Play therapy

12/11/2026

I am delighted to be able to offer therapies and consultation in on Wednesdays aswell as .
Yesterday was all about families.
We were strengthening relationships, building , and promoting

British Association of Play Therapists Beyond Barriers CIC

02/11/2026

Misconceptions of Play Therapy: “It’s Just a Playroom!”

At first glance, a Play Therapy room might look like an ordinary playroom, filled with toys, art materials, sand, figures and opportunities for imaginative play.

But a Play Therapy room is much more than a space for children to play. It is a carefully considered clinical therapeutic environment.

Every aspect of the space is intentionally designed to support children's emotional expression, exploration and psychological wellbeing.

So, what makes a Play Therapy room different?

🧸 Purposefully selected resources: Toys and materials are chosen for their therapeutic potential, offering opportunities for symbolic expression, creativity, emotional exploration and processing.

🏠 A safe and consistent environment: Predictable boundaries, routines and a carefully maintained space help children develop a sense of emotional and psychological safety.

💬 A space for communication: Play provides children with opportunities to express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to communicate verbally.

💚 The therapeutic relationship: The Play Therapist's specialist skills, emotional attunement and understanding of the therapeutic process transform the use of the space and its resources into a meaningful therapeutic experience.

Importantly, it isn't the toys themselves that make Play Therapy therapeutic.

It is the combination of the carefully considered environment, the therapeutic relationship and the specialist skills of a trained Play Therapist.

What may look like ordinary play is taking place within a purposeful, professionally facilitated therapeutic process.

A Play Therapy room isn't simply somewhere children go to play. It's a clinical space where play becomes the language of therapy.

28/10/2026

Well it has been rather a stormy few days! ⛈️🌀
I hope you have found some glimmers to bring you sunshine! 🌞
Here are a couple of outdoor decorations that brought me joy!🥰
Can you spot the dog- having a cheeky sniff off the Halloween decorations!
Remember not all children (and adults) enjoy Halloween, it can feel scary and/or different- for them.
Please be safe and considerate of this around Halloween weekend- generally speaking choose houses of folk you know and before you knock- check out is there a pumpkin 🎃displayed. If not skip that house!

18/10/2026

I just love this!
I was 'introduced' to the work of Maya Angelou during my adolescence- while doing my A levels, when I read 'Why the Caged bird sings'. Reading it felt like a pivotal moment for me.
What an incredible woman Maya Angelou was; such an intelligent, strong and courageous woman. 💜

15/10/2026

Good morning.
Helpful advice here.

Thinking about using ChatGPT or AI for DIY therapy? Please read this first!

​AI can be great for brainstorming or summarizing, but using it as your therapist or one for your child carries real psychological risks, whether you're trying Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, or just talking through trauma.

​Here’s why self-directed AI therapy can backfire:
​🚨 It validates harmful thought loops: AI is programmed to agree with you. Instead of gently challenging distorted thoughts, it can feed into anxiety, paranoia, or depression.

​🚨 Premature trauma exposure: AI doesn't know when you're emotionally overwhelmed or dissociating. Uncovering deep trauma without a human therapist to ground you can lead to emotional flooding, panic or even psychosis.

​🚨 Zero real safety net: AI can’t read body language, detect subtle crisis cues, or step in during a mental health emergency.

​🚨 No privacy protections: Commercial AI chats aren't confidential.

​AI works best as a journal organizer or learning tool, not a substitute for human care, clinical judgment, and real human connection.
​Take care of your mind and the mind of your child! ❤️

14/10/2026

Today is Allied Health Professions Day, and this year's theme, "Allied health: For everyone, everywhere", is one play therapists understand deeply.

For children, "everyone" only becomes real when care meets them in their own language. That language is play.

Play therapists work across schools, hospitals, community services, early years settings, and private practice.

We hold postgraduate specialist training in play therapy, with ongoing supervised clinical practice and professional development. It is a rigorous pathway, built on standards.

Play therapy in Australia is still on its journey towards full professional recognition. Days like today remind me why that work matters: if allied health is truly for everyone, it must include our youngest Australians, and the developmentally appropriate therapies that reach them.

To every play therapist working with children, families, schools and communities: thank you.

14/10/2026

Here is a new video from British Association of Play Therapists about .
Do reach out if you have any concerns about your/a child or young person and you feel they may benefit from therapy or you may benefit from thinking space or support.

How do we hear a child who cannot find the words to explain how they feel?

Inspired by World Mental Health Day, the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) highlights the importance of listening to children's experiences and supporting their emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Children and young people may experience anxiety, bereavement, trauma, family difficulties, low mood and other emotional challenges. Play can provide a developmentally appropriate way for children to communicate, explore feelings and make sense of their experiences.

BAPT Registered Play Therapists® are specialist trained professionals who use play within a therapeutic relationship to support children and young people with a range of emotional and psychological needs.

This year's World Mental Health Day theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.” We invite parents, carers, educators, professionals and decision-makers to reflect on how we listen to children, understand their experiences and respond to their needs.

Sometimes, the most important conversations do not begin with words. They begin with play.

Link in Bio. or click here: https://youtu.be/KbUS96gxHLw

®

11/10/2026

Absolutely love this!
And it totally speaks to me!🤩
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Follow me for more life hacks 👌

10/10/2026

I stumbled across this today🥰- super cute illustration.🐝
It spoke to me, and left me thinking about some of the young people I know. We all need a little break sometimes, a time to pause, have a break from our phones or to practise self care in other ways.

10/10/2026

Every child deserves to feel safe and to have their mental health needs listened to, and attended to.

As a I listen with my eyes (and my other senses) as well as my ears.

My experience has shown me that children don't always have the words to articulate their thoughts and feelings. They require adult support. Listen and respond with
There are some lovely ideas of how to support and nurture a child's mentalhealth on this infographic.🤩
for
British Association of Play Therapists Beyond Barriers CIC