The Spiral Tree Therapy Services LTD

06/02/2026

Been playing with the 3d printer i wonder what else I can make for my play therapy kit.

This one holds UNO cards..

What else would you like to see?

Some ideas I’m already working on:
• Emotion cubes with faces and symbols
• a jail.
• Sand tray mini containers
• Timer housings for visual countdowns
• Card holders for therapy games
• Small miniatures for sand tray

If you’re a therapist, teacher, or parent, tell me what would actually help in your setting.

20/01/2026

Another week ready to begin in the play therapy room.

• Play gives children a safe way to show what words cannot.
• Small moments in play often lead to big shifts in confidence and emotional safety.
• Consistency matters. Same room, same time, same adult. That builds trust.
• Progress can look quiet. A child staying longer, trying something new, or returning after a wobble.

I am looking forward to supporting children and families again this week.

07/12/2025

I did a thing!!!!

Really happy to share that I have passed my Level 3 Certificate in Leading Forest School.

This means I can now offer even stronger outdoor sessions that focus on play.

05/11/2025

Me and fellow play therapist spent some of the half term painting the playrooms in one of schools. Look and feels brilliant. All the children have responded by saying it feels better now. They were all told about the change before so no surprises.

05/11/2025

I have lots of bridges in my play room I also have lots of bits of wood that children use to make bridges. It’s always amazing and a great privilege to witness their process at first hand.

A bridge in the sand tray can mean many things for a child. It often shows a move from one place to another. You might see a bridge when a child is thinking about change or connection.

Children might use a bridge to show:
• A way to reach someone they care about
• A path over a worry or fear
• A safe route between two sides of a story
• Hope for what comes next
• A link between home and school or two families

You can watch how the child uses the bridge:
• Do they cross it or block it
• Who gets to go over
• What is on each side

A simple bridge can show how a child feels about the steps they are taking in their life right now.

08/10/2025

In play therapy, masks can help children express what feels hidden or hard to say.

A blank mask gives a safe distance between how a child feels and what they show. It can help them:
• Explore feelings that are too big or confusing
• Show the difference between how they look on the outside and how they feel inside
• Try out different roles or voices
• Make sense of identity, control, or fear
• Tell stories or act out situations safely
And so much more.

Sometimes the front of the mask shows how others see them, while the back shows what they keep inside. Others might decorate one to show change over time, like moving from sadness to confidence.

Mask work is powerful because it lets children “show without saying.” It’s creative, safe, and often leads to new understanding.

Have you ever noticed how much easier it can be to talk when you don’t have to be yourself for a moment?

29/09/2025

One of the most used tools in my playroom is the doll’s house.

It is more than a toy.

Children use it to:
• Act out family life and daily routines
• Show feelings that are hard to put into words
• Try out new solutions to problems
• Gain a sense of control by moving pieces and creating stories
• Create safe bases or even “evil layers” for their stories
• Explore more than one house when that reflects their own life

Every scene has meaning, and every story helps us understand how a child sees their world.

25/09/2025

Thank the_contented_child again

PDA vs ODD: What’s the difference?

On the surface, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) can look similar – both involve a young person resisting or refusing demands.

But the why behind the behaviour is very different.
🔹 PDA is rooted in anxiety and the need for control to feel safe.
🔹 ODD is driven more by patterns of anger, irritability, and defiance.

Understanding the difference matters – because how we support a child depends on what’s underneath.

💬 Have you ever wondered whether a child’s resistance is PDA or ODD?

NEWLY AVAILABLE to accompany our series on the topic. Only £3.25 until 7 October 2025.
Misunderstood Defiance: the Vulnerable Child Toolkit for Parents & Educators
Electronic download available at link in comments.

22/09/2025

This toy till might look simple, but in play therapy it has so much meaning. Children use it to practise control, fairness, and relationships in a safe way.

What a toy till can mean in the playroom:
• Control – deciding prices, who buys, and when the till opens.
• Boundaries – learning rules like paying before taking.
• Choice – making small decisions builds confidence.
• Fairness – exploring what’s fair, unfair, and how to repair mistakes.
• Value – thinking about what is “worth a lot” or “worth nothing.”
• Power – trying out being in charge or following rules.
• Trust – practising safe, predictable exchanges.
• Communication – greeting, asking, and negotiating with others.
• Problem solving – giving change, fixing mistakes, or working out new rules.

And so much more

Even everyday toys can help children work through big feelings. That’s the magic of play.

18/09/2025

In my play therapy sessions I often use a timer, and it can be a really helpful tool for children.

• It shows children how long the session will last, so they feel safe and prepared for endings
• It reduces surprises, making transitions smoother
• It gives a gentle warning when time is nearly up
• It helps children understand boundaries in a clear and kind way
• It lets children make choices about how to use their last few minutes, which builds confidence and control

The timer isn’t about rushing. It’s about giving children a predictable structure so they can relax, play, and do the important work of expressing themselves.

11/09/2025

Thanks GAC - The Gloucestershire Assessment Centre

11/09/2025

Anybody want come and help me sort this out sorting out another play therapy kit.