Pear Trees and Bees

05/03/2026

Note to self and other stressed parents on this lovely creative world book day: the costume your child wears is no reflection on the parent you are! 😂 📖

23/02/2026

No one is connecting the dots on SEND. More and more children need extra support with school - but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with our children. The problem is a school system that lacks flexibility, and which can’t accommodate the many different ways in which children learn and develop. The problem is a system which sees 'behaviour' as something to be punished, rather than feedback on a situation that isn't working.

We have a school system that prioritises test results over developmental needs, that favours control over autonomy and in which there is little time and space for meaningful relationships between adults and children. It turns too many children into failures, measuring them against a narrow academic benchmark. It punishes them for minor misdemeanours and teaches them that learning is mostly about doing what you’re told. It prioritises attendance over meaningful engagement.

Then when children show us that this doesn’t work, we say there’s something wrong with them. We say they need to attend more, try harder, put more effort in. And when that doesn’t work, then the system says they must have SEND, because why else would they need something different?

Of course SEND costs are rising, because the school system isn’t fit for the children it serves. We need an education system that start the goal of with providing what children need to thrive, not with ‘driving up standards’ or ‘100% attendance’.

More play for the younger ones. More autonomy for the older ones. More diversity of opportunity. More focus on relationships. And an emphasis on interest-led learning and finding purpose, rather than on tests and exams. It's not rocket science.

For the more you put the pressure on to get those standards up, the more of our children are squashed in the process.

14/02/2026

Client Testimonials: sharing with permission from some clients who have recently ended - as I always say I feel very greatful to be trusted to be part of their journey and believe in supporting the whole family.

“Warm, friendly and passionate.”

Amy is a warm, friendly and passionate therapist who communicates openly and honestly. She was incredibly sensitive to our son’s needs and always offered balanced, considered and pragmatic advice. We felt completely comfortable discussing very sensitive and emotive issues with her.

When I asked my son what he would miss about play therapy, he said, “Everything.”

“Amy has been our rock.”

I am so grateful to have found Pear Trees & Bees. Amy has been our rock through a traumatic time. My child bonded quickly with her and looked forward to his weekly sessions.

I also developed a wonderful relationship with Amy and felt able to reach out for parenting advice between sessions. She was always approachable, kind, considerate and empathetic — just to name a few qualities. Her advice was exceptional and never once judgemental.

I truly feel that our whole family has been supported throughout this experience. Amy is amazing and I will miss her very much.

“Kindness and compassion every step of the way.”

Amy guided me through each difficulty with kindness and compassion. I would 100% recommend her — and already have. It has been a wonderful experience.

13/02/2026

My Friday afternoon dog walk is always a welcome time to reflect on my week, honestly feel so lucky to be a play therapist and am so proud of the children as I witness their progress ❤️

10/02/2026

Always hard to navigate as it’s constantly evolving- let’s help our children be safe online by exploring with them

The internet is part of children’s world, just like school, home and play.
Our responsibility is to help children explore it with support, curiosity and care, creating environments where questions are welcomed and worries are shared.
Open conversations build safer online experiences.

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04/02/2026

This year, we are taking a global tour 🌍 and we want to see your healing space. We have Pear Tree and Bees playroom based in Wiltshire, UK.

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01/02/2026

Play is a child’s natural language: Spaces for play therapy available, is your child struggling at the moment? Please get in touch to see if play therapy can help, for children 3-12 years old www.peartreesandbees.co.uk amy@peartreesandbees.co.uk

27/01/2026

Voting for the film in the Charity Film Awards ends this week. 🐘

Please vote for our animated film by visiting: smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/room-for-an-elephant

Thank you💛

22/01/2026

Empathic understanding, congruence, acceptance, and unconditional positive regard are just some of the core conditions offered by the therapist. Once a trusting relationship is established, the child’s ability to lead becomes central, empowering them to drive change from within. This process is profoundly powerful, and I am continually in awe as I witness each child’s journey and see just how remarkable every child truly is.

08/01/2026

I have some available coming up in February. Please contact me for more information www.peartreesandbees.co.uk

06/01/2026

Axline believed that children, when offered a safe, accepting and permissive therapeutic space, naturally move towards healing and growth. Her non-directive, child-centred approach gave children permission to communicate their inner world through play – their most natural language – rather than words alone.

Her core principles still sit at the heart of ethical Play Therapy practice today:

🧸 Unconditional positive regard
🧸 Deep respect for the child’s autonomy
🧸 Trust in the child’s innate capacity to heal
🧸 Play as meaningful communication, not “just play”

At British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT), these principles continue to guide evidence-based, trauma-informed practice that supports children to process experiences, build emotional resilience, and develop a stronger sense of self – at their own pace, in their own way.

Axline reminded us that “the child leads, the therapist follows” – a philosophy that remains as powerful and relevant today as it was when she first articulated it.

💚 Play is not an extra.
💚 Play is not a reward.
💚 Play is the work.