Nourish Play Therapy

30/08/2026

Why might a child repeat the same play?

The same crash. The same rescue. The tower built, knocked down and built again.

Repetition is a natural part of children’s play. It may help a child practise new skills, create predictability, explore different possibilities, or revisit an experience in a way that feels manageable.

Rather than immediately changing or directing the play, adults can remain curious:

• What stays the same each time?
• What changes, even slightly?
• How does the child appear before, during and after the play?
• Does the play remain flexible and enjoyable, or is the child becoming increasingly distressed or stuck?

Repeated play does not have one fixed meaning and should never be interpreted in isolation. A child’s wider experiences, development and individual context all matter.

Within play therapy, a trained therapist observes play carefully over time while maintaining a consistent, safe and professionally boundaried space. The child is supported to communicate and explore at their own pace, without pressure to explain or move the story forward.

Sometimes repetition is not “going nowhere”. It may be part of how a child gradually works towards something new.

28/08/2026

It truly is ❤️

A moment of reflection from our therapy rooms to yours.

We hope these thoughts encourage curiosity, compassion, and confidence in your practice.

06/08/2026

Healing isn’t a straight line.

Some days you feel hopeful, capable and proud of how far you’ve come. Other days, old feelings return, progress feels invisible, and simply getting through the day takes everything you have.

That doesn’t mean you’re back at the beginning.

Setbacks can be part of recovery. Rest can be part of progress. Crying, pausing, asking for help, changing direction and trying again can all be signs that you’re still moving forward.

You are allowed to heal slowly. You are allowed to have difficult days. You are allowed to be proud of the small wins nobody else sees.

Keep going, one gentle step at a time. You may be further along than you realise.

FREE HEALING ISN’T LINEAR: RECOVERY JOURNEY VISUAL

LIKE the photo and comment "HEAL" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

23/07/2026

Window of Tolerance 🪟

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Comment ‘Tolerance’ ⬇️

Hyperarousal: Fight/Flight Response
- Anxiety and Panic
- Anger outbursts
- Emotional overwhelm
- Physical symptoms such as tension, shaking, heart racing, breathing quickly, teeling sick
- Feeling unsate
- Unable to rest
- Defensiveness
- Racing thoughts

Window of Tolerance: Feeling in control, safe, & able to regulate emotions.

Things that shrink our window:
- Stress
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Grief/Loss
- Physical illness
- Poor sleep
- Poor nutrition

Things that expand our window
- Self care
- Hobbies
- Movement
- Deep breathing
- Social support
- Positive self talk
- Mindfulness

Hypoarousal: Freeze Response
- Depression/Low Mood
- Emotional numbness
- Detachment
- Low Energy
- Dissociation
- Inability (or lack of desire) to speak
- Memory loss

23/07/2026

Children often arrive in therapy carrying feelings that have never been named, understood, or safely shared.

One of the most powerful experiences therapy can offer is helping a child discover that their thoughts and feelings can exist in another person's mind without being dismissed, judged, or becoming too much.

When a therapist remains curious, regulated, and emotionally available, the child begins to experience something profoundly important: my feelings are bearable, and so am I.

21/07/2026

Everyone talks about triggers.
Not enough people talk about glimmers.

They’re small moments that help your nervous system feel a little safer.
A little calmer.
It might be quiet.
Fresh air.
Music you love.
A person you feel safe around.

Nothing big. Nothing complicated.
Just small things your nervous system recognizes as “okay.”

They’re easy to miss.
When you’re in survival mode, your brain is wired to focus on what feels wrong or unsafe.

But once you start noticing glimmers, you realize they’re there more often than you thought.
And paying attention to them can help you understand what your system needs to come back to calm.

15/07/2026

11/07/2026

The Power of 15 Minutes: Why "Special Play Time" Matters

As parents and carers, it's easy to feel like we need to solve problems, teach lessons or keep life moving.

But sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply play.

Not organised activities.
Not educational games.
Not asking lots of questions.

Just 15 minutes of child led Special Play Time.

During this time:

Let your child choose what to play.

Follow their lead rather than directing the play.

Resist the urge to teach, correct or solve problems.

Describe what you notice rather than asking lots of questions.

Be fully present. Put your phone away and enjoy being together.

When children experience this kind of uninterrupted attention, they receive a powerful message:

"You matter."

"I enjoy spending time with you."

"Your ideas are important."

"You are accepted just as you are."

These moments help build connection, confidence and emotional security. Over time, they can strengthen your relationship and support your child's emotional wellbeing far more than we often realise.

You don't need expensive toys or elaborate activities.

You don't need hours of free time.

Just 15 minutes of uninterrupted, child led play can make a meaningful difference.

Your presence is the most valuable thing you can bring.

Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give our children isn't advice or answers.

It's our undivided attention.

Have you set aside 15 minutes of Special Play Time this week?

10/07/2026

💚 "Their behaviour seems worse since they started therapy…" 💚

It can feel worrying when a child begins therapy and you notice changes in their behaviour.

You might see more tears, bigger emotions, increased clinginess, more irritability, or periods where they seem more unsettled than usual.

This doesn't necessarily mean therapy isn't working.

In fact, it can be a sign that a child is beginning to feel safe enough to let out feelings they have been holding inside.

Many children spend so much energy masking, coping or "holding it together" that therapy becomes one of the first places where they feel secure enough to begin processing difficult emotions. As this happens, those feelings can sometimes spill over into home or school.

So, what can you do?

💚 Stay calm and consistent. Children borrow our calm when theirs is difficult to find.

💚 Remember that behaviour is communication. Try to be curious about what the behaviour might be telling you rather than focusing only on stopping it.

💚 Keep routines predictable. Familiar routines help children feel safe when emotions feel less predictable.

💚 Focus on connection before correction. Feeling understood often helps children regulate more effectively than consequences alone.

💚 Share any significant changes with your child's therapist. Your observations help build a fuller picture of how the child is coping outside the playroom.

💚 Be patient. Healing is rarely a straight line. There may be steps forwards, steps sideways and occasional steps backwards before lasting change is seen.

Above all, remember this:

A child who has spent a long time hiding their feelings may first need to feel them before they can learn to manage them.

Your calm, understanding and patience are a vital part of the therapeutic journey.