Play therapy

04/05/2026

Hope your has been restful, restorative and playful?
As ever, I have spent a fair bit of time
Walking and 'noticing' all the signs of 💜🙏
What is your weekend ?
Anyone who knows me will know I love taking photos- flowers are one of my fave 'subjects'- easier to photograph because they don't move!
Here are a few 💜🙏

02/05/2026

I see and hear this often in my work with children and families.

Some children don’t cause concern because they don’t cause disruption.

They sit quietly. They follow instructions. They don’t ask for help. They don’t draw attention.

And so… they’re often missed.

But quiet doesn’t always mean content.

Sometimes it means “I don’t feel safe to speak.”
Sometimes it means “I’m working so hard to fit in.”
Sometimes it means “I’ve shut down to cope.”

The child who is “no trouble at all” may be carrying the heaviest load inside.

Not all distress is loud.
Not all struggle is visible.

If this resonates, you’re not alone—and there are ways to gently support what’s going on beneath the surface.

If you’d like practical tools to support children with anxiety, masking, and emotional shutdown, my Masking Toolkit is linked in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.

30/04/2026

This is lovely.💜🧠
🙏Tom - The Dad Vibes
So helpful - .
As part of my introduction to work with children- I talk about my role in 'supporting' with big .
In my work with professional and - I talk lots about the benefit of naming and validating feelings, share lots of information about the brain, and .
These videos are another great tool🙏


British Association of Play Therapists
Greenside Primary School

29/04/2026

🌳 Did you know that a single walk in a forest can measurably improve your wellbeing?

have created free in 18 of the nation’s forests! The study, led by the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby, found that even one walk on a wellbeing trail led to significant improvements in happiness, nature connectedness and social connectedness - alongside reductions in anxiety and negative thinking.

What makes these trails special is the way they're designed. Rather than simply walking through the forest, participants are invited to slow down, notice their surroundings and truly engage with nature through their senses. It's this quality of connection - not just the time spent outdoors - that seems to make the biggest difference.

Especially encouraging: the greatest benefits were seen among people who started with lower levels of wellbeing. These trails have real potential to support those who are feeling stressed, disconnected or looking for a gentle way back to nature.

At the Network of Wellbeing, this resonates deeply with everything we believe about how community, nature and inner life are connected.

🌲 Find your nearest Forestry England Wellbeing Trail and download a free forest wellbeing journal here:
👉 https://www.forestryengland.uk/wellbeing-trails

📖 Read the full research article:
👉 https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/new-research-shows-benefits-forestry-england-wellbeing-trails

28/04/2026

This is really important- look after your mind and your body.
Setting healthy boundaries.
Consider ways to look after your and .
Look at outlets for:
and
Access and as and when you need it.

Stress triggers your body’s natural fight‑or‑flight response, which is your system gearing up to protect you when something feels challenging or overwhelming.

When stress hormones kick in, they speed up your heartbeat, sharpen your breathing, tense your muscles, and redirect blood flow so you’re ready to react.

Here are some of the ways it can affect your body and mind.

27/04/2026

Back to again, can go so quickly.
Hope your weekend was and .
I caught a glimpse on the news of the many incredible folk who took part in the yesterday 🥳💜
So many inspirational participants, with their own stories,on their own journeys 💜🙏
Well done to you all!
I run, as part of my ..I am certainly not marathon material but I do it because I can and I should. It buys me a bit of headspace and keeps me well!
So today think of what you can do for you, maybe try something new or something familiar.
Notice how you feel as a result💜🧠

26/04/2026

Creativity and having a go at 'making' is something encouraged and celebrated in our home.💜
I feel it is good for us in so many ways.🧠💜
My daughter's A level work is pride of place on our wall.🥰.
I hope it is a skill/hobby she can continue into .

26/04/2026

Active April - Day 26: Take an extra break in your day and walk outside for 15 minutes https://actionforhappiness.org/active-april

26/04/2026

This is a helpful resource🧠💜
I work with many children who 'present' differently in school and home.

It makes total sense when you think about it!

As a professional, I think it is important to listen to parents as they share their experiences of parenting. We can then understand and potentially offer support to support and their children.

Noticing, observing and listening children including in school, carefully- to better understand their needs is crucial.

These children may benefit from support within school, in the classroom and from the pastoral team.

I do appreciate that this is difficult in big and busy classes. Do draw upon the SEN/specialist teams- for consultation or to observation.

Do get in touch if you need further support.💜

SECOND CHANCE SUNDAY

When school says “they’re fine”… but home tells a different story

If your child comes home and unravels, melts down, or completely shuts off, you’re not imagining it. You’re seeing the cost of holding it all together all day.

Masking doesn’t mean coping — it means surviving

Many children work incredibly hard to appear “okay” in school. They follow the rules, keep it together, and push through discomfort… but it comes at a cost. What you see at home is often the emotional release of that effort.

After-school collapse is communication

The tears, anger, or withdrawal aren’t misbehaviour. They’re a signal your child finally feels safe enough to let go. Home is where the mask can drop.

Your response shapes their sense of safety

When we meet that moment with calm, acceptance, and understanding, we teach our child: you don’t have to perform to be loved here.

Support doesn’t mean fixing

It means creating space to rest, decompress, and be themselves without pressure, questions, or expectations.

You’re not getting it wrong — you’re seeing the truth

And that insight matters more than any school report ever could.

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.

For deeper support, our Masking Toolkit is available — link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

25/04/2026

True and a lovely video🥰
Better still actively observe and listen💜🧠-with .





British Association of Play Therapists
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

25/04/2026

Can you support this charity?


Forever Friends of Uganda

25/04/2026

Beautiful walk this morning with the (s).
This sign made me smile and think back to my memories of in the early days.
Maybe I should have had this on a t shirt🤣




Quarry Bank Mill