Inner Path Play Therapy

14/07/2025

What a first day with the Inner Care Explorers and Inner Care Club summer classes!

Today we got curious about mindfulness, what it means to slow down, take a deep breath, and calm our busy brains. Through playful breathwork, we began learning how to settle our minds and support our nervous systems in a way that feels safe, fun, and empowering.

Excited for the week ahead with these brilliant young minds! 🌟

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Please note: Full consent has been given for any children shown in this post. However, at Inner Path Play Therapy, we always blur children’s faces in images to honour each child’s autonomy and right to privacy.

02/07/2025

🌟INNER CARE SUMMER CLASSES 🌟
Big feelings don’t take a summer break and neither do we! 💛

Our creative, mindfulness-based summer groups are filling fast, with only a handful of spaces left in both the Inner Care Explorers (Junior/Senior Infants) and Inner Care Club (1st–5th Class).

✨ Games, art, meditation & more
✨ Designed to help children build confidence, feel calm, and stay connected
✨ Small groups for personalised support

📍 Location: Inner Path Play Therapy, Newbridge’Co.Kildare.
📆 July 14–17 or July 28–31
⏰ Morning & afternoon times available
💶 €110 for 4 days

🔗 only a handful of spaces remaining, Book now before we’re full!
📩 innerpathplaytherapy@gmail.com
📞 085-7322744
🌐 www.innerpathplaytherapy.com

18/06/2025

✨Big news for Newbridge FRC!✨

Having worked with Newbridge FRC for several years, right from my student days through to now leading the play therapy services, I’ve seen first-hand the heart, care and commitment they bring to families in our area.

This news marks such a positive step forward and will bring even more support to those who need it most.

We are delighted to be chosen as one of the lucky recipients of the

These funds will go towards supporting our Play Therapy Service which is a low-cost support to families and children within the Newbridge area. This service is essential in supporting children through many issues they may be facing. Thanks to everyone who supports the toy show appeal each year, these funds are always wisely allocated and wholly appreciated.
The Late Late Show

08/06/2025

06/05/2025

🌟 Inner Care Summer Classes! 🌟

Big feelings don’t take a summer break and neither do we.

We’re excited to launch our Inner Care Summer Classes at Inner Path Play Therapy, designed to support your child’s emotional wellbeing in a fun, creative, and meaningful way.

These small-group classes blend mindfulness, play, art, and movement to help children build inner confidence, calm, and connection, tools they can carry with them well beyond the summer.

Whether your child is just starting to explore their inner world or growing their emotional toolkit, these classes offer a space to pause, recharge, and reconnect in a fun and engaging way.

Classes run throughout July for ages 2–18. Spaces are limited to keep things personal and purposeful,see full schedule on the poster.

Booking now open. Contact Aoife to secure your place.
innerpathplaytherapy@gmail.com
www.innerpathplaytherapy.com

Please note: While these sessions are delivered by a qualified play therapist and creative mindfulness teacher, they are not a substitute for individual play therapy. They are group wellbeing classes designed to support emotional development through creative and mindful approaches.

27/04/2025

As the Easter break ends, each child steps back into school carrying their own unique experience.
Some may be excited to return to school, while others may feel a little wobbly.
Some may have had a joyful, connected Easter; for others, it might have been a time of change or challenges.

As parents, it can be helpful to pause and remember there’s no ‘right’ way for a child to feel about returning to school.
Gentle conversations, soft routines, and extra patience can help ease the transition.

A simple idea to support your child (and yourself):
Try a small feelings check-in at home.
Use language or tools (like a feelings thermometer, check out the second image) tonight to open conversation about how all are feeling before school tomorrow:

🌟 “What’s one word for how you’re feeling today?”
🌟 “Is there anything you’re looking forward to or feeling unsure about?”

You don’t need to fix or solve anything , listening with warmth and presence is enough.
And don’t forget: it’s okay to check in with yourself too.

Be kind to yourself and your child as you both move through this transition together.

17/04/2025

🌟 Inner Care Classes! 🌟

I’m so excited to officially launch Inner Care Classes!Our brand new series of fun, mindfulness-based classes designed to support emotional well-being through fun creativity, breathwork, art, movement, meditation, stories, and games 🌿✨

These engaging classes are for children, teens, parents, carers, schools, and organisations all designed to help build tools for calm, confidence, and connection 💛

📅 Enrollment for our Summer Series opens soon! Dates and times will be announced after the Easter break, so make sure you follow us or sign up for our newsletter at www.innerpathplaytherapy.com to be the first to know!

11/04/2025

🌟Tired of emotional ups and downs?🌟
Not sure how to help with big feelings?
Is life just a bit too overwhelming as a parent right now?

Well, now there’s… The Play Therapist Doll – Aoife Edition!

She’s fuelled by tea, powered by purpose, and always ready with her trusty iPad for session notes and connecting with her community online.

This doll comes complete with:
💕A floor cushion for getting grounded and ready to play and support at the client’s level

💕A stack of therapy books – because she’s always learning to better support the families she works with

💕A banana snack (or two) between sessions to keep her fuelled throughout the day

💕A glucose monitor – because living with type 1 diabetes is part of her everyday

💕A pocket full of blocks – for creativity, connection, and those familiar “where-did-that-come-from?” moments

But wait — there’s more!

This doll isn’t just cute – she’s got the tools and training to match.
At Inner Path Play Therapy, Aoife offers:
🌈 Play Therapy for children aged 4–13
🧘‍♀️ Creative Mindfulness to support emotional regulation and self-awareness
(Exciting announcements coming soon – stay tuned!)

So if you’re looking for support that’s rooted in play, grounded in care, and filled with creativity –
Try The Play Therapist Doll – Aoife Edition
Available exclusively at Inner Path Play Therapy

Disclaimer: This Doll is not real – but the play, the passion, and the support definitely are.

Post inspired by many other fabulous therapists and creators.

10/04/2025

I had a lovely time earlier this week Newbridge FRC parents evening sharing information about the therapeutic services provided within the centre and also within Inner Path Play Therapy.

08/03/2025

🌟Encouragement vs. Praise – Why It Matters🌟

We’ve all said “Good job!” without thinking—it’s a natural go-to when we want to praise children. But did you know that shifting from praise to encouragement can help build their confidence, motivation, and resilience?

Instead of focusing on the outcome, encouragement highlights effort, persistence, and problem-solving. Here are some simple swaps:

✨ Instead of “Good job!” → Try:
✔ “Wow, you worked really hard on that!”
✔ “You kept going even when it was tricky—that’s amazing!”
✔ “Look at the progress you’ve made!”
✔ “How do you feel about what you’ve done?”

These small changes help kids develop intrinsic motivation and pride in their own efforts—rather than relying on outside approval. 💛

Have you tried this approach? Let me know 👇

08/03/2025

🌟Happy International Women’s Day 🌟

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and nurturing spirit of women everywhere. As a play therapist, I witness the power of women—mothers, caregivers, teachers, and more—who create safe spaces for growth and healing for the children in their lives. Today, let’s acknowledge the importance of emotional connection and support in building a brighter future for the next generation. 💜