Sarah Drake’s Therapeutic Play Therapy

16/08/2026

02/08/2026

Dr. Garry Landreth, in the excerpt below, from his renowned book, Play Therapy, The Art of the Relationship - 4th Edition, reminds us that in Child-Centered Play Therapy, it’s easy to feel like the therapist should always be doing something—asking the right question, finding the perfect response, or helping the child get to the “important part.”

But children don’t need to rush the moment. They need the therapist to be fully present in it.

When the therapist slows down enough to truly be with a child, the relationship grows. And it is within that therapeutic relationship that the deepest healing begins 💛

01/08/2026

Skill development doesn't happen because we want it to. It happens because the brain is ready for it.

It's easy to assume a child is choosing not to wait, cope with disappointment, manage frustration or stay organised. But many of these abilities rely on brain networks that are still developing.

That doesn't mean we stop teaching. It means we match our expectations to where our child is today, while supporting the skills they're still building.

Instead of asking,
"Why won't they?"

Try asking,
"Can they... yet?"

That small shift changes how we respond—and often changes what happens next.

More practical, research-based parenting resources: www.thetherapistparent.com

30/07/2026

via The Therapist Parent

29/07/2026

Such an important message 👌

25/07/2026

Let calmness be your superpower today. You can't control how other people behave. You can't control everything that happens in life. What you can control is how you respond to it all.

25/07/2026

Have you ever noticed that the child who is crying gets support, but the child who goes quiet is often expected to "be fine"?

We tend to notice dysregulation when it's loud.

But dysregulation isn't defined by volume. It's defined by a nervous system that has become overwhelmed.

Some children externalise their stress:
• Crying
• Arguing
• Yelling
• Throwing things

Others internalise it:
• Shutting down
• Going silent
• Agreeing with everything
• Withdrawing
• Wanting to escape

Neither response tells us how much a child is struggling.

It only tells us how their nervous system responds to stress.

The quiet child isn't necessarily coping better. They may simply be coping differently.

As parents, teachers and caregivers, we need to notice the children who don't ask for help as much as those who can't stop asking.

Have you ever realised your child was overwhelmed only after they became quiet?
If so, what was the sign you almost missed?

— Krysten Taprell | The Therapist Parent

📚 More evidence-based parenting resources:
www.thetherapistparent.com

23/07/2026

Just in case.

Just in case…Everyone, stay safe. Big day tomorrow. It’s official. Signed at 6:00am. It was even on TV. Don't forget that tomorrow marks the start of the new Facebook rule (also known as Meta), which allows them to use your photos. Don't forget the deadline is today!!!
According to the show 60 Minutes:
Just in case you missed it: a lawyer advised us to post this. The violation of privacy can be punished by law. NOTE: Facebook Meta is now a public entity. Every member must post a note like this. If you do not publish a statement at least once, it will be technically understood that you are allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates.

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA.

Hold your finger anywhere in this message and “copy” will appear. Click “copy. Then go to your page, create a new post, and place your finger anywhere in the empty field. “Paste” will appear, and click paste .

22/06/2026