The Play Pod

19/02/2026

P IS FOR PROJECT!

If you have been here a while you may know my dream is to have a Mobile Therapeutic space 🚐

After spending a day with some PT friends and reflecting on the next year I feel it's time to make this dream a reality.

I have companies to do the build, rough budget for the van and build and many ideas for the interior!

Just need to find the funds!

Watch this space 👀

18/02/2026

W IS FOR WHAT!

What I am giving up for lent, therapeutic style ...

As a Play Therapist, Lent makes so much sense to me.

• A sacred container
• Loving limits
• Slow transformation
• Trust in the unseen

In the therapeutic spaces I hold, healing unfolds through the process.

In Lent, the same is true.

Both remind me:

🌿 Growth doesn’t have to be rushed to be real
🌿 Healing happens when control softens
🌿 Deep change is nonlinear and often hidden before it becomes visible
🌿 Limits are not punishment — they create safety for transformation

16/02/2026

M IS FOR MONEY MONDAY!

You charge what?!

I have yet to hear these x 3 words in that tone but is a common census around the PT world!

Let's break down the stigma...

A new feature once a month to share a snapshot of what expenses it takes me to run my Play and Creative Arts Therapy business as a freelance self employed therapist 💙

As a qualified Play and Creative Arts Therapist with PTUK, Supervision and Annual Validation is a key component to ensure I work ethically and within the parameters of my role as a therapist.

Important to keep central when choosing a therapist to work with.

Hope this provides a little bit more information of my role and commitment to the work I do!

11/02/2026

T IS FOR TRAINING!

This month I have been in undated with new CPD opportunities from the comfort of my own home.

Hello flexible working! 👏

Here are a few snapshots of CPD I have taken part in this month:

☑️ Role Affirming Approaches for Supporting Educators
☑️ Treating trauma with IFS therapy
☑️ Adoption themes in Play Therapy
☑️ Polyvagal theory into practice (still on going)!

My CPD is REACTIVE.

Meaning I get to choose:

☑️What interests me
☑️ What is needed for my new clients
☑️ What is needed for me to be upskilled

A wonderful way of choosing training for my own needs and interests that will better the clients I work with 💜

11/02/2026

Y IS FOR YES!

When I read this post, after nearly every sentence I said... YES!

☑️ To more play
☑️ To more movement
☑️ To more breathwork
☑️ To more safety
☑️ To being around co regulator adults

Pretty much everything that Play and Creative Arts is!

An interesting read to reframe what children really need to support their nervous state system 💚



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GNRGorEkA/

I hear it all the time … and I’m not buying it!!

Children today are ‘too sensitive’ … 🙄🤔🤨

What is really happening is the pace of life is fast, and that there nervous systems are overloaded.
(And very often our adult nervous systems too)

Neuroscience now confirms what years in classrooms and homes have already shown me …
When a child is dysregulated they are unable to listen, learn, and make those healthy choices.
This is why we often see those unhelpful and unhealthy choices!!

Emotional literacy isn’t about talking endlessly about feelings, naming each one, or linking it to a colours.
It isn’t about forced yoga or or mindfulness.
It is about helping children recognise what is happening within their bodies and giving them simple, practical ways to regulate annd self-soothe.

The most effective tools right now are
Movement, Breath, Play, and that Safe, strong, consistent adults around them.
And really aiming for much less hustle!!!

Definitely not reward charts, shouting or being told to simply calm down.

At EmotionALL, I work with families and schools using evidence based neuroscience, practical mindfulness, all wrapped in fun activities and games that fit real life.

I’m also a realist.
25 years as a teacher and school leader.
Working class roots.
A Mum, Auntie, Cousin and more!!
And now a business owner and creator of The B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Approach.

I support parents and carers who want to help their children thrive emotionally in every day life.

1:1 kids & teen coaching Packages
Family sessions
School and family consultations.
Courses and training available

All because regulation is learned, and we need to know and teach the ‘how & the why’.

Emotional literacy skills for all!!

10/02/2026

R IS FOR REFRAMING

Another post that has hit the nail on the head when it comes to REFRAMING responses.

