Child Therapy Toolbox

Child Therapy Toolbox Clinical Psychologist Lauren Snailham & Delyce Knowles have created therapeutic tools to teach and empower children to identify and express their emotions.

Children often find it difficult to identify and express their emotions so when they experience uncomfortable feelings they tend to act out or internalise them. Not knowing how to express their emotions appropriately can lead to consequences such as: bullying, aggression, hyperactivity, learning problems, soiling, bed-wetting, anxiety, obsessions, sleep problems, nightmares, eating problems, wit

hdrawal and depression. Child Therapy Toolbox provides tools that can be used to by therapists, teachers and parents to educate, empower and help children begin to heal. The products have all been tried and tested in therapy, in the classroom and by parents. Individually and in group settings. Products include: therapeutic story books,
charts, games, puppets, puzzles and much more. All created to help children identify emotions, learn appropriate ways of expressing them and to address some difficult issues they may be facing in a non-threatening and playful way. We also run workshops for parents and educators on a variety of relevant topics. Please see www.therapeuticstories for more information and to view our products.

Self-worth isn’t something we can tell children…it’s something they need to experience.Try this drawing activity:🌱 Draw ...
21/04/2026

Self-worth isn’t something we can tell children…
it’s something they need to experience.

Try this drawing activity:

🌱 Draw a plant that represents YOU
🌿 Roots – what supports you
🌱 Stem – what keeps you going
🍃 Leaves – what others see
☀️ Sun & rain – what helps you grow (even the hard things)

This shifts the focus from
“I have to be good enough” → “I am growing”

A gentle way to help children see themselves as more than just their achievements 🌈

I’ll be sharing more drawing-based tools like this but in greater detail in Friday’s ‘Understanding Children’s Drawings’ online workshop. If you haven’t registered, there’s still time. Email laurensnailham@yahoo.com 😊

FINAL REMINDER TO REGISTER 😊HPCSA accredited online workshop (7 cpd points for psychologists)‘Understanding Children’s D...
19/04/2026

FINAL REMINDER TO REGISTER 😊

HPCSA accredited online workshop (7 cpd points for psychologists)

‘Understanding Children’s Drawings’ online workshop

‘Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.’ Eileen Miller

Children’s drawings are a very powerful therapeutic tool! They provide a window into a child’s world, their thoughts, feelings, dreams, desires, fears and so much more.

We cannot take drawings at face value and attach meanings without taking all things into consideration. This is one of the many reasons why we need to have a more informed and educated approach to drawings and their use in therapy.

If you would like to learn more and go on this journey of discovering the mystery and brilliance of drawing in therapy, then join me 😊

This workshop will be jam packed with researched information and practical exercises. It will be an amazing day of sharing and learning.

Date: 24 April 2026
Time: 8 - 4pm (SAST)
Cost: R1100
Online

Email laurensnailham@yahoo.com to register 😊

What children show in play… often tells us more than words ever could.Children don’t always say:“I’m anxious”“I’m overwh...
13/04/2026

What children show in play… often tells us more than words ever could.

Children don’t always say:
“I’m anxious”
“I’m overwhelmed”

But they do show us.

Through play, you might notice:
• Repetition
• Hiding or burying
• Building or destroying
• Creating stories

This isn’t random.

👉 It’s communication.

Play is how children:
Process
Express
Make sense of their world

And when we begin to notice these patterns with curiosity rather than judgement…

We begin to understand our children more deeply.

💛

What have you noticed in your child’s play?

✨ The kind of self-care no one talks about ✨Self-care isn’t always what we see online.It’s not always:• Time alone• Doin...
12/04/2026

✨ The kind of self-care no one talks about ✨

Self-care isn’t always what we see online.

It’s not always:
• Time alone
• Doing something relaxing
• Having everything feel calm

Sometimes…

Self-care looks like:
• Pausing before you react
• Taking a breath when you feel overwhelmed
• Choosing connection instead of control
• Repairing after a hard moment

Because parenting is not just about raising a child…

It’s about managing everything that comes up in you along the way.

And that’s not easy.

But when you begin to understand yourself -
your triggers, your patterns, your responses -

You don’t just change your experience…

👉 You change your child’s experience too.

💛

What does self-care look like for you right now?

I’d love to hear from you 🤍When I run workshops, I always try to base them around what parents, teachers, and caregivers...
11/04/2026

I’d love to hear from you 🤍

When I run workshops, I always try to base them around what parents, teachers, and caregivers are actually needing support with.

