Play & Art Therapy Waterford with Jenny Kiely

12/02/2026

Valentine’s idea for parents ❤️

Write 10 things you love about your child inside a heart and give it to them on Valentine's day.

Take a photograph and look at it on the hard parenting days.

A simple gift they can keep forever.

Because the greatest love story is being their parent.

31/01/2026

Title: Forest of Echoes
Imagine a forest where every space holds a sound, some loud, bursting with energy or overwhelm while others quietly whisper inside hollow trees. This forest is home to a songbird, a wolf and a bear in hibernation. All three long to be heard, seen and understood.

Sometimes, the loud howling of the wolf drowns out the snoring of the bear. The occasional clap of thunder lingers long after the sound is gone while trees continue to roar as wind forcefully moves their branches. In this home, harmony requires a songbird who notices and understands what is said, what is unsaid, and what shows itself in small, often overlooked ways.

While the songbird sings signalling a calling for connection, the wolf howls to communicate alarm, readiness and urgency and the bear rests to conserve energy. The songbird's song becomes shorter, sharper and more repetitive when worrying about the disconnection within and between the animals. Harmony in this home is not perfect. It’s not calm all the time. It’s messy.

Yet, in the Forest of Echoes, even small moments of resonance can shift the atmosphere. By the songbird simply pausing to notice the shift from melodic to quick songs, the huffing of the bear and the growling of the wolf and in rising to meet the storms and silences with curiosity and care, a sense of connection, understanding, and safety is restored. The songbird bathes in ants and preens it feathers before returning to tuneful singing, the wolf responds by lowly humming and the bear begins to awaken and starts to snuffle softly, then feeling annoyed clicks its teeth before hearing the call to reconnect and starts to lightly woof. In this forest all voices matters, and being present and understanding of the animals protective behaviours lets the echoes soften rather than collide. The harmonizing echoes, reminds the animals, if only for moments, that they are safe, seen, heard, and held.

27/01/2026

One in five children now missing weeks of school and it’s disproportionately hitting disadvantaged communities. When children are absent, they’re communicating something. It’s time we listen to the voices of children and believe parents about what is really behind absenteeism.

The level of school absence has grown since the pandemic and is showing little sign of improvement, according to a report from the ESRI.

31/12/2025

31/12/2025

Play, art, and conversation are all languages.

Different therapeutic approaches support expression and growth at different stages of life, from child-led play, to creative processes, to integrative adolescent psychotherapy.

This carousel highlights how therapy adapts to development, not the other way around.

Play & Art Therapist
Integrative Adolescent Psychotherapy
IPTA • IACAT (Member)
📍 Waterford
✉️ Enquiries welcome

01/12/2025

Is your child or teen having a hard time managing their emotions?

Play therapy, art therapy, and psychotherapy offer gentle and effective support. 💛

✨ Now welcoming new children and adolescents.

📞 Contact by phone 086 3950494
📧 Or send an email to get started jennykielyplayandarttherapy@gmail.com

You’re not alone, support is available.

24/11/2025

A witty dive into the neuroscience of not giving quite so many ‘f*cks’ as we age. Ellen Scherr explores the neuroscience of why in midlife, our mental filter starts to short out and why it might actually be good for our brains.

https://www.blog.lifebranches.com/p/aging-out-of-f**ks-the-neuroscience?r=2rht90&fbclid=IwdGRjcAORjj9jbGNrA5GMlGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjCbDJL9eEYZMm-5f9VS9B-R_FAwUlXO_A5CmTUHDwhnrvVgaoS0PPfSDUrQ_aem_GSEh0QlkzzTdNGW2RQnZdg

Your brain's middle finger to people-pleasing

21/11/2025

A thoughtful reminder that the images young people share online rarely show the whole story. This talk opens space for compassion, honesty, and understanding, helping teens reflect on who they are beyond the pressures of social media, and supporting them in building a more grounded and authentic sense of self.

This talk gives an honest look at the modern teenage girl’s reality—comparison, cyber-pressure, loneliness, and the constant search for acceptance in a world...

11/11/2025

In adolescent therapy, clients give voice to the parts of themselves that have long been silenced. ‘Hi Ren’ is a powerful musical exploration of that inner dialogue between pain and healing, fear and strength, critic and creator.

Externalizing these voices through art, movement, or sound can be the first step toward integration. When each part is met with compassion, one begins to hear the whole self.

Help support me by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/renmakesmusicSubscribe Now! - https://bit.ly/RenYTSub- - -Ren - Hi Ren (Official Music Video)H...

31/10/2025

✨ Mystical Magic by My Sister Debbie✨

Still in awe of this mystical nature portrait my insanely talented sister painted of me 🌙💫
She somehow captured the wild, spiritual side of me in colours and light, pure magic. 🎨💖

If you love dreamy, nature-inspired art that feels alive, go show her some love! 🌿🦋
➡️ Follow her new page for more of her enchanting creations, your feed will thank you.

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. 🦋✨