Play therapy

26/05/2026

Behaviour is often a child’s way of communicating something they do not yet have the words, understanding or emotional regulation to express.

Children who are struggling emotionally may show this through anger, aggression, defiance, shutting down, impulsivity or difficulties coping with boundaries and expectations. Whilst these behaviours can be challenging, they are often signs of stress, overwhelm or unmet emotional needs rather than a child simply “choosing” to behave badly.

Play therapy provides children with a safe space to explore feelings through play, creativity and the therapeutic relationship. Rather than relying on direct questioning, play therapy helps children express emotions in a way that feels natural and manageable for them developmentally.

Through co regulation, attuned responses and symbolic play, children can begin to understand their emotions, develop safer ways to communicate distress and strengthen their ability to regulate themselves over time.

When adults look beneath behaviour with curiosity and compassion, children are more able to feel understood and supported.

24/05/2026

22/05/2026

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22/05/2026

This is one of my favourite 💜🧠

22/05/2026

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21/05/2026

If you feel you would benefit from a thinking space, advice or support-
Do reach out to me directly or via the Retreat clinics.
experienced

Supporting a child with additional needs can bring love, joy, and connection, but it can also feel emotionally overwhelming at times.

Many parents spend so much time focusing on supporting everyone else that their own wellbeing gets pushed aside.

You don’t have to carry everything on your own.

Having the right support around you can make a meaningful difference, whether that’s guidance, reassurance, practical strategies, or simply having space to talk openly about how things feel.

Looking after yourself is not taking away from your child. It’s part of supporting your whole family with care.

20/05/2026

I have limited availability for parent consultation and therapy for children and Adolescents in my Manchester Clinics
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Parental separation can bring huge emotional changes for children, even when adults are working hard to protect them. Children may experience anxiety, confusion, divided loyalties, sadness, anger or worries about stability and relationships.
Often, children do not yet have the language or emotional development needed to explain these feelings directly. Instead, emotions may show through behaviour, sleep difficulties, emotional outbursts, withdrawal or changes at school.
Play therapy is developmentally appropriate because play is a child’s natural language. Within the safety of the therapeutic relationship, children can explore feelings symbolically and indirectly through play, creativity and sensory experiences. This can feel far safer than direct questioning or expecting children to sit and talk about painful emotions.
Play therapy supports emotional regulation, understanding and resilience whilst helping children make sense of changes in their family relationships. Importantly, it provides a consistent, attuned space where children can feel emotionally held during times of uncertainty.

19/05/2026

Government cuts to adoption therapy funding are having a widespread negative impact, according to a charity poll, with families caring for children with the hig

19/05/2026

Helpful resources here 🙏

18/05/2026

A lot of the children I see have experienced in their lives.
The younger children use play to process, whilst the older children and young people use play, creative resources and conversation.💜🧠
In my work with parents we consider how children can be supported to navigate this difficult experience.

Children experiencing loss and bereavement often do not process grief in the same way adults do. Their feelings may appear through behaviour, play, anger, withdrawal, clinginess, physical complaints or changes in school presentation rather than words alone.

Play therapy offers children a developmentally appropriate way to explore overwhelming emotions safely. Children naturally communicate through play long before they can fully explain complex feelings verbally. Through symbolic play, creativity, sensory experiences and the therapeutic relationship, children can begin to process confusion, sadness, fear and changes in their world.

Play therapy works because it meets children where they are developmentally, allowing them to express feelings at their own pace without pressure to “talk about it” before they are ready. A safe, attuned therapeutic relationship can help children feel understood, regulated and less alone in their grief.

For many children, healing begins not with finding the right words, but with feeling safe enough to play.