Because every child is different…
And so are the challenges we face with them.

So I’m curious -

👉 What are you finding most challenging right now?

It could be:
• Big emotions
• Behaviour
• Anxiety
• Connection
• Something else entirely

If you feel comfortable, you’re welcome to share below.

It really helps me shape content, tools, and workshops that are meaningful and relevant 🤍

Connection helps children feel safe…But they still need a way to show you what’s inside.When a child can’t find the word...
09/04/2026

Connection helps children feel safe…

But they still need a way to show you what’s inside.

When a child can’t find the words, try this:

🖍️ The Worry Page

Ask:
“Can you draw what your worry looks like?”

Let them:
• Choose colours for each feeling
• Draw freely (no right or wrong)

Then stay with them.

Not to fix.
Not to solve.

Just to notice… and listen.

Because when feelings go onto paper…

They feel less overwhelming.

And a little easier to hold.

This is one of the many simple, powerful tools we use in expressive therapy work 🌈

If you’re wanting more ideas like this, I’ll be sharing them in my upcoming workshops 💛

Save this for when worries feel big

08/04/2026

You don’t always have to remove the worry… sometimes you can help a child reshape it 🌪️🌸












DONT FORGET TO REGISTER!!!!The previous Overloaded Child workshop had over 150 parents and teachers attend, all looking ...
07/04/2026

DONT FORGET TO REGISTER!!!!

The previous Overloaded Child workshop had over 150 parents and teachers attend, all looking to better understand why so many children today seem overwhelmed, dysregulated, or struggling to cope 🥺

Due to the strong interest, I will be running the workshop again for those who missed it.

We explore:
• What overload in children actually looks like
• How stress affects the brain and behaviour
• More constructive ways to respond and support children

The Overloaded Child – Online Workshop

📅 15 April 2026
⏰ 7:00–8:30pm
💰 R200 per person

Presented by Lauren Snailham, Clinical Psychologist

To register:
📧 laurensnailham@yahoo.com

07/04/2026

Connection doesn’t take extra time…

It lives in the small moments.

A name.
A glance.
A quiet check-in.

These are the moments that help children feel safe enough to learn.

Save this for your week ahead 🤍

And send it to a teacher who needs this reminder 😊

✨ 5 Minutes That Change Everything ✨Connection comes before cooperation.Before the lessons.Before the expectations.Befor...
06/04/2026

✨ 5 Minutes That Change Everything ✨

Connection comes before cooperation.

Before the lessons.
Before the expectations.
Before the routines…

Take 5 minutes.

Look at each child.
Make eye contact.
Let them feel that you see them.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.

It can be small moments:
• In the corridor
• Before break
• As the class settles

Because when children feel seen and safe…

They settle.
They engage.
They learn.

Send this to a teacher who needs this 💛

Activity idea 2 💡 & upcoming workshop 🌈✨ TRY THIS IN YOUR NEXT SESSION ✨Big feelings can feel scary… until we give them ...
03/04/2026

Activity idea 2 💡 & upcoming workshop 🌈

✨ TRY THIS IN YOUR NEXT SESSION ✨

Big feelings can feel scary… until we give them a face.

👾 Draw a “Feeling Monster”

Suddenly:
– anger becomes something we can talk to
– anxiety becomes something we can understand
– emotions feel less overwhelming

We’re not getting rid of the monster…
We’re getting curious about it.

💛 That’s where the magic happens.

If you’d like to join the next ‘Understanding Children’s Drawings’ online workshop where practical tools and activities form a big part of the learning - email laurensnailham@yahoo.com or put your email in the comments 😊

UPCOMING ONLINE WORKSHOPS for therapists ☀️Children don’t all speak the same “language” in therapy.Some show us through ...
02/04/2026

UPCOMING ONLINE WORKSHOPS for therapists ☀️

Children don’t all speak the same “language” in therapy.

Some show us through drawing 🖍️
Some through play 🧸🚗
Some through sand, LEGO, or nature 🌳🏜️

The more ways we can meet them, the deeper the work can go.

These experiential workshops are designed to expand your therapeutic toolkit - giving you practical, creative approaches you can use immediately in the therapy room.

Because when we widen our approach, we strengthen the bridge between a child’s inner world and our understanding.

📧 Email laurensnailham@yahoo.com for more info or to register 😊

Feel free to share with colleagues who may be interested.











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