Play Therapy Tauranga

12/02/2026

We have exciting news for you...and a huge favour to ask..

Bay Paediatrics is a finalist for the People’s Choice Award at the upcoming 2026 Tauranga Business Awards.

It's a huge honour to be a finalist, and we're so proud that our paediatricians, psychiatrists, neurodevelopmental experts and the wider team are being recognised for their amazing work.

This award is totally decided by votes from the general public, so I would be forever grateful if you could vote for us.

It takes literally 10 seconds....

👉 Click on the link in the comments.

🏥 Select 'Bay Paediatrics'

✅ Click submit.

Why should you do this?

We don't get a fancy prize or a big cheque for winning. But this isn't about money or trophies, this is about recognising the tireless work of our team to serve families in the Bay and beyond.

Plus, if we can get more public awareness for child neurodivergence, this means more support, funding and tools for the families, schools and organisations that need it most.

The Final Ask...

We don't have a big social media following, nor a huge marketing budget (we've been too busy increasing our clinic capacity and helping families to focus on TikToks or 'audience engagement')...

So the BIG ask is that you share this email and voting link as widely as you can: Facebook groups, social media, schools, parents, teachers, families, colleagues, clients, networks, customers and friends.

Every vote counts. Because every child counts.

Thank you!

11/02/2026

For all caregivers /parents ❤️

09/02/2026

Our What Is.... Series - today, INTEROCEPTION.

The hidden sense behind emotional regulation.

If a child seems to “go from 0 to 100” with no warning…

If they melt down suddenly…
If they struggle to tell you what’s wrong until they’re already overwhelmed…

There’s often a hidden sense behind it — interoception.

Today’s one-page visual breaks down what interoception is, why it’s so important for emotional regulation, and how you can gently support a young person whose internal signals feel confusing or too loud.

If you’d like the free parent information sheet to go with it, follow the directions in the visual, ensuring you LIKE the post and I’ll send you the Dropbox link. ⬇️

31/01/2026

SECOND CHANCE SUNDAY

When screen battles feel never-ending
You’re not imagining it — transitions are harder for a child’s brain than we often realise. Especially for neurodivergent young people, coming away from a screen isn’t a behaviour choice. It’s a nervous system shift.

When the dopamine drop hits
Screens create focus, comfort and predictable reward — so stopping suddenly can feel like falling off a cliff. Understanding the brain chemistry behind the struggle helps us respond with support, not frustration.

When it’s not defiance at all
So many meltdowns are simply a child overwhelmed by the jump from one state to another. Their brain isn’t misbehaving — it’s protecting them from overload.

When we can make transitions kinder
A few small changes — connection first, visual cues, sensory bridges, predictable rituals — can transform the experience for everyone at home or in the classroom.

When calm replaces conflict
The goal isn’t to remove screens. It’s to remove the stress around the transition. When we honour the brain, the battles ease.

When you want deeper support
If screens, meltdowns or dysregulation are daily challenges, my behaviour and emotional regulation toolkits walk you through scripts, routines and practical brain-based strategies. Link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

31/01/2026

Helpful tips for meal times

Autism and 'picky eating' get talked about like it’s a phase… or a behaviour problem to fix. But for many autistic children, food can genuinely feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and unsafe — and that changes everything about how we need to support them.

Based upon recent research (e.g. Mathew et al., 2022) showing that children on the autism spectrum are significantly more likely to have feeding difficulties, reduced dietary variety and lower diet quality compared to non-autistic peers, it’s clear that eating behaviours in autism are less about mere 'pickiness' and more about sensory, neurological and regulatory challenges that need targeted support.

In this visual, I’m breaking down what’s really going on underneath food refusal and restricted eating — and how we can respond in ways that protect trust, reduce stress, and build gentle progress over time.

30/01/2026

The power of play !

David Levy’s concept of release therapy highlighted a foundational truth that continues to shape play therapy today: children heal through play itself. By allowing children to re-experience distressing events through play in order to release associated emotions and tension, Levy emphasised that it is the act of playing rather than interpretation that holds therapeutic power.

While Levy’s approach was more structured and therapist-led, his belief in play as a natural medium for emotional expression paved the way for child-centred play therapy, where the child’s self-directed play is trusted as the primary agent of change.

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18/01/2026

This week we’re exploring the roots of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic play therapy, and one of the most influential figures in this field was Melanie Klein.

Rather than seeing play as “just play,” Klein understood it as meaningful communication. Through observing themes, repetition, and symbolism in play, she believed therapists could gain insight into a child’s emotional experiences and support them to process anxiety, fear, and relationships in a safe, contained way.

Her work laid important foundations for many therapeutic approaches used today and continues to influence how play therapists think about symbolic expression, emotional meaning, and the therapeutic relationship.

✨ Play isn’t an add-on — it’s a child’s voice.

18/01/2026

Do you enjoy my posts about parenting? This post made the cut for my latest book. It’s a concept I’ve never seen before and I’m excited to be the first content creator to do this. I’ve taken my posts and created a book. The book is visually appealing and easy to read, just like when we scroll online or read a book to our child. You can read one post or a whole section. I know I’m bias but it is a must have for all parents who enjoy this page. It is also a way to pass on the knowledge you have gained from this account, to someone else.

Title: Love Grows: A Collection of Works By J. Milburn

Link in comments

19/12/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from us all at Play Therapy Tauranga

19/12/2025

07/12/2025

Great to have presented alongside positive mindset too !

At Positive Mindset Challenge, we love celebrating the incredible mahi others are doing to support tamariki, rangatahi in our communities.

This week, we’re giving a special shout-out to Play Therapy Tauranga.

We recently had the pleasure of presenting alongside Sol Marques (Clinical Psychologist) and Melanie Gilbert-De Rios (Child-Centred Play Therapist) at the EPIC Families Conference in Tauranga.

Here’s a quote that really stuck with us:
“Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain, unless it is done with play, in which case it takes between 10 and 20 repetitions.”
— Dr Karyn Purvis

Such a powerful reminder of how play supports learning, healing and connection.
If you’re in Tauranga, check out Play Therapy Tauranga to learn more about their inspiring work.

15/11/2025

Words Worth Holding Onto is a gentle collection of quotes, reminders and affirmations for children and young people navigating big feelings. Sometimes, the right words at the right time can make all the difference.

Timeline of a Meltdown Resource
Electronic download available at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.