Play Connection - Galway

07/10/2026

A little bit about me… because it’s probably useful to know who you’re letting loose with your child 🤣

05/10/2026

Ever notice how one child can push your buttons in a way no one else does? 🤪😳🤪😳

Sometimes it’s because they’re so much like us.
Sometimes it’s because they’re nothing like us. 😂

The child who needs lots of reassurance when you’re naturally very independent.

The child who needs movement and noise when you’re craving quiet.

The child who wants to talk EVERYTHING through when you just want everyone to stop talking. 😅🫣

And sometimes, without even realising it, our children can shine a little mirror back at us. 🪞

Not because we’re doing anything wrong.
Just because we’re human.

Every child is different. Which means that what works for one child doesn’t necessarily work for another.......even when they’re growing up in the same house!

Sometimes the helpful bit is simply noticing......

“Why is this particular behaviour getting such a big reaction from me?”

And giving yourself a little pause before you respond.

Not always easy.
It's definitely not about getting it right every time.

Just about becoming a little more curious about what’s happening for BOTH of you.

Because sometimes our children aren’t trying to push our buttons…..

They’ve just found them. ❤️

And if you find yourself stuck in the same battles with your child over and over again, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Parent support can sometimes help us understand what’s happening underneath the behaviour...... and find a different way forward.

01/10/2026

A little glimpse into my playroom.

This is where I spend a surprising amount of my week covered in slime, glitter, paint and generally wondering where all the tiny pieces of Lego and orbies have disappeared to 😂

But honestly, I love this room.
It’s a space where children can play, create, move, make a mess, be silly, be quiet, and sometimes work through some really big feelings without having to find all the words.

No two sessions look the same. One day we might be making slime, the next building a fort, and sometimes the most important thing that happens is… absolutely nothing.

My job is to meet each child where they are, follow their lead and provide a space where they feel safe, accepted and understood.
And yes, I do occasionally get to sit down. 😂

29/08/2026

September appointments

Summer is nearly over, and I'm getting ready to head back into the therapy room.

I currently have a small number of spaces available for Play Therapy and Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy.

If you're looking for support for your child or young person, please feel free to send me a message or give me a call.

😊

20/07/2026

I listened to a podcast (Brenna Hicks) recently about children’s behaviour, and one idea really stood out with me.

How often do we describe children as “manipulative”? I hear it alot from families that I meet.

As parents (and therapists!), it’s so easy to feel like we’ve been manipulated when we’ve said no… and five minutes later we’ve changed our minds because the crying, shouting or protesting just became too much.

The truth is, I’ve been there too. Sometimes you pick your battles. Sometimes you’re exhausted. Sometimes you just need to get through the supermarket or finish making dinner. Parenting isn’t about getting it right every time.

What struck me was this….. children aren’t experiencing that moment the way adults do. They’re usually not trying to outsmart us…. they’re overwhelmed by their feelings and doing what they’ve learned helps them get their needs met.

That doesn’t mean we should always give in. In fact, children thrive with predictable, consistent boundaries. They don’t have to like the boundary, but they do need to know it’s safe and reliable.

Consistency is hard. Really hard.
But it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give our children because it helps them learn that big feelings are okay, even when the answer is still “no.”

I’d love to know… have you ever caught yourself thinking, “They’re manipulating me,” only to look at it differently afterwards?

Parenting is messy. We’re all learning. ☺️

18/06/2026

🌈 Looking for a summer camp with a difference? 🌈

Join us for a fun-filled time of creativity, connection and play!
• Creative arts and crafts
• Movement and games
• Team challenges
• Messy play
• Friendship-building activities
• Mindfulness and emotional wellbeing.

Supporting confidence, connection and friendship skills through play.

Led by two qualified Play Therapists, our camp provides a fun, supportive environment where children can build confidence, make connections and enjoy being themselves.

Date: 14th–18th July
Where: Scoil Cholmáin Tuairini, Moycullen
- Small groups
- Limited spaces available

Perfect for children who enjoy creativity, imagination, movement and making new friends in a smaller-group setting.

For more information, please email:
[email protected]
or
[email protected]

Or feel free to send us through a direct message.

12/04/2026

Transitions can be surprisingly hard for kids… especially when the world feels unpredictable.

What we might see as “just moving on” can feel like a loss of control, or even fear for a child’s nervous system.

When we are able to slow down, prepare them and stay connected, we’re not just preventing meltdowns.:… we’re building a sense of safety.

Safety first and then behaviour follows.

07/03/2026

Many parents feel unsure about how to choose the right therapist for their child.

In Ireland, there are different professionals who support children’s emotional wellbeing, each with their own training pathways and approaches.

This post is a simple guide to help you understand,

• the different types of training
• the professional standards to look for
• where to find a qualified play therapist
• questions you can ask before starting therapy

The most important thing is finding the right fit for your child and your family.

You can find a qualified play therapist through the Irish Association of Play Therapy and Psychotherapy directory: www.iaptp.ie

For transparency, I am a pre-accredited Play Therapist, trained through the Children’s Therapy Centre.
I follow the professional standards of the Irish Association of Play Therapy and Psychotherapy and hold professional indemnity insurance.

I am currently completing my accreditation and expect to become a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist in August.

18/01/2026

When children struggle, it’s not bad behaviour….. it’s a nervous system asking for some help.

So often we think “What’s wrong with my child??”
when the more helpful question is:
“What does my child need right now?”

There is no one right or wrong response.
What helps one day might not help the next (which can also be frustrating 🤯).

Regulation isn’t about fixing or stopping feelings.
It’s about meeting the child where their body is and offering safety through connection.

Sometimes that looks like movement.
Sometimes it looks like presence.
Sometimes it looks like play, rhythm, or simply being nearby.

When we slow down and follow the child, their nervous system learns:
💚 I am safe.
💚 I am understood.
💚 I don’t have to handle this alone.

Save this post for the days that feel hard…. for you and for them 🥰

04/01/2026