Natasha Manwell Psychotherapy

04/01/2026

09/11/2025

✨ Exciting News! ✨
Join us for the Grand Opening of and on Thursday, September 18th from 5–8pm! 💫

I’ll be there to chat and connect with youth and families about mental health support.💙 This is a wonderful chance to meet the teams, learn about local services, and celebrate together!

📍 Location: 767 Notre-Dame St Suite 208, Embrun, ON, K0A 1W0 (Next to the Boston Pizza Entrance)
🗓 Thursday, September 18th | 5–8pm

Come say hi—I’d love to see you there! 💐

09/02/2025

From a Child-Centered Play Therapy perspective, one of the most powerful things you can give your child during this transition isn’t advice, problem-solving, or pressure to “be ready”—it’s connection.

Children thrive when they feel:
💙 Seen
💙 Accepted just as they are
💙 Not alone in their feelings

This doesn’t require hours of extra time—just small, consistent moments: sitting with them while they play, listening without rushing, or creating a simple daily ritual like a check-in at bedtime.

These moments of connection remind your child: “I am safe, I am understood, and I can handle what’s ahead.”

Back-to-school is about more than supplies and schedules—it’s about nurturing the relationship that helps your child grow with confidence. 🌟

🧠 Note: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional therapy or serve as a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional.

📷Tiny Tales Photography

08/22/2025

Calm Space for Kids:

🏡 Create a safe corner in your home for your child to release frustration.

🛋️ Add comforting items: pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or sensory toys.

✏️ Include tools for active release: stress balls, fidget toys, or drawing supplies.

🎵 Soft lighting or gentle music can help create a calming atmosphere.

💥 Encourage active ways to let out anger safely: jumping, hitting a pillow, tearing paper, or using stress balls.

💖 Let the space be for safety and growth—not punishment.

🌟 Check in gently, respect independence, and celebrate small steps in emotional regulation.

🧠 Note: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional therapy or serve as a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional.
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Espace calme pour les enfants :

🏡 Créez un coin sécuritaire dans votre maison pour que votre enfant puisse libérer sa frustration.

🛋️ Ajoutez des éléments réconfortants : coussins, couvertures, peluches ou jouets sensoriels.

✏️ Incluez des outils pour une libération active : balles anti-stress, jouets à manipuler ou matériel pour dessiner.

🎵 Une lumière douce ou de la musique calme peut créer une atmosphère apaisante.

💥 Encouragez des façons actives de libérer la colère en toute sécurité : sauter, frapper un coussin, déchirer du papier ou utiliser des balles anti-stress.

💖 Que l’espace soit un lieu de sécurité et de développement, pas de punition.

🌟 Vérifiez doucement comment il se sent, respectez son indépendance et célébrez chaque petit progrès.

08/19/2025

Playful Connection:

🤝 Playful connection strengthens the bond between you and your child.

😂 Laugh, explore, and be silly together to bring joy to everyday moments.

🛡️ Play helps your child feel safe, seen, and valued.

🎉 Try fun activities like:

💃 Silly dances in the living room

🧠 Imaginative games and storytelling

😜 Funny face contests

❤️ Small, intentional moments of play build a foundation of trust and emotional connection that lasts a lifetime.

🌟 Make play a priority—it’s more than fun; it’s love in action!

🧠 Note: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional therapy or serve as a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional.

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Connexion par le jeu :

🤝 La connexion par le jeu renforce le lien entre vous et votre enfant.

😂 Riez, explorez et amusez-vous ensemble pour apporter de la joie au quotidien.

🛡️ Le jeu aide votre enfant à se sentir en sécurité, reconnu et apprécié.

🎉 Essayez des activités amusantes comme :

💃 Une danse rigolote dans le salon

🧠 Des jeux et histoires d’imagination

😜 Un concours de grimaces

❤️ Ces petits moments intentionnels de jeu créent une base de confiance et de lien affectif qui durera toute la vie.

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08/15/2025

💛 Co-réguler : un cadeau pour le cœur et le cerveau de ton enfant 💛

La co-régulation, c’est quand un adulte calme aide un enfant à retrouver son calme et à gérer ses émotions, surtout dans les moments difficiles.
Quand ton enfant vit un gros stress, il a besoin de ton calme comme repère.

💡 Pourquoi c’est important?

Ça renforce le lien de confiance

Ça aide le cerveau à apprendre comment se calmer

Ça réduit l’anxiété et les comportements impulsifs

Ça favorise la résilience

🌱 Comment faire?

Respire lentement et parle doucement

Reconnais ce que ton enfant ressent

Offre une présence rassurante (regard, gestes calmes, ton de voix doux)

Avec le temps, ton enfant apprendra à gérer ses émotions par lui-même… grâce à toi. 💕


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💛 Co-Regulation: A Gift for Your Child’s Heart and Brain 💛

Co-regulation is when a calm adult helps a child regain their calm and manage their emotions, especially in tough moments.
When your child is under big stress, they need your calm as their anchor.

💡 Why it matters:

Strengthens trust and connection

Teaches the brain how to self-soothe

Reduces anxiety and impulsive behaviours

Builds resilience

🌱 How to do it:

Breathe slowly and speak gently

Acknowledge your child’s feelings

Offer a reassuring presence (eye contact, calm gestures, soft tone)

Over time, your child will learn to regulate their emotions on their own… because of you. 💕

🧠 Note: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional therapy or serve as a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional.

08/08/2025

🌟 When “Perfect” Feels Too Hard 💔

Ever see your child give up on something they care about because it’s not just right?
That can be perfectionism — and it’s more common than you’d think.

This post shares gentle ways to respond so kids feel loved, supported, and encouraged to keep trying. 💛

Swipe through to learn how self-esteem-building words can make all the difference.



🧠 Note: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional therapy or serve as a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional.

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🌟 Quand le « Parfait » semble trop difficile 💔

Est-ce que ton enfant abandonne quand ce n’est pas exactement comme il voulait?
Ça peut être du perfectionnisme — c’est plus fréquent qu’on pense.

Dans ce carrousel, découvre des façons bienveillantes de réagir pour aider ton enfant à se sentir soutenu et encouragé à continuer d’essayer. 💛

Glisse pour voir des exemples concrets de réponses qui nourrissent l’estime de soi.

08/04/2025

Swipe through to learn how ACT (Acknowledge–Communicate–Target) helps set loving limits in play therapy.
Boundaries and empathy can go hand-in-hand. 💛
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Faites défiler pour découvrir la méthode ACT en thérapie par le jeu.
Avec ACT, on guide avec douceur et respect. 💛

🧠 Note: This post is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional therapy or serve as a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional.