Ages & Stages Play Therapy

26/09/2023

Great news! Our Supporting children with anxiety webinar is back and better than ever!

Topics discussed will be:
What is anxiety and how does it present?
Understanding the anxious brain- the science part!
Practical strategies to support your child.
Therapeutic play activities that will help to regulate your child's body and mind.
Self- awareness around our response to the anxious child.
Q& A
Recording available for those who cannot make the date!

Link in bio!

15/08/2023

A Tuesday Tip! ...

Visual Ques.... Sometimes we can underestimate the power of visual aids within our home. They are often linked more so with classrooms and such. We know that children's learning is highly supported through interactive activities and visual aids.
With that said, we've had a lot of "end of summer big feelings" in our house recently between going on holidays, illnesses, lack of solid routine- there's been big feelings at every turn. I decided to put together a little inspiration board around mindful moments for my 6 year old in particular to have as a visual prompt to use when needed. We've included some affirmations on it also to set the day off on the right foot. She absolutely loves it! 😍🥲 Which showed me she's probably craving some zen and some routine again.
The aim is always to support regulation but also to help re-learn any healthy habits that may have gotten lost over the hectic summer!

We also put together a little morning visual aid to help overcome any battles in getting ready for the day, it's worked a charm! 😉

Would love to hear you're thoughts on using visuals at home...

therapist 💫🌈

12/02/2023

Praise plays an important role in growing your child's confidence and self esteem.
When we praise a child we help them to recognise something they might be good at or something they have done well and thus enabling them to feel proud!
It also helps build positive self talk! 🤗🥰

02/11/2022

Very excited to announce this upcoming webinar!
From my own experience as a child therapist the most common difficulty that comes up again and again is anxiety. This webinar will be useful for parents, carers and anyone who works with children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old.

Join me on the 23rd of November to discuss:

-What is anxiety and how does it present itself?
- The neuroscience of an anxious brain (what's going on, on the inside!)
- Strategies to support.
- Therapeutic Play activities that are useful
- Bringing awareness to the adult's response to the anxious child.

The talk will be recorded for those who cannot make the date but would like to book.
If you have any queries or would like to book in just pop me a DM!

Hope to see some of you there! 😊🌈💫

15/07/2022

Heading into the weekend with this in mind...

13/01/2022

We can tell a child or adult who is struggling that they are safe, that everything will be OK and give them all the reassurance humanly possible but only if they feel that on a deep emotional level, logic and reason alone won't work.
Actions speak louder than words. Being consistent, emotionally available and present (not just physically present) can make a world of difference with how one feels inside. Relationship plays a major part in healing. If we feel seen and heard within a relationship we feel a sense of safety and safety to explore deeper emotions.

One "MUST HAVE" when starting a new client as a play therapist, is that the client has what we call a supportive ally. Someone that is there for them and is capable of supporting them physically and emotionally and through the whole therapeutic journey, whatever might arise. 💕

21/11/2021

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15/11/2021

Be Kind and be Playful 🤗... Such a heart warming message ❤🌈

Ms Edel Lawlor is the founder and director of Expressive Play. This is a hugely successful Child, Adolescent, and Training & Therapy Centre in Ireland.Ms Law...

25/09/2021

Repost from

Love that the focus is not on physical movement here but on emotional and cognitive fatigue.
We often hear people say "I/ They haven't done anything all day, why so tired?!" Just because we can't see a person doing something that is physically tasking does not mean they haven't done anything and they can't be tired.
When one is emotionally or cognitively fatigued, brain chemistry is at play. For example changes in the levels of Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine occur when one is dealing with depression. These chemicals in the brain play roles in sleep, motivation, appetite and energy levels so that person IS genuinely fatigued!
So, next time think 💭💭 before judging 😊


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24/09/2021

Credit for this illustration:

Communication is so important for connection and relationship. In Play Therapy, the therapeutic relationship is key to providing a place where one can heal and overcome difficulties and challenges. In play therapy, play is often the form of communication, talk can be too. If conversation is involved though, it's good to have the same language though right?!
ISL is an expressive language using hand signs, body language and facial expressions. If you know the alphabet in ISL, its a good start to navigating a brief conversation with a deaf person. (It's obviously not an alternative to actually taking classes and learning sign but its a start!) At least you might be able to communicate and relate to those who's first language is ISL. Why not start with learning how to spell your name? It's OK if you make a mistake, it's the effort that counts! Give it a go, what have you got to lose! 🤷🏼‍♀️👌👍💙

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02/09/2021

What exactly is attachment??
"Attachment can be defined as a deep and enduring emotional bond between two people in which each seeks closeness and feels more secure in the presence of the attachment figure" (www.simplypsychology.com)

We can be one or more of these attachments styles at any given time. It's useful to know which style we are when it comes to our relationships with others 🥰
* A little disclaimer, attachment style isnt solely linked with HOW one was parented, it can be linked to circumstances or events in ones early life example loss if a care giver.

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31/08/2021

So important for anyone working with children and even parents to be aware of how trauma can look like other diagnosis. As the adults in their system we should stop and look at the bigger picture and avoid shame or judgement towards behaviours in children.
** Behaviour = Communication 🙌
Trauma Informed Care is something I would love to see more of in school and child care settings. Trauma training for other professionals working with children would mean better support and more appropriate interventions for children and families! ❤❤

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