Play & Art Therapy Waterford with Jenny Kiely

24/08/2025

🌱 As parents, we don’t always get it right, I know I don’t.

🌿 From both a parent and play therapy perspective, this talk is a beautiful reminder that challenging behaviours are often anxiety-led, and curiosity is the first step to compassion which can open new doors.

Yvonne Newbold's son, Toby, is one of the millions of young people living with a disability. Parenting Toby has offered her some lessons on how to help children move from anxiety-led behavior towards happier times. Drawing on her personal experience, she outlines some of the most effective and actio...

16/08/2025

As a [play/art] therapist, I use play/ art therapy to nurture resilience, confidence, and transformation. I believe every child holds the wings of possibility inside them. Wings waiting to unfold. 🦋🦋

I witness children finding their wings while continuing to unfurl my own as truthfully, I’m on that journey too learning, stretching, unfolding and growing alongside them. 🌿🦋🦋✨

Thank you for being here whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or fellow traveller on this journey of growth. 🌿 If you’re in Waterford and curious about play or art therapy, know that support is closer than you think. 🦋✨

30/06/2025

🎨🧠 Now Taking Play & Art Therapy Bookings for September! 🧠🎨

Is your child ready to explore emotions, build confidence, and grow through creative expression? Play & Art Therapy sessions are a gentle, effective way to support your child’s emotional well-being.

📅 Bookings now open for September!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Initial Parent Meeting required to reserve a slot.

Let’s work together to nurture your child’s inner world. 💛
📩 Message to learn more or book your initial consultation.
📧:jennykielyplayandarttherapy@gmail.com
📲:086 3950494

12/02/2025

Please leave your name & number for a free 10-minute call to discuss your concerns & the suitability of play/art therapy for your child.

15/10/2024

Play/art therapy cannot be rushed. Children and adolescents have to be given time to work through their feelings.

How many sessions? I pinned down the sources of exactly what has been studied and by who. So many practitioners just repeat the phrase 'research shows...' but in that way it can become hearsay or incorrectly reinterpreted.

Bratton, S.C., et al. (2005). 'The Efficacy of Play Therapy With Children: A Meta-Analytic Review of Treatment Outcomes'. Professional psychology: research and practice, 36(4), p.376.

Guerney, L., (2001). 'Child-centered play therapy'. International journal of play therapy, 10(2), pp.13-32.

LeBlanc, M. & Ritchie, M. (2001) 'A meta-analysis of play therapy outcomes'. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, vol.14(2), pp. 149-163.

Ray, D. (2008). 'Impact of play therapy on parent-child relationship stress at a mental health training setting'. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 36(2), pp. 165-187.

01/09/2024

In play therapy, toys are like the child's words and play is the child's language (Landreth, 2002).

A child's developmental stage, their lived experiences, and any additional needs they may have will affect their ability to verbally articulate any problems or struggles they experience.

In Play Therapy, children are able to communicate their wants and needs using the toys to converse with the play therapist.

Their ability to use words to communicate isn't a necessity in the therapy space, unlike in many other areas of the child's life.

As a result, the child doesn't feel pressure to talk and is able to fully immerse themselves in the play, and process their lived experiences.

19/08/2024

New referrals are welcome 👐

To arrange a free brief phone call to discuss your concerns for your child & the suitability of play/art therapy DM, 📱 or text 086 3950494, or 📧 jennykielyplayandarttherapy@gmail.com

Next play/art therapy sessions starting in September.

10/08/2024

Considering the 5 love languages identified by Gary Chapman, what way do you or your child express and receive love? Do you recognise your and your child's preferred love language? Is some of how you give your child love their primary way to receive it?

The Red Squirrel painting, a gift I received from an autistic art creator, is an expression of love. Love, connection, and a shared appreciation for the animal kingdom. For some, this will resonate with how they wish to give and receive love. Others will want to be loved by, for instance, spending one to one time together. If quality time is your child's love language, 10 minutes of child led time during their day can help to build a strong relationship.

Think of love languages as a way to tend to your relationship with yourself and your child.

Artist: Tanisha

10/08/2024

10 tenets that non directive play therapists emulate in the playroom. Parenting is a different role that can at times overlap with the role of play therapist. Parenting may or may not echo these tenets. Personally speaking, parenting at times can be a lot more challenging. Thankfully, as parents, we can fall back on Donald Winnicotts' notion of being a "good enough parent," not perfect but fallible at times. Thus allowing the same grace to the children in our care.

04/08/2024

"Yes, we are raised by people, but we are also raised by the Earth. As recent research is showing, the natural world can play an important role in our emotional lives, offering a sense of security and belonging, and reducing anxiety and stress...Connecting with restorative wild spaces might influence the emotional development of children, but also the healing of adults, by fostering resilience and belonging – wild connections might even mitigate some of the negative effects of insecure attachment...healing doesn’t need to come only from our social worlds, it can also come from the simple act of rekindling our connection to the Earth."

https://psyche.co/ideas/rewilding-attachment-theory-by-recognising-earth-as-a-caregiver?fbclid=IwY2xjawEct-dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUVSeQrWK5-HKtH8XE1Nr2gMql8OcoDTG2OYoey8abGYacYmL8ew7dB2eA_aem_eBsGybRuK4lQjLRcJzDJag&sfnsn=mo

We are raised by people, but we are also raised by the Earth – here’s what that means for our emotional development

17/06/2024

Great radio clip on why play matters.

Carolyn Parse is Children Health’s Ireland’s Professional Lead for Healthcare Play

09/05/2024

A wonferful article on Play Therapy in the Irish Examiner. Some of our members contributed to the piece. See the link below: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/parenting/arid-41389462.html