Play & Art Therapy Waterford with Jenny Kiely

29/07/2026

I'm pleased to share this month's Children's Health and Wellbeing column in the Munster Express.

This month I explore the concept of co-facilitation through connection, acceptance, and reciprocal relationships found in nature. I also reflect on the growing conversation around "emotional based school avoidance", inviting readers to consider whether, for some children, they are rejecting school environments that are not meeting their regulatory needs.

The column explores how adapting opportunities for regulation during school break times through child led, unstructured play in nature, including opportunities for risky play, may offer a different perspective on supporting children's wellbeing, participation, and sense of belonging in school.

I hope you enjoy reading this month's column.
​

29/07/2026

I'm pleased to share this month's Children's Health and Wellbeing column in the Munster Express.

This month I explore the concept of co-facilitation through connection, acceptance, and reciprocal relationships found in nature. I also reflect on the growing conversation around "emotional based school avoidance", inviting readers to consider whether, for some children, it is not school they are rejecting but school environments that are not meeting their regulatory needs.

The column explores how adapting opportunities for regulation during school break times through child led, unstructured play in nature, including opportunities for risky play, may offer a different perspective on supporting children's wellbeing, participation, and sense of belonging in school.

I hope you enjoy reading this month's column.

29/05/2026

Delighted to share this week’s Children and Youth Well-Being column in The Munster Express ✨

This month's column explores Polyvagal Theory through therapeutic storytelling and metaphor, looking at how safety, connection, and the nervous system shape the emotional world of children, young people and adults.

Inspired every day by the beautiful young people in my life and the carers who walk beside them ❤️

12/02/2026

Valentine’s idea for parents ❤️

Write 10 things you love about your child inside a heart and give it to them on Valentine's day.

Take a photograph and look at it on the hard parenting days.

A simple gift they can keep forever.

Because the greatest love story is being their parent.

27/01/2026

One in five children now missing weeks of school and it’s disproportionately hitting disadvantaged communities. When children are absent, they’re communicating something. It’s time we listen to the voices of children and believe parents about what is really behind absenteeism.

The level of school absence has grown since the pandemic and is showing little sign of improvement, according to a report from the ESRI.

31/12/2025

31/12/2025

Play, art, and conversation are all languages.

Different therapeutic approaches support expression and growth at different stages of life, from child-led play, to creative processes, to integrative adolescent psychotherapy.

This carousel highlights how therapy adapts to development, not the other way around.

Play & Art Therapist
Integrative Adolescent Psychotherapy
IPTA • IACAT (Member)
📍 Waterford
✉️ Enquiries welcome

01/12/2025

Is your child or teen having a hard time managing their emotions?

Play therapy, art therapy, and psychotherapy offer gentle and effective support. 💛

✨ Now welcoming new children and adolescents.

📞 Contact by phone 086 3950494
📧 Or send an email to get started [email protected]

You’re not alone, support is available.

24/11/2025

A witty dive into the neuroscience of not giving quite so many ‘f*cks’ as we age. Ellen Scherr explores the neuroscience of why in midlife, our mental filter starts to short out and why it might actually be good for our brains.

https://www.blog.lifebranches.com/p/aging-out-of-f**ks-the-neuroscience?r=2rht90&fbclid=IwdGRjcAORjj9jbGNrA5GMlGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjCbDJL9eEYZMm-5f9VS9B-R_FAwUlXO_A5CmTUHDwhnrvVgaoS0PPfSDUrQ_aem_GSEh0QlkzzTdNGW2RQnZdg

Your brain's middle finger to people-pleasing

21/11/2025

A thoughtful reminder that the images young people share online rarely show the whole story. This talk opens space for compassion, honesty, and understanding, helping teens reflect on who they are beyond the pressures of social media, and supporting them in building a more grounded and authentic sense of self.

This talk gives an honest look at the modern teenage girl’s reality—comparison, cyber-pressure, loneliness, and the constant search for acceptance in a world...