Cara Play Therapy

04/12/2025

16/10/2025

Hi everyone, I’m Emma-Louise, Play Therapist and owner here at Cara Play Therapy 🧸🌈

I’ve spent over 10 years working with children, beginning my journey as a Preschool and Montessori teacher before following my heart into the world of Play Therapy and beginning my training with NUIG.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children of all ages in so many wonderful spaces, from schools, family resource centres, and charities, to group programs, libraries, and now my own private practice, which was established in 2022.

There has been so much valuable learning throughout the years and still continues today. Through play, I’ve seen children express and process feelings they couldn’t find words for, build confidence, and reconnect with themselves in such amazing ways that in turn has helped them grow.

But most importantly, when words aren’t enough, play speaks. It’s how children express, heal, and make sense of their world.

What I love most about my work is watching children slowly begin to open up; to feel seen, valued, and accepted just as they are. That’s where the true healing begins.

25/05/2025

🥰✨️

09/11/2024

✨ Exciting News for 2025! ✨ I am thrilled to announce that starting from early New Year 2025, Play Therapy sessions and Parent/Guardian consultations will be offered in a new location of Rathangan, Co. Kildare! 🎉

Whether you’re seeking support for your child through play or looking for guidance in a warm, welcoming space, this new location is designed with care to nurture growth and connection. If this is something that interests you, please email caraplaytherapy@gmail.com for further information.

📆 Stay tuned for specific opening dates and booking details!

06/09/2022

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[ID: a view of a well-branched tree is seen from the ground up. The words “When a child is doing something she’s passionately interested in, she grows like a tree – in all directions. This is how children learn, how children grow. They send down a taproot like a tree in dry soil. The tree may be stunted, but it sends out these roots, and suddenly one of these little taproots goes down and strikes a source of water. And the whole tree grows.”
—John Holt is written on top of the image.]

01/09/2022

A great idea!

19/08/2022

Have you a little one starting school or preschool this September?

Remember the most important thing for children at times of transition is having ‘one good adult’ in their lives. Someone they can rely on to be a calm reassuring presence. This is a very strong protective factor for our children’s wellbeing. So, keep that in mind, your connection with your child is the most important support you can give!

I am always an advocate for reading to children about topics they are struggling with, or challenges they are facing. My favourite three books for children about to start school or preschool are:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Little Chester raccoon is nervous about starting school. After reassuring hm about new friends and toys, his mum gives him a kiss on his paw. She tells him to put is paw to his cheek whenever he misses her and know that her love will be with him wherever he goes.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. Jeremy and Liza’s mum reassures them that even though she might not be with them they are all connected by an invisible string. Even though they cannot see it with their eyes, they can feel it in their heart. Whenever they are missing her, her love travels along the string, and she feels it tug on her heart .

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. An old family favourite, Sarah, Percy and Bill wake up one night to find their mother is gone from their nest. Bill is very worried and Sarah and Percy do their best to comfort him while they wait. When she returns, she reassures them she will always come back to them.

I would love to hear if you have any other book recommendations!

Keep an eye on this page where I will be posting further advice about school start over the coming week or so.