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The Play Pod

Play Therapist/Counsellor (PTUK)
Dreaming up a mobile therapeutic pod 🚐
Ex Primary school teacher of 16 yrs
Mum to two 💕
Worcestershire, UK

04/11/2026

B IS FOR BIG!
Big feelings are hard for grown ups too. 🤍

"What's the matter with you?" can land as "there's something the matter with me."

"I wonder what your body is telling you" invites a child to know their body and feel safe in it.

I've said the first one during my teacher days and a mum of two. As a play therapist, I now start with me: What's coming up for me? Then I become curious with the behaviour.

When I was a teacher I created this guide using gentle scripts for staff when children's feelings got big. Now I use these words in Play Therapy sessions as a therapist and at home with my two children.

Now it's time to share this with you: a free script guide with gentle language for the moments when you want to connect but don't know where to start:

Here are a few starting points:

🍷 I wonder… curiosity without pressure
🍷 I imagine… validating their inner world
🍷 I notice… grounding and gentle noticing
🍷 Empathy… you're not alone

Choose one sentence. Slow down. Listen for what comes next.

👉 Grab your free guide via the link in my bio.

30/10/2026

T IS FOR TRAINING
I have never been on a course that starts on a buzz and ends in tears. All the feels!

Last week I was very fortunate enough to attend the Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy with the amazing Lisa Dion Synergetic PlayTherapy

I was left with so much wonder and curiosity about my therapeutic work but also a new outlook and reframe on human kind. Mind blowing stuff!

In true Play Pod style I thought I would capture my thoughts and feelings on this training through alliteration. So here goes... Lisa Dion in words...

L is for Learning: learning that opened up so many new possibilities for growth and change in my play therapy practice.

I is for Insightful: insightful explanations about how the brain works and how this understanding can be applied in therapeutic work.

S is for Simple: complex concepts explained in simple, accessible language that made them easy to understand and integrate.

A is for Attunement: a powerful reminder that being attuned to ourselves is essential, and how this self awareness can be translated into our work with children and young people.

D is for Demonstrations: brilliant examples throughout the training that brought the theory to life and made it feel practical and achievable.

I is for Inspiring: inspiring a fresh perspective on therapeutic relationships and creating excitement about developing my practice further.

O is for Openness: openness to reframing how we work with parents and carers, recognising the importance of supporting the whole system around the child.

N is for Nurturing: the course was held in such a nurturing and well contained space, allowing participants to feel safe enough to reflect, learn and grow.

Finally...

S is for Shift: a genuine shift in how I think about my role as a therapist, my relationship with parents, and the importance of my own regulation within the therapeutic process... Quite frankly in the rest of my life.

It starts within ❤️

26/10/2026

S IS FOR SELF CARE
Self care: anyone else's self care doesn't always go to plan? 😂

Another bath. Another "me time" that turned into one more thing on the to do list.

If you've ever sat there thinking "I'm doing the self care, so why do I still feel like this?", you're not failing. You're human.

When I was teaching, I was so burnt out I didn't have a clue what I needed. I just knew something had to change. I tried all the things I was "supposed" to do, but none of it landed until I stopped doing self care and started attuning to self.

As a play therapist, with 16 years in education behind me, I see this in parents and professionals all the time. We're so busy tuning in to everyone else that our own signals get lost.

So before the next "should", try this:
🌿 What's coming up for you?
🌿 What is your body telling you?
🌿 What do I actually need right now?

Make the unknown known. Small, gentle and yours. That's where the rest begins.

💬 Tell me in the comments: what's your body telling you today?

Sending solidarity to all parents at home this half term break 💕

25/10/2026

A IS FOR ATTUNEMENT to self

A real life example for you this morning 💜

24/10/2026

W IS FOR WHAT
What do you need for you right now?

Little reflection from me this morning 💜

❤️

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