Children may have difficulty in adjusting when growing up and may need help in some areas. Psychological difficulties or overwhelming emotions at a young age can alter or arrest a child’s development; and as it is challenging for children to talk about feelings, they will develop mechanisms that defend against psychic pain and may act out these feelings.

For children, play is their language and toys are their words so in play therapy children are provided with toys in a safe space to ‘say’ what they are feeling and express their distressing emotions. Through play therapy, defenses can be dismantled to allow for distressing feelings to be managed and for new experiences to develop. Playing out these feelings can help children to feel understood and allows them to learn how to express their thoughts and feelings in constructive ways to gain a sense of mastery.

While working with children, Siobhán works closely with parents offering support with parenting difficulties and developing parenting skills. When required, she will also work with teachers, significant others and health care professionals.