail.com) your name, contact details, brief professional details and attach a copy of your photo ID. We very much look forward to welcoming some of you to CTC Limerick this April.