Cradle Psychology

07/01/2026

I am a child psychologist, whose toddler turned 2 recently and this is one of the best toys we bought for her. Kitchen sets are so versatile in the opportunities they offer for development of cognitive, motor, social and emotional skills.

And yes, she wanted the plant “just like mama!”

04/01/2026

While we do not subscribe to the idea that there is any one month or day that gives rise to poor mental health universally, we do notice in our work that January can be a tricky month for lots of reasons.

We might find ourselves setting expectations for ourselves very high, at the same time as we are feeling the natural depletion of the “high” of the Christmas period (a generalisation and of course not the case for everyone!).

With this in mind, we invite you to give yourself permission for slow change, compassion, connection, and comfort, whatever this means for you.

31/12/2025

Happy new year!
Some information on our 2026 availability, feel free to contact us for more information - we will be back at our desks from Monday 5th January!
Thank you.

31/12/2025

Happy new year from Cradle!
Here is a reminder of our current availability over the next little while. Please feel free to contact us with any questions - we will be back at our desks on Monday 5th January and will respond to all enquiries then.
Thank you!

24/12/2025

It’s also the season to have cranky kids, a panic over deliveries that are late, over-stimulation, comments from family, too much food, a drink too many, the wrong Pokemon cards, a baby who won’t sleep, a car that breaks down…

Our advice? Try to filter in the glimmer moments of jolly! Your toddler understanding Santa for the first time, a helping hand in the kitchen, a moment of calm, support from family, getting the place ready just in time, finding the batteries, finding a moment to laugh. Those are enough!

Happy Christmas from us at Cradle, thank you for being with us all year, looking forward to 2026 with our wonderful community.

Johanna and Marese 🎄

18/12/2025

Panic attacks are frightening because the sensations feel out of control – racing heart, tight chest, dizziness, feeling unreal – but they are a surge of adrenaline, not a sign that something bad is happening.

A few things that can help:
• Name it
Saying “this is a panic response” helps take the fear out of the sensations. Panic feeds on uncertainty. If there’s someone with you to tell, this can really help to take away the “unreal” feeling that can come with panic.
• Don’t fight it
Trying to force it away can actually keep the cycle going. Letting the wave move through is often what helps it pass.
• Ground your body
Feel your feet on the floor. Press your hands together. Notice what you can see, hear, or touch around you. This brings your nervous system back into the present moment.
• Breathing isn’t for everyone
Slow breathing can help some people – but if you’re not well-practised, focusing on your breath can sometimes make panic worse.
If that’s you, grounding or gentle distraction is a better place to start.
• Let time do its job
Adrenaline can’t stay high forever. Each minute that passes, your body is already settling.

You don’t need to get rid of panic to get through it.
Staying with yourself through it is the work – and it’s a skill that builds over time.

18/12/2025

2025 has been busy and wonderful with opportunities to work with lots of fantastic families.
We are now beginning to prepare for 2026 - this is where we are at currently in relation to availability.
Please contact us if you would like to book in for a 2026 appointment or to find out more about what we offer.
Thank you to all of you who follow us for your continued support!
We truly love what we get to do with Cradle.

16/12/2025

A little moment of native closure from me 2 years on from becoming a first time mom!

15/12/2025

This month we are focusing on the small ways we use psychological skills in our own everyday lives - practicing what we preach!
Small habits built crucial support for our nervous systems. Relating to our minds in new and different ways takes time and lots of practice.
Have you tried skills like these in your everyday life?

12/12/2025

Days like this feel very full!

Working with one of your closest friends, delivering our Explosive Emotions workshop to such an engaged group of parents, and being reminded of the value of blending professional knowledge with real parenting experience.

Spending time in Limerick, seeing Marese settle into her new work life, and carving out space to plan what’s next for Cradle in 2026 left us feeling both excited and very grateful.

Thank you to the community who’ve been part of our journey this year! ✨

09/12/2025

01/12/2025

Have you ever consciously utilised the experience of nostalgia to help to ground you in positive and safe ways?
We are going to spend some time this month demonstrating how we ourselves practice different psychological processes in very simple ways in our own lives.
Let us know if there is something you would like to see specifically!