Kirsty Reynolds Creative Therapy

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

Constantly putting someone down or making them feel bad about themselves isn’t ok - these are all signs of emotional abuse.

However, our experienced team can help people to recover from emotional abuse, regardless of age.

If you know someone who needs support following emotional abuse, tell them to text NIDAS on 07860 063464.

17/06/2026

17/06/2026

MAP takes a holistic approach to tackling loneliness, and we have a wide selection of services to help young people who are experiencing it.

17/06/2026

The child who melts down gets support. The child who quietly disappears into themselves, never causes a fuss, always seems fine?

They can go a long time without anyone realising they're not.

Loud dysregulation is visible. Shutdown, masking, and hypoarousal are much harder to spot... especially in children who've learned early that falling apart isn't safe.

For parents, it's the child you worry about in the background. The one who seems okay but something just feels off.

For professionals, it's the one who never shows up on the radar because they're not disrupting anything.

Both need support. Both deserve to be seen. And being able to recognise the quieter signs is just as important as responding to the louder ones.

Sarah

17/06/2026

Children communicate through play.

In play therapy, toys become a child's words and play becomes their language. Long before children can explain complex feelings, they show us what they're thinking, feeling, and experiencing through play.

🎭 Using Toys as Symbols
A tiger might represent someone frightening, while a small hidden animal may reflect feelings of vulnerability. Through toys, children can safely express difficult emotions.

🏗️ Creating Stories Through Play
Children often replay experiences, build worlds, create order from chaos, or explore what they wish had happened.

🧩 Expressing Feelings Through Actions
Smashing playdough, throwing blocks, whispering to a doll, or hiding figures in the sand can all communicate emotions that words cannot.

⚖️ Testing Boundaries
Changing rules, making mistakes, or checking what happens when limits are challenged can reveal feelings of powerlessness, anxiety, or fear of failure.

🤝 Exploring Relationships
Children may assign the therapist different roles, helping us understand how they experience adults, trust, safety, and connection.

Every toy, action, and interaction tells a story. Our role is to listen.