This one links to BODY AWARENESS

By becoming:
💙 Curious
💜 Empathic
❤️ Non judgemental

Allows for less:
🩷 Blame
💛 Shame
💚 Understanding 💚

Another interesting read 👀



https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUHveuCDZMe/?igsh=YmF5Nzc3ZDlqNDh0

09/02/2026

S IS FOR SAFETY!

Recently I have come across many posts that have truly resonated with me.

This is one of them...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DROGlpzDrVW/?igsh=Z2VlOGN5Y3FjZ2Vv

It explains about trauma but from a parents perspective.

How children adapt to their environment and becomes a default for their internal world. This knowledge can empower us as parents, teachers and professionals to break this cycle with offering children and young people:

💚 Safety
❤️ Predicability
💜 Co regulation
🩷 Gentle relationships
💛 Environments that lower survival mode

An interesting read 👀

09/02/2026

I IS FOR INSPIRATION!

When I started my business this picture and words really resonated with me.

The Play Pod logo is THIS....

🌸POD is a case (a supported space to allow therapy to unfold)
🌼 PLANT'S SEEDS (the children/young people itself)
🌻SEEDS GROW in groups (the children/young people support system around them)
🌹 POD (nestled within a pod meaning nestled in a trusting, ethical therapeutic relationship)

The Play POD encompasses all of this 👆

A safe therapeutic space where children and young people have the opportunity to grow and heal.

08/02/2026

SH IS FOR SHARING SUNDAY!

Sundays are normally a NON sharing day for me, however this weekend has been pretty significant!

After 16 years of teaching it was time to attack the loft and remove all my teaching resources. Those served it's purpose but it was time to let them go.

I stumbled across a journal I wrote back in 2016 (10 years ago)! 👇

I actually do not remember writing this but funny how things just work out when you set your mind to it. I would say 4/5 things have already been achieved at the start of my Play Therapy career (can you guess which ones 😂).

I would have never dreamed that in the year I turn 40:

☑️ I have a successful Play Therapy business
☑️ Both freelance and outreach work under the self employed umbrella
☑️ Enjoying working with older clients
☑️ Steady stream of income allowing me to go on holidays and choose how I want to live
☑️ A community that really holds empathy and compassion at the core
☑️ Able to do pick ups and schools drops offs and fit these around work

Who would have thought it?!

07/02/2026

SH IS FOR SHARING SATURDAY!

A great image to share about our nervous system states and how best to support them from Synergetic Play Therapy Institute .

Being aware is the first step.

What does my body need in this moment?



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AYuctu9NX/

Primal Trust Academy & Community with Dr. Cathleen King 🧡

05/02/2026

S IS FOR STICKERS!

The power of stickers holds so much value therapeutically!

💜 Explore theme of food avoidances
🩵 Communication between characters or experiences
❤️ If this picture had a voice what would it say? What does it need?
💚 Explore theme of food tolerance or allergies
💛 Comic strips to explore relationships, past experiences or events
💙 Relationship with food
... Plus I'm sure, so much more!

04/02/2026

P IS FOR PROCESSING!

Have you heard of different learning styles?

👀 Visual?
👂Auditory?
🏋️‍♂️ Kinesestic?

This was the go to when training a very long time ago in teaching. Cater for all, is it V, A, K?

However times have changed and now there are 8 different ways highlighted how we all process information but can also be applied to learning styles too.

Without an understanding to these, it maybe difficult to address what the child (or us, let's face it!) need.

I ❤️ this visual from The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy which gives clear information on x 8 processing types and common signs to look out for.



https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLD1GS3s2/

From next Monday 9 February, we’re diving into something many parents and educators hear about but don’t always get clearly explained — the 8 sensory systems.

Sensory processing isn’t just about being “sensitive to noise” or “liking to fidget.” It’s about how a child’s brain receives, organises and responds to information from their body and the world around them. When we understand this, behaviour starts to make a lot more sense.

Next week we’ll gently unpack each sensory system, what it does, and how it can show up in everyday life at home and in school. If you’ve ever thought “Why does my child react so strongly to that?” — this series is for you.

Save this so you can follow along, and share with someone who might find it helpful.