The Diabetic Play Therapist

24/12/2025

As the festive season unfolds, things can feel a little different when you’re managing diabetes.

Gentle reminders to move at your own pace, make the adjustments you need, and meet yourself with compassion along the way ✨

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 💙

14/11/2025

🌍 World Diabetes Day: Honouring the Emotional Journey

Today shines a light on families living with Type 1 Diabetes, not just the medical routines but the emotional load that comes with it.

For many children, diabetes doesn’t just change daily rhythms; it can shape how safe, confident, and in control they feel in their world. For parents, the constant vigilance can bring worry, overwhelm, and exhaustion.

In Play Therapy, I witness the emotional stories children carry beneath the surface:
• the frustration of always checking sugars
• the fear of sudden changes
• the desire to feel just like everyone else
• the bravery it takes to keep going
• the deep need for understanding, comfort, and space to play freely

Play becomes a place where children can explore these experiences safely, where they can express big feelings, build resilience, and reconnect with a sense of joy and control. Parents deserve spaces that acknowledge the weight they hold and the strength they show every single day.

Today, we recognise:
• children navigating big emotions with incredible courage
• parents balancing care with compassion for themselves
• siblings adapting with kindness
• the quiet moments of worry that often go unseen
• the resilience that shows up in small but powerful ways

Your emotional world matters just as much as the numbers.

10/09/2025

💙 Diabetes burnout is real 💙
With type 1 diabetes, there is no pause button and no breaks. The daily care is constant. That is why it is so important to find ways to ease the weight, even when you cannot step away.

Here are some gentle supports:

✨ Practical
Use tech (CGMs, pumps, reminders) to take some pressure off.

Share tasks with family when you can.

Keep “easy diabetes days” ready with simple meals and snacks, carb counted and ready to go.

✨ Emotional

Say it out loud: “I’m in burnout.” Naming it reduces guilt.

Connect with others who get it. Support groups or therapy can help.

Remember: “Good enough” care is still care.

✨ Rest and Reset
Take 5-minute breaks: breathe, stretch, step outside.

Do something that brings you joy: music, art, journaling, walking etc.

💡 Burnout does not mean you are failing. It means you have been carrying too much, for too long. You deserve support, kindness, and gentleness today and every day.

📌 Disclaimer: This post is for general support and information. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are struggling, please reach out to your healthcare team or a trusted professional.

11/04/2025

🌟Tired of emotional ups and downs?🌟
Not sure how to help with big feelings?
Is life just a bit too overwhelming as a parent right now?

Well, now there’s… The Play Therapist Doll – Aoife Edition!

She’s fuelled by tea, powered by purpose, and always ready with her trusty iPad for session notes and connecting with her community online.

This doll comes complete with:
💕A floor cushion for getting grounded and ready to play and support at the client’s level

💕A stack of therapy books – because she’s always learning to better support the families she works with

💕A banana snack (or two) between sessions to keep her fuelled throughout the day

💕A glucose monitor – because living with type 1 diabetes is part of her everyday

💕A pocket full of blocks – for creativity, connection, and those familiar “where-did-that-come-from?” moments

But wait — there’s more!

This doll isn’t just cute – she’s got the tools and training to match.
At Inner Path Play Therapy, Aoife offers:
🌈 Play Therapy for children aged 4–13
🧘‍♀️ Creative Mindfulness to support emotional regulation and self-awareness
(Exciting announcements coming soon – stay tuned!)

So if you’re looking for support that’s rooted in play, grounded in care, and filled with creativity –
Try The Play Therapist Doll – Aoife Edition
Available exclusively at Inner Path Play Therapy

Disclaimer: This Doll is not real – but the play, the passion, and the support definitely are.

Post inspired by many other fabulous therapists and creators.

08/03/2025

Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women managing Type 1 Diabetes—whether for themselves, their child, or others in their lives. 💙
Your strength, resilience, and unwavering support make an impact every single day. Today, we celebrate the women who inspire, nurture, and empower, showing us that each challenge is an opportunity for growth and connection.

23/02/2025

🌟 We’ve been Nominated! 😱🌟

I’m so excited to share that my practice Inner Path Play Therapy has been nominated for the Family Edit Award, recognising family-friendly businesses that go above and beyond for the community in Ireland!

Nominations close this Thursday, 27th February, and I would really appreciate any shares and votes to help spread the word about play therapy, mental health for families experiencing type 1 diabetes and emotional well-being.

How to vote:
1️⃣ Click the link: (link in bio)
https://thefamilyedit.ie/nominations/
2️⃣ Scroll to Support & Services (at the bottom of the list)
3️⃣ Type: Inner Path Play Therapy
4️⃣ Enter your email, click submit – and boom, you’ve voted!

Reaching nearly six months in business, I already feel so grateful for the families I’ve had the privilege to work with. To be nominated by one of them means the world, and to be included alongside so many incredible businesses I truly admire is an honour. Thank you so much for your support! Grá Aoife💕

18/02/2025

Play Therapy is a form of therapy designed to provide a safe space where children can explore thoughts and feelings and make sense of the world around them. Here’s some of the ways how child-centred play therapy supports a child’s process:✨Expression Beyond Words: Children communicate through play, art, and other non-verbal means, allowing them to process experiences that words alone may be unable to express.✨Child-Led Process: The child directs their play, allowing them to go at their own pace and choose activities that resonate with them, fostering self-discovery and empowerment.✨Supportive Therapeutic Environment: With a trained therapist, children experience unconditional acceptance, helping them feel safe to explore difficult emotions on a conscious and unconscious level.✨Emotional resilience: The process nurtures emotional resilience, helping children develop self-esteem and healthy coping strategies.✨Healing and Growth: Child-centred play therapy allows children to communicate and heal in a supportive, therapeutic environment where they lead their journey at their own pace.

01/01/2025

🌟Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025 🌟

2024 was a year of incredible milestones. Opening my private practice not only fulfilled a long-held dream but also allowed me to launch The Diabetic Play Therapist. This passion project, inspired by my own experiences with type 1 diabetes, focuses on supporting families through the emotional and psychological challenges of diagnosis and daily life.

Although The Diabetic Play Therapist is still in its early days, I am so grateful for the support I’ve received so far. Your encouragement fuels my vision to grow this platform and create programs, workshops, and online resources that will provide meaningful support to families in the future.

As we step into 2025, I am committed to continuing this work, building on what we’ve started, and reaching more families in need.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, joyful, and abundant year ahead!

22/12/2024

🎄 A Heartfelt Christmas with Type 1 Diabetes: Embracing the Season Together🎄

The holidays can stir up so many emotions for families living with type 1 diabetes. Excitement, joy, and wonder mix with moments of worry, frustration, or feeling “different.” It’s okay to hold space for it all. ❤️

This Christmas, let’s focus on what truly matters:

✨ Connection – Share moments of love, laughter, and togetherness with your family.

✨ Compassion – Be gentle with yourself and your child. Navigating the highs and lows (emotionally and physically) is no small feat.

✨ Memories – Lean into traditions, big or small, that bring comfort and joy.

Tip:
Create a “calm moment” each day, where you pause together to breathe, share how you’re feeling, or simply enjoy a quiet festive activity like watching the twinkling lights. 🌟

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Every emotion is valid, and every step forward is a gift. ❤️

What’s one special way your family connects during the holidays? Share below – I’d love to hear! 🎅💬

10/12/2024

Thank you for visiting The Diabetic Play Therapist. My goal is to raise awareness and create meaningful supports for children and families in the type 1 diabetes community. As someone living with type 1 diabetes for over 20 years, as well as a Play Therapist and Creative Mindfulness Practitioner, I’m deeply passionate about mental health and emotional well-being. These are topics that don’t get enough attention for young diabetics and their families in Ireland, and I’m determined to change that by fostering community and building resources.

To help make this vision a reality, I need your input. I’ve created a short survey, and if you could take a few minutes to complete it, I would be incredibly grateful. Thank you for your support! 💙

This is a Market Research Survey As a play therapist and creative mindfulness practitioner who personally lives with Type 1 Diabetes, I understand first hand the emotional and mental health challenges that come with managing this condition. My own journey with diabetes has deepened my empathy and co...

10/12/2024

🌟 Living with Type One Diabetes: How It Shapes My Emotional Resilience 🌟

Managing type one diabetes isn’t just about balancing blood sugars or counting carbs—it’s a constant journey of growth, patience, and learning to adapt. 💙

There are tough days when my body feels like it has its own agenda. But in those moments, I’ve discovered something incredible: resilience. 💪 Diabetes has taught me to listen to my body, to approach setbacks with self-compassion, and to celebrate even the smallest victories. 🎉
It’s made me more empathetic toward others, more forgiving of myself, and more mindful of how I prioritise my well-being. This resilience isn’t just about managing diabetes—it’s a skill I take into every area of my life.

If you’d like to share your experiences and insights, check out the market research link in my bio. https://forms.gle/Vb23UTZjsnipYGqY8

Together, we can create a community of support and growth. 